Checking a Dog's Health.

1. A healthy dog takes a keen interest in the world about him. He's lively, inquisitive, and his movement is free from discomfort. His eyes should be clear, and have a sparkle. His coat should have a lustre to it.
2. He should be ready for his food at meal time, and relish what he is eating. His nose should be shiny, and moist. And his overall demeanor should be one of soundness and vitality.
3. The nose , ears and eyes: Her nose should be dampish and clean. There should be no discharge, crusting,runniness,or frequent sneezing. The eyes should be bright, clear and free from any type of discharge. There should be no swelling or redness.
4. The should not drag her ears along the ground, shake her head or scratch them frequently. There should be no odour from the ear, no discharge, debris or dirt residing in the inner ear.
5. The teeth and mouth: His breath should not be unpleasantly odious. The gums, inner mouth and tongue should be a healthy shade of pink. There should be no traces of blood coming from the gums. Coughing, gagging and vomiting are obvious reasons to contact your veterinary surgery.
6. Movement: She should move freely. Limping, stiffness, or any unwillingness to move indicate problems. Stumbling, trembling and a generalised lethargy are also obvious warning signs.
7. Coat and skin:The loss of hair, wounds, constant licking/biting/scratching. Any lumps, bumps, abrasions. All of these need your attention.
8. Any breathing difficulties, evidence of parasites or signs of blood in the stool? Does the stool's colour and consistency seem normal?
9. Is he straining to urinate, is the colour unusual, has it become much more frequent?
10. Has your dog lost weight? Is there any change in how much water he's drinking?
11. Has his intake of food altered? Does he appear agitated, depressed? Would you say that he is his normal self?

Your dog can't tell you if he's got a problem, and many dogs seem to soldier on even when quite ill. So being able to recognise when your dog's problems began. And what those symptoms are. Is going to help you, to help your vet, to reach a quick and reliable diagnosis. And a happy outcome.

Regular veterinary health checks for your dog are also advisable. Be sure to build a good relationship with the person who you are going to entrust with your dog's health. Why not........