Learn how to conduct a self-examination of your dog 1-2 times a month. With these tips, you can independently observe changes in your dog and identify potential diseases.
Key Takeaways:
- Health checks help identify diseases early.
- Every dog owner can assess general health daily.
- Health monitoring can be done independently 1-2 times a month.
- Self-examination does not replace regular veterinary check-ups.
Examining Your Dog at Home: Focus on These 6 Points Daily
These points can be monitored daily by you, as they can provide important clues to potential illnesses.
1. Water Intake:
Is your pet suddenly drinking more or less than usual?
2. Food Consumption:
Does your dog have a normal appetite, or does he seem to be more or less hungry than usual? Are there any problems with chewing or swallowing?
3. Urine Output:
Does the urine amount correspond to water intake? Is the urination taking an unusually long time? Is the urine darker or cloudier than usual? Can your dog squat normally, or is there difficulty?
4. Stool Output:
Is the stool consistency and color normal? Does your dog have trouble squatting or strain excessively? Is the stool an unusual shape (e.g., flattened)?
5. Activity and Mobility:
Does your pet enjoy walks, or does he seem lethargic? Is the movement dynamic and fluid, or does your dog have a stiff gait or take small, shuffling steps? Does your dog show lameness? Does your pet have difficulty getting up or lying down, climbing stairs, or jumping on the sofa?
6. Behavioral Changes:
Is your dog more withdrawn than usual? Or does he show aggression or fear that he did not exhibit before? Changes in behavior can also indicate organic diseases or pain and should be discussed with a veterinarian.
Home Health Check for Dogs: Checklist
Despite regular check-ups with the veterinarian, you should occasionally take a closer look at your dog yourself. It’s best to go through the following checklist with your furry friend 1–2 times a month:
Weight Check:
Are there significant weight fluctuations, or is your dog consistently gaining or losing weight? Ideally, document everything in a weight diary.
Muscle Check:
Is the musculature (especially visible in the thighs) strong and evenly developed?
Teeth Inspection:
Are there signs of plaque, tartar, bad breath, gum inflammation, or bleeding, or are any teeth broken?
Eye Examination:
Are the eyes symmetrical, shiny, and clear, or do you notice (early) cloudiness or color changes (especially in old age)?
Ear Inspection:
Are the ears clean, and is the skin on the outer and inner sides intact, or are there visible dirt or scratch injuries on the ears? Does the ear have a strong odor?
Checking Claws:
Do the claws wear down evenly, or are they too long or unevenly worn?
Pay Attention to Swellings or Coat Changes:
Deliberately stroke your pet all over the body and feel if you find any “lumps” or if the fur feels unusual (e.g., dull or brittle).
Female Genital Organs:
Are there swellings palpable in the mammary glands? Is the vulva developed according to the estrus cycle? Is the estrus/heat regular and without problems? Does pseudopregnancy occur after heat? Here, too, keeping a kind of “cycle diary” for the unspayed female dog is recommended.
Male Genital Organs:
Are the testicles symmetrical, normally warm, and not painful to the touch?
For any deviations in the checklist, you should promptly schedule a veterinary appointment and possibly note all abnormalities in advance so you don’t forget anything during the appointment.
Self-examination does not replace preventive check-ups
Even though you should regularly examine your dog and undoubtedly know him best, this is not a substitute for regular preventive check-ups.
Because regular preventive check-ups play a crucial role in maintaining a dog’s health.
Some advantages summarized:
Professional Detection of Diseases
Regular examinations can detect potential health problems early, often before visible symptoms occur. This is especially important since dogs cannot verbalize their pain and discomfort. Professional detection by a veterinarian often means that treatments are more effective and may be less invasive or costly.
Safety and Prevention
Preventive examinations for dogs also include preventive measures such as vaccinations, parasite control (fleas, ticks, worms), and dental cleanings. By maintaining these protective measures, you can prevent your furry friend from developing serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
Weight and Nutrition Monitoring
Overweight or underweight can be problematic for dogs, just as it is for humans. A veterinarian can assess your dog’s nutritional condition and provide recommendations for a healthy diet or an appropriate exercise program.
Early Detection of Behavioral Issues
Veterinarians are also well-trained to recognize and assess behavioral problems. If you have questions or concerns about your dog’s behavior, a preventive check-up may be the perfect place to address them.
Relationship with the Veterinarian
Regular preventive check-ups allow your dog to build a positive relationship with your veterinarian. This can help make future visits less stressful.
From our experience, we know that home visits can take a lot of stress off your pet. The familiar environment also makes it easier for us to interact with your dog. If you want to know more about our home visits for preventive check-ups, you can learn more here or directly book an appointment below.
Our veterinarian authors want to emphasize that their blogs do not replace veterinary advice. Despite all the exciting information, you should always clarify important health decisions individually for your pet and discuss them with your veterinarian. Therefore, we also assume no liability for any damages that may arise from the use of the information presented in this blog. This article makes no claim to completeness. (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a dog examination?
Depending on the age and life situation of the dog, various preventive examinations should be performed. These include vaccinations, blood tests, blood pressure measurements, regular deworming, fecal examinations, preventive examinations upon reaching sexual maturity, and examinations in older dogs. It is crucial to have the dog regularly examined by a veterinarian to detect diseases early and treat them appropriately.
Can I perform an examination on my dog myself?
In general, you should regularly look at your dog. For example, you can go through our checklist in this post yourself 1-2 times a month. It is important to note that this type of examination does not replace a veterinarian or a veterinary preventive examination. However, self-examination can help you independently and early detect any changes in health.
