Guide to
Dog Health Problem status

Whether your dog has a health problem or not is not always easy to decide. You are probably the first person to get suspicious that something might be wrong.

Knowing what signs to look for is important.

You will get to know when to call your veterinary and exactly what information to pass on to him or her.

This is a frequent symptom when your dog get a health problem. Normal behavior changes and often energy disappears. Your dog should be as normal and have usual amount of energy. Out for a walk should be the best and make the eyes of your dog sparkle. Changes in energy level should always be a cause of concern.

Temperature

Tired? Measure the temperature as this is basic information as in humans. The temperature can varies form dog to dog. Try to measure it when your dog is healthy to find out what's normal. Best to take temperature in the bottom (rectum). Feeling strange about doing this? I am sorry as this is the best place. The mouth or ears is not useful. The temperature should be below 39,5 C (103 F).

Be aware that not always the temperature raise even with severe infections. I often see normal temperature in womb infections!! Even if the dog is quite ill.

Appetite

The appetite should be normal. Your dog will probably eat every day. Not all dogs are like that (Inez eats every other day for the most!). Look after the normal pattern when dog health are perfect. React if appetite increases or decreases. Often acute disease suddenly decrease the appetite.

Thirst

The amount of water your dog is drinking is important. Again, look for the pattern. Sometimes it is important to know the exact amount of water, but you do not need to measure this routinely. If needed, your veterinarian will let you know. Generally a dog needs 500ml/10 kg (20 pounds) a day

Look after the big picture. How often do you normally have to add water to his bowel. How often does your dog drink water. Is he drinking frequent but small sips? Or it could be less frequent, but bigger amounts water every time?

Often I use questions as “Is water intake as normal?” or “If you compare 6 months ago, would you say is the same or has there been any changes?”. Both serve to find changes in the dogs “drinking pattern” to make conclusions about dog health problem

Vomiting and diarrhea

This is not normal. When it happens then notice frequency and how it looks. This is true for both ends! Often your vet will ask you for how long is has been a problem. If there is any sign of blood? Very important for you to notice is your dog's energy. Very tired? Could be more serious. Normal, well probably not so bad then.

Weight

Weight is very important. If weight is changing without any reason it is a warning. Especially loosing weight is important to notice and is always a reason to contact your veterinarian. Sometimes weight loss is the only clinical sign. Or it can be in combination with vomiting or diarrhea. Most important for you to notice, would be how fast your dog is loosing weight.

Gaining weight is a warning too. Obesity in dogs is too common and can be a sign of hormonal diseases. But in the majority obesity is because of too much food. It is a warning because it will cause dog health problems later! Deal with the obesity problem NOW!

The outside, skin and hair

Hair coat should be shiny and the skin without any signs of infections or redness. The fur easily loose its luster when your dog has a health problem. Look for dandruff. Itching, redness and your dog's tendency to bite or lick certain areas on the legs or body. What is normal for your dog? Any changes? Is he loosing too much hair? Any spots or areas without any hair coat at all? How does it feel? More greasy or dry. Is it more smelly than before?

Be aware of the coat changes you see after neutering your dog. Mostly the female get changes after the operation and is to be considered a normal change. Probably your vet have told you this all ready

Bad breath...

Bad breath is very often caused by tartar on the teeth. Look especially on the biggest tooth in the upper gum. Often the tartar and plaque starts here. The teeth should be white and the gums should have a light pink color.



Other causes of bad smell form the mouth is tonsillitis or diseases form the stomach. In old dogs the kidneys can play a big role as well

Be prepared to answer questions regarding vomiting, water intake, appetite and so on. If no cause is apparent, maybe change the diet can help. Feed your dog a different diet and see if the smell gets any better after some weeks

It is important to have good hygiene in the mouth. Many bacterias can enter the blood from the mouth and cause dog health problem. Old dogs having bad teeth and infected gums can have second youth after the mouth health is restored.

Moving around

Is it easy to get up or is it a struggle? I hope it is easy. It should be. Running, moving around, jumping into the car and walking on all four legs is normal for a healthy dog.

Do you have a young dog? Any tendency to lameness, especially in the front legs, is important to examine. OD in the elbows has to be corrected as soon as possible after it is recognized. Sudden hind leg lameness in older dogs after playing; Can be ligaments in the knee.

Many different reasons behind lameness. Tonsillitis, parasitic diseases, growth disturbances or infection in the anal glands. Just to name a few.

This x ray is from a young dog patient. Look at the lower arrow and you see premature closure of the growth plate. Very important to correct this ASAP.

I had a patient which came to my clinic with a history of acute lameness on hind legs. It turned out to be severe infection in the womb. It died shortly after – I could not save it!!

My point! Many reasons behind lameness. Bette to call your veterinarian if you are in any doubt!

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