The Six Top Things For Your Vet To Check

Article Title: The Six Top Things For Your Vet To Check
Author: Kelly Marshall

When you take your dog for veterinarian appointment, it's
important that you give any information to the vet that would
be helpful in determining any problems your pet may be having.
Too bad your dog can't tell you when he's feeling bad. But as
you are the owner, you'll be most able to notice any changes in
your dog's behavior, eating patterns or general health. Share
any pertinent information with the vet.

The following are all of the common areas of the dog that your
vet will look into during a full examination:

1. Nose: Your dog's healthy nose is very critical to its
senses. Your vet will be looking for any discharge and/or
physical changes in the appearance of the nose. Dogs typically
have cold and wet noses; however, the vet will not be too
concerned if your dog's nose is hot or dry.

2. Nails: The vet will take a look at your dog's nails and
also the nail bed. If your dog licks them a lot, or is showing
any lameness, the nail bed will be examined for damage. Some
dogs have uneven wear on their nails, which means that the dog
has been favoring one leg and may have an injury. If the vet
finds that the nails are flaky he or she could determine a
possible metabolic disorder that requires further steps.

3. Eyes: Many dogs inherently have unfortunate eye diseases,
based on their breed. However, it's important to note that
sudden changes in the eyes of your dog may indicate a more
complicated disease elsewhere in his body. A thorough
examination of your dog's eyes will help give the vet clues
about where else he may need to look for problems.

4. Mouth: The mouth also tells a lot about your dog's overall
health. First of all the vet will check the mouth area for gum
inflammation and tooth decay. Did you know that examining the
dog's mouth will also give the vet a chance to check his blood
pressure? This is done by pressing his finger up against the
gums, feeling his pulse. The vet pays special attention to the
color of your dog's gums: if your dog has pale gums, then it
could be a sign of anemia. If there is a yellowish color on
the gums, this is possibly a liver problem.

5. Skin & Coat: By looking at the health of your dog's coat
and skin, your vet can see what the overall health condition of
your dog is. For example, if the coat is dull in color, then
this may be an indication of parasites or a minor infection
that may exist anywhere else in the body; whereas a shiny coat
tells you your dog is vibrant and healthy.

6. Genitals: Your dog, male or female, will be checked for
disorders by looking at their genitals. A female dog's vulva
will be checked for discharge or inflammation. Either of these
two could represent a disorder of the urinary system or the
reproductive system. Likewise, a male dog's testicles and
penis are examined to see if there is any inflammation or
swelling.

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