The At-Home Checkup (Dogs)

While no replacement for a proper veterinary physical, looking after your animal's health on a weekly basis will help catch problems in their early stages. Familiarizing yourself with your animal's appearance when healthy will make it easier to tell when something is off; and that's where the vet can step in to do diagnostics. The key is to not overthink, and to just focus on what you'd expect to see, taking note of any differences between the expectation you've built up with your pet, and what changes you may find. Your first test may take up to twenty to thirty minutes, but the more you do, the faster you'll get.

Check the eyes

The whites of the eyes should be white, not yellowed or brown, and the pupil should be black, not clouded, and the same size in both eyes. There should be no gunk, yellow, green, or clear, around the eyes, and your dog should blink easily, without squinting. There should be no swelling around the eyelids, and the skin around them should be clear.

Check the nose

The nose should be free from runny discharge, and wet. If it is discoloured, dry, cracked, or crusty, that could indicate problems. The area around the nose should be free of sores.

Check the ears

The inner ear flaps should not be swollen, and should be free from abrasions, tears, sores, and redness. Check the inner ear for brown, waxy material - the inner ear should be free from redness, discolouration, and sores. It should not smell foul.

Check the mouth

Look under the flaps at your dog's teeth and gums - there should be no sores, ulcers, or red, bumpy swelling present. The gums should be pink, and the teeth should be white; a buildup of tartar will turn them yellow, or brown. Make sure no teeth are broken, and that the mouth is clear of things stuck between the teeth. Checking for a foul odour on their breath is unpleasant, but is important - using treats and tooth brushing can keep your dog's mouth healthy for a long time, at a low cost.

Check the body

Running your hands along your dogs neck, chest, back, belly, and hindquarters - checking for lumps, bumps, and areas where your dog reacts painfully. Their breathing should not be laboured, and by brushing the hair against its growth pattern, you can look for fleas and ticks on the surface of your dog's skin. Check the skin for redness or bumps, and between its legs for redness, discharge, or pus. Running your hand along the spinal column should not elicit a painful response, and the tail should be free of flaky skin and sores.

Check the paws

Looking at your dogs paws, they should be un-cracked, and untorn. Nails should not stretch so far down that they curl around the foot, and the skin beneath the foot pads should be free of redness or swelling, and there should be no foul odour coming from the feet. As a warning, many dogs dislike being touched on the legs or feet, so be cautious when first starting this part of the checkup.

It may seem like a large and daunting task, but the more you familiarize yourself with the healthy look of your dog, and the more you check them regularly, the more speedy and natural the process will become as you get into a rhythm. Soon enough, you'll be running down the checklist in no time. Be sure to reward your dog each time you finish a successful checkup, whether with a treat, praise, or a nice walk!