Giving Your Dog a Thorough Home Check-up

Dogs, like people, need routine medical exams to stay healthy. As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Since dogs age more quickly than people, they need well-health check-ups not once, but twice a year. So, they really need “two ounces” of prevention.

To stay ahead of any problems, you can give your dog a quick and easy home exam between scheduled veterinary visits. It is best to perform the exam when your dog is relaxed — try catching him right before an afternoon nap. Do your exam in a quiet area of the house free of distractions.

How to perform an at-home physical exam on your dog, from nose to tail

Gaze into their eyes

• The whites of the eyes (sclera) should be white, not yellow or bloodshot.
• The cornea should be clear, not cloudy.
• The pupils should be the same size in both eyes.
• The eyes should be moist, but there should be no discharge or gunk present.
• Your dog should blink easily without squinting.
• There should be no swellings on the eyelids.
• The eyelid margins should be straight, not curling in or out.

Be nosy

Look at your dog’s nose and answer these questions. Any “yes” answers indicate trouble.

• Is it running?
• Is it dry or cracking?
• Are the nostrils crusty?
• Are there sores present?

Also check to confirm the nose is the normal color for the dog. Most noses are black.

Get an ear full

• Look at the ear flaps and note any abrasions or sores.
• Look down the ear canal for redness, waxy debris, or drainage. You will not be able to see very far, but sometimes problems are apparent with a quick glance.
• Smell inside the ears: if your dog’s ears smell funny, they may be infested by ear mites or infected by bacteria or yeast.

Make them smile

Retract your dog’s lips into a smile and look at the teeth and gums.

• The gums should be pink and have no bumps and ulcers.
• The teeth should be white. Excess tartar will make teeth look yellow or brown.
• Note any loose or broken teeth.
• Take a sniff: A smelly mouth may indicate periodontal (gum) disease.
• Make sure there is no food matter, bits of debris, or wads of hair wedged between the teeth, lodged on the roof of the mouth, or caught under the tongue.
• Examine the lips for ulcers or cracks.

Give them a hug

• Feel under your dog’s jaw for lumps and bumps, which could indicate enlarged lymph nodes or salivary glands.
• Run your hands down the neck to the chest, feeling for lumps, bumps, or crusty lesions.

Give them a massage

Continue running your hands down the dog’s chest, over the back, and under the belly. Massage each leg from top to bottom with the same thorough approach.

• Feel under the front legs, the groin area, and behind the knees for smooth swellings that could be enlarged lymph nodes.
• Note any skin abnormalities.
• Look for fleas and ticks.

Have a heart

Place your hands on both sides of your dog’s chest and feel their heartbeat.

• The heart rate should be 70–120 beats per minute, with a regular rhythm.
• Breathing should be smooth and effortless.

Belly up.

• Place one hand on either side of your dog’s abdomen and press gently, moving from front to back. You may not be able to identify abdominal abnormalities, but you should note any sign of pain.
• Roll your dog over and examine the abdomen for skin lesions.
• Check the mammary glands of both female and male dogs for lumps or bumps.
• In male dogs, check the penis and sheath for redness or discharge.
• In female dogs, look under the tail at the vulva and note any redness or discharge.

Have some backbone.

• Pressing firmly on the spinal column, run your hand from the neck to the tail and note any signs of pain.
• Check the tail for skin lesions or pain.

Touch their toes.

Lay your dog on their side and carefully examine the paws.

• Are the pads cracked or torn?
• Are the nails too long?
• Is there swelling or redness between the toes?
• Is there a musty odor?

Size up your dog

Assess your dog’s overall body condition.

• Have your dog stand up, then run your hands gently down the sides of the chest. You should be able to feel individual ribs without pressing too hard unless your dog has a thick fat pad.
• Now look at your dog from above. Dogs should have a defined, visible waistline. Some breeds, like bulldogs, will not have a small waist, but should have a narrowing behind their rib cage.
• Look at your dog from the side. The tummy should tuck (curve upwards). Overweight dogs or elderly dogs with decreased muscle tone may have sagging bellies.

Look at the whole picture

• Is your dog happy and alert?
• Does your dog hear you when you call?
• Does your dog walk without limping, taking long strides? Or do they walk with short steps?
• Can your dog lie down and rise again with ease? Or do they lie down gingerly and struggle to get up?
• Does your dog eat food quickly or pick at it?
• Does your dog have vomiting or diarrhea?
• Does your dog strain to urinate or defecate?
• Is your dog enjoying life?

You can help your dog enjoy life for a long time by being a conscientious pet owner who performs at-home physical exams monthly. When you notice problems early, they are easier to fix. You know your dog better than anyone, so you will recognize any changes in physical status right away. If “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, regularly examining your dog is a good investment.