Overview
Pet owners often have questions about the health of their beloved four-legged friends. Next time you make a vet appointment for your dog, be prepared to ask some questions about your dog's health. Although the dog may appear happy and healthy, your vet is a wealth of information. By asking a few questions during the exam, you can learn what symptoms to watch for in common dog diseases and ailments. Prevention and catching issues early is the best way to keep your dog happy and healthy his entire life.
Weight
After your vet weighs your pet during their exam, ask if the dog is within the standard weight guidelines, too heavy or too skinny. Your vet can give you ideas for improving your pet's weight from special food recommendations to exercises that are manageable for the age and abilities of your pet. Ask the vet to look back at your pet's last record to determine if your pet is increasing, decreasing or maintaining a steady weight. Significant changes in weight over time may indicate a health concern.
Oral Health
While your vet examines your dog's teeth, ask how much plaque is normal for the age of your pet. Tooth decay is common in pets since they don't have the same level of oral care as humans. Specially formulated pet toothpastes, dental chews and oral treats are available. Ask your vet what types of oral care your pet needs. For some dogs, daily chewing on a hard bone will rub food particles from their teeth, helping keep them clean and white.
Ear Health
If you dog itches at his ears or rubs his head on the floor or furniture a lot, let your vet know. You will want to ask questions about ear mites, ear infections and other ear ailments. Dogs with long, droopy ears often harbor moisture, which causes ear infections. Hunting dogs that frequent wet grasses or buggy fields may also have issues with their ears. If you notice excessive wax build up, pus or other discharge from your dog's ear, ask your vet to examine the ears closely.
Feet
Dogs' feet and toenails are very sensitive. Talk with your vet about proper nail care. When a dog's nails get overgrown they can chip and split, exposing the flesh underneath. If this become infected, the dog can get very sick and be in a lot of pain. If your dog has brittle nails and hates toenail trims, ask your vet about proper foot care. They can recommend routines to make the toenail-cutting process less stressful for you and your pet.
Overall Health
Watch your pet for symptoms of overall health concerns. Any change in eating patterns, content and quality of feces or general behavior should prompt questions. Call your vet when these changes occur, and they may recommend an exam. Since animals try to hide ill feelings, reacting soon rather than later is important. By the time they show discomfort, they have been hiding the pain for awhile.
