Dog Health Check

　　Health is truly the most precious thing in the world. If you really love your dog, you should cultivate a good habit of body checks for it at home. The time spent checking your dog's body only takes about ten minutes. As long as you persist, when a problem appears, you can treat it early and prevent further deterioration. A healthy dog will show a lively spirit and walk proudly. So when it appears dejected, depressed, and weak, it may be sick. But to prevent this, simple daily body checks should be carried out. Owners don't need to arrange special time to check their dog at home; it can be done during grooming and combing. If abnormalities are found, take the dog to the veterinarian early to prevent minor illnesses from becoming serious.

　　The temperature measurement method is to first coat the thermometer with petroleum jelly or other lubricant. A family member should hold the dog's head steady to calm it, then the owner lifts the tail and inserts the thermometer into the anus. After about a minute, remove the thermometer from the anus. The normal canine temperature is 38–38.9 degrees Celsius, but smaller and more active dogs tend to have slightly higher body temperatures. If your dog is large or generally less active, its temperature may be a bit above or below normal. If the temperature remains abnormal continuously, your dog may be sick.

　　The eye check: clear and bright eyes are a sign of a healthy dog. Although many dogs have some discharge at the corners of their eyes, as long as you clean often, the discharge will naturally disappear. But if you find your dog frequently scratching its eyes with its paws or blinking non-stop, it may have an eye problem causing pain. If the cause of eye pain is a foreign object, you can use eye wash to remove it. First, open the dog's eyes wide, soak a fabric bandage in the eye wash, then wipe the eyes gently. Never use cotton balls because cotton fibers easily stick to the eyes, causing discomfort. Also, clean gently to avoid injuring the eyeball. If there is no improvement, take your dog to the veterinarian.

　　Ear check: when you flip open your dog's ears to inspect, the inside should be clean and pale pink. When you put your nose near the ear, you should only smell warm breath without any foul odor. If your dog often shakes its head, scratches its ears, and there is a foul smell inside, it probably has ear mites. At this time, use special ear mite ear wash to clean them. First, pour the ear wash into the ear, gently massage the ear, then the dog will shake its head to expel excess liquid, and finally use cotton to wipe away dirt. Initially, wash daily until the ear mites are completely gone, then wash every other day. However, ear oils also protect the dog's ear, so avoid excessive washing to prevent removing natural oils.

　　Skin and coat: a healthy dog has a shiny, smooth coat. Grooming your dog not only prevents tangles but also allows checking the skin's health and any skin diseases. When checking, use your hands to feel the body for lumps or abnormalities and place a wet white cloth or paper under its paws, then comb the coat with a fine-toothed flea comb. If the dog has fleas, the fleas will fall onto the cloth or paper. If fleas are found, try flea sprays or flea medications available on the market but first consult a familiar veterinarian. Dealing with fleas is a long-term task; even if the dog's fleas are removed, fleas in the environment can reinfest. Therefore, keep the home environment clean and flea-free while treating the dog. If the coat is dull, rough, covered with dandruff, and shedding in patches, consult a veterinarian early for treatment.

　　Weight measurement: besides weighing your dog, stand next to it and feel it with your hands. If the weight is appropriate, you should be able to feel ribs on both sides and hear the heartbeat. If you can’t feel ribs, the dog is probably overweight, but if ribs are too prominent, it may be underweight. Overweight dogs are more common than underweight ones. If your dog’s health is affected by overweight issues, weight loss is essential. But before changing diet or exercise, consult with a vet.

　　Teeth check: a set of white teeth not only makes your dog look more beautiful but also guarantees health. Owners should check their dog’s teeth by opening its mouth to examine oral and dental cleanliness. If teeth are covered with dirt, food debris or have bad odor, use a toothbrush designed for dogs to clean. If there is tartar or cavities, consult a veterinarian. Owners should develop the habit of brushing their dog's teeth for a white and healthy set.

　　Feces inspection: although every dog’s excretion habits are different, feces can reveal health status. On average, dogs defecate two to three times daily depending on their food intake. If feces are not firm and contain mucus or blood, there is a problem. Constipation in older dogs slows their system. If the dog still chews bones during this period, defecation becomes more difficult. Owners should feed bran-based food to aid digestion. If conditions don’t improve, visit a vet. Diarrhea causes severe dehydration; when it occurs, stop feeding food and only provide water or water with glucose for 24 hours. Afterwards, feed rice mixed with chicken or fish, and never give milk. If no improvement, take the dog to the vet, who will clean anal glands and provide proper treatment.