EVEN THE BEST CARED- FOR PUPPY OR ADULT DOG MAY BECOME ILL OR INJURED KNOW WHAT IS NORMAL AND WHAT IS NOT (FYI)
One simple, but very important way to care for your puppy or adult dog is to watch for changes in his appearance or behavior that may indicate that he is sick. To do this you need to become familiar with following signs of normal health, and you should also be familiar with your puppy's usual behavior so you can easily detect signs of illness and injury. This will help you spot potential problems early so your veterinarian can begin treatment sooner.
eyes
Their eyes should be clear and bright. the whites of the eyes should have no red or yellow discoloration. if there is any discoloration, tearing, cloudiness, heavy discharge or other abnormal conditions, take your puppy/dog to the Vet immediately. a slight buildup of mucus in the corners of the eyes is not unusual. This discharge can be cleared away with a cotton ball moistened with warm water. if there is heavy discharge consult your Vet.
ears
Their ears should be clean and free of discharge and odor. check the ears at least once a week or more often for puppies who are more prone to ear problems ( such as long haired puppies or those with pendulous ears like Cocker Spaniels.
Trim away excess hair which might prevent air from getting into his ears. If the ear canal is red, inflamed, hot, or has a foul odor or is sensitive to your touch, consult your Veterinarian they may recommend weekly ear cleanings.
MOUTH
Their mouth should have pink, healthy gums with no redness or swelling at the tooth margins. The lips should be free of sores or growths. Teeth should be free of tarter buildup and there should be no bad breath.
NOSE
Their nose should be clean and wet. there should be no discharge or sores.
BODY AND HAIR COAT
Should be free of tumors, lumps, fleas and ticks. check by running your hands over their coat, a normal coat is thick, shiny and silky- without greasiness, dandruff, or bare patches.
LEGS
Their legs should be checked for swollen joints. inspect feet between the toes for excess hair or objects lodged there. Check the condition of the nails.
ANUS
Their anus should be free of swelling and intestional parasites. for instance tapeworm segments look like particles of rice. Scooting along on the ground might be an attempt to relieve swollen anal glands. If you notice any of the conditions see your Veterinarian.
NOW SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS
NOW WHEN YOU KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG Things to look for in any dog and know something is deffinatley wrong !!!
Since even the best cared for puppy/dog may become ill or injured it's a good idea to be aware of the following signs of illness. And if your puppy/dog exhibits these or other unusual symptoms ((( call or go to the Veterinarian )))
Loss of appetite for more than 1 day.
Diarrhea. constipation, or difficulty with urination - Take your puppy/dog to the Vet immediately if he is unable to urinate or defecate, but continues to try, or if there is BLOOD in the urine or stool. If your dog has diarrhea or BLOOD in his stool, take a stool sample with you when you visit the Vet.
Vomiting - Take your puppy/dog to the Vet immediately if vomited material contains BLOOD or other unusual contents.
Fever - Fever is indicated by a dry, hot nose, dull eyes, and a noticeable rise in body heat.
Pain - For severe or continuous pain, immediate Veterinary attention is is required.
Excessive panting or difficulity breathing,- Immediate care is required if there is noisy respiration, blue tongue or gasping for breath.
Coughing and sneezing.
Head shaking.- May indicate an accumulation of ear wax, an infection or foreign body in the ear.
Limping - Be especially suspicious of sudden lameness without apparent cause.
Constant scratching or Biting - May require immediate care if so severe that the puppy/dog risk self-mutilation.
Biting and any other aggressive or unusual behavior by a normally even-tempered puppy/dog.
Listlessness or hiding
Scooting along on the ground/floor
Bad mouth odor
Lump beneath the skin
Dull hair coat
anything unusual for your puppy/dog
So regardless of what breed you have, or who you got it from, how old it is always pay attention to them and recognize any and ALL sudden changes and seek medical attention. YOU ARE ALL THEY HAVE THEY DEPEND ON YOU TO NOTICE AND CORRECT ANY ILLNESS OR INJURY.