What are the visable signs of a good health in dog?
December 28, 2009 by admin
Filed under Dog Health
Shiny coat, bright eyes, etc. What else? What would a vet look for it if had to determine whether a dog was in good health or not?
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Proper weight, good gum colour, good teeth, good activity level, no obvious smell in the ears or on the dog in general.
Shiny coats aren’t always the good sign. Some breeds aren’t meant to have shiny coats, rather coarse ones that are duller. But generally this is a good rule of thumb.
Also, if a dog isn’t fat and the belly is pudgy, stay away. Usually a sign of worms!
A dog in good health will:
-Most likely have a shiny coat
-Will have clear eyes
-Will be the right active amount/playfulness for their breed
-Won’t be overweight or underweight
-Have confident, happy body signals
-Walk straight
-Be able to lay down and get up without much hassle or pain
-Generally won’t be eating dirt, rocks, etc. (Usual sign of lack of nutrition)
-Has all their vaccinations and stay current
-Doesn’t go to the vet often (will have to be on records)
Those are the main guidelines. From there you can look at what the breed is supposed to be like, and then if they are acting different you can tell there is something wrong. If it’s a mutt, just follow those rules.
Good luck!
EDIT:
Kip’s Mom is also extremely accurate. I forgot gums and smell. The gums should be a lighter color, if they are extremely flushed and red then it means the dog is dehydrated. Look at the teeth, too. If there is a lot of tartar and plaque, you can bet he can have a disease related to the teeth or you’ll pay a couple hundred for a teeth scrape. A smell can mean an infection so make sure the dog smells like a normal dog and not stinky, especially when coming from the ears.
I know that a way to tell if a dog is hydrated is to grab the skin on the back of it’s neck, and pull it (not like yank it, just tug it back gently) and let go. If it takes too long for the skin to go back to the way it was before you touched it, it is dehydrated.
Good body condition, good skin/coat condition, clean ears, bright eyes, healthy teeth and gums … and also the dog’s demeanor. A sick or poorly-cared-for dog will often have a sad, depressed, lethargic demeanor.
Gums and teeth like Kip’s mom said ^.
Their bowel movements are a good visible sign.
step 1: Look at the dog’s nose to make sure it’s cold and wet. If the nose is dry, it could be a sign of dehydration, or an indication of something more serious.
step 2: See if the eyes are clear and bright and the whites are not yellowish or red. The lining of the eyelids should be pink rather than red. There should be minimal mucous and no yellow discharge
step 3: Examine the inside of the mouth. Gums should have a pinkish color and the teeth should be closer to white than yellow and free of dark build-up. However, keep in mind that dogs’ teeth darken as they get older. Bad breath may be a sign of infection or gum disease. To check a dog’s teeth and gums, talk to him gently, then put your hand over the muzzle and lift up the sides of his mouth.
step 4: Look at the coat. It should be shiny and free of bald patches or rough spots. However, a dull coat may also just be a result of improper grooming
Examine the skin. It should be light pink to whitish in color and free of parasites, irritation or flakiness. The inside of the ears should also be a light color. A deeper red indicates inflammation. The ears should be free of wax build-up.
Step 6: Make sure the dog’s temperature is around 101 to 102.5 degrees F. However, 100 degrees F is still considered normal. A rectal thermometer that is sold at the drug store can be used to take your dog’s temperature. Be sure to apply petroleum jelly to the tip before inserting it.
Step 7: Keep your dog at a healthy body weight. Dogs at the proper weight will have a visible indentation behind their ribs or almost an “hourglass figure.” Place both hands lightly on the dog’s ribs. You should be able to feel the ribs, but they shouldn’t be sticking out. If you can’t feel the ribs, chances are she’s overweight.
Step 8: Observe your dog’s appetite. He may get picky once in a while about his food, but if he continues to turn down all food after a 24-hour period, this may be a sign that something is wrong.
Step 9: Observe if your dog is active and alert with no signs of lethargy. Since dogs naturally give themselves a sufficient amount of rest by napping, continued lethargy or what appears to be fatigue is not normal.
Step 10: Make sure the urine is clear and yellow. It is not normal for it to be cloudy, dilute (no color) or contain blood. Also, frequent urination or not enough urination could be an indication there is a problem. Keep in mind, however, that warmer weather and increased activity will cause your dog to drink more. Stools should be firm and moist, rather than loose or runny. It should not be black and tarry or contain blood or mucous.