Dog Health

Whether you're going to buy a dog or if you just want to make sure yours is in perfect conditions, it is important for you to learn how to recognize the symptoms of good health. Healthy dogs give clear signs of their vitality and well-being and there is a health problem, it can be noticed thanks to the symptoms we are going to describe below.

THE Dog's EYES

Healthy eyes are clear, shining and they don't suppurate. Any opacity, permanent change on the size of the pupil or reddening must be immediately checked by a veterinarian. Dogs, like us, can suffer from conjunctivitis. This problem requires veterinary treatment, but is normally cured relatively easy.

Dogs that have what is called the third eyelid, a membrane that sometimes can be covering the eye surface. The appearance of this membrane usually indicates that the dog is not ok or that it is still convalescent from a previous sickness. Some breeds are more likely to suffer from a disease that make the eyelashes to be guided to the inside part of the eye provoking eye irritations. Sometimes it is even necessary to go for surgery.

THE Dog's EARS

The inner part of the audio conduct should always look clean and pink. The brown deposits and the bad smell can be signs of infection or bug's infestation.

THE Dog's TRUFFLE

The truffle should not suppurate under any circumstance. Long ago, it was believed that the truffle of a dog should always be wet and very cold because the humidity and its temperature have influence in the meteorological time as well as in the level of activity and the health. In any case, it is never a good sign if the truffle is excessively dry or hot.

THE Dog's MOUTH

The dog's teeth, as ours, get deteriorated with time, so it would ideal if they always have them white and clean. Dogs can sometimes break a tooth due to what it is convenient to examine and clean regularly. In this way we will also prevent gum infections.

The gums should always be pink and soft and they should never bleed. If they are softly pressed, they should loose the color and immediately recover it when you stop pressing them.

Even when some dogs can boast about their fresh breath, it is not normal either if it can notice from on side of the room to the other. A persistent bad smell can lead to dentistry or digestive problems.

THE Dog's PAWS

The dog's pads are usually very resistant, but they can also, as it happens with our feet, get blistered or wounded if the dog has excessively walked or run.

Many dogs keep their thumbs in the lower part of the front paws and some breed as the Pyrenees Mountain Dog for example; have the thumbs on the rear paws. The thumbs can crack while the dog is exercising and, in that case, also get infected.

THE Dog's ABDOMEN

The abdominal distention can be a symptom of digestive problems or worms and should be examined by a veterinary.

All dogs have four pairs of nipples on the abdomen and inexperienced person can confuse them with cysts and even ticks. If you own a female dog, it would be convenient to explore this area regularly to make sure that no suspicious mass has formed under the skin. The tumors on the breast are very frequent and must be treated before it is too late.

Dogs, like us, also have a navel that used to be the extreme of the umbilical cord. Puppies get hernias very frequently: be alert in case you detect something abnormal on your puppy.

Dog's ANAL REGION

Many dogs have the anal region totally hidden by the base of the tail and it is necessary to raise it to examine this part. It must be clean and not painful or swollen. If the dog rubs its backside against the floor or it licks it in a very persistent way, it is very possible that the dog has an obstruction or that it is trying to get rid of some worms, take it to the veterinary.

Dog's GENITAL REGION

Finally, you dog's genitals should also be checked regularly. Even when it can be strange for some people, it is important to detect any suspicious change as soon as it is produced. The testicles of a not castrated male dog must be totally down. If one or both of them are kept in the abdominal cavity, then it may be necessary to operate.