The Pet Parent’s Checklist: How to Assess Your Pet’s Health in Minutes

Pet Health

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Why It’s Good to Keep Tabs on Your Furry Friend’s Health

Proper diet, exercise, grooming, vaccinations, and preventative care are essential to helping our pets live their best lives. It takes a village to raise a healthy pet; your veterinary team, groomer, trainer, dog walker, and pet sitter are all integral parts of managing and maintaining your best friend’s physical and mental well-being. But who keeps an eye on the front line? You do! And as the person who monitors your pet’s daily habits and appearance, the pet parent will be the first to spot signs they aren’t feeling well. Even a first-time pet owner can quickly assess these health parameters. By noticing any deviation in your pet’s “normal,” you can seek medical attention and resolve problems quickly.

First Things First: Checking Your Dog’s Mood and Body Condition

Initial assessment of your pet begins upon approach. A healthy pet is alert, shoulders relaxed, tail wagging, weight evenly distributed or even in a bow, and ready to engage in play or other activities. Though shape among breeds differs, pets of an ideal weight and body condition will have a slight tuck upwards of their abdomen and, from above, an hourglass shape. You should be able to feel, but not see, their ribs. Diet and exercise play a significant role in maintaining an ideal weight which is critical for managing the onset of problems such as respiratory and orthopedic disease. A change in weight that isn’t intentional should be cause for concern and discussed with your veterinarian.

From Head to Paws: Examining Their Body

Once you’ve evaluated their body condition and attitude, you can do a nose-to-tail check on other body systems. A wet nose doesn’t indicate hydration status or health, but discharge from the nose or eyes can indicate disease. The nose can be black, pigmented, light pink, or have spots. But any changes in appearance, color, crusting, or swelling are abnormal. Eyes should be clear, track movement, not be sunken or dull, and have no discoloration of the eye or surrounding tissues. That thin triangular piece of pink skin in the corner of your dog’s eye? Normal and healthy! The third eyelid provides additional protection and distributes tear film.

Dogs with healthy ears will have no odor, redness, swelling, discharge, or touch sensitivity. You may expect a small amount of yellow to tan wax, but your pet should exhibit no other symptoms of infection or illness. Head shaking, whining, or obvious growths in or on the ear canal should prompt a visit to the veterinarian. Allergies or unaddressed trauma usually cause ear infections. Handle your pet’s healthy ears often and introduce them to cleansing solutions and gentle inspection. They will be more agreeable to future examinations and treatment if and when that time should come.

Making Sure Those Chompers are in Good Shape

What’s not to love about puppy breath? For most dogs, that sweet smell disappears by 3-6 months when their adult teeth replace their baby teeth. But that doesn’t mean you should stop opening your pet’s mouth to evaluate teeth, gums, and odor! Gently rub your dog’s cheek, raise their lips, and open them wide. Gum color in dogs is variable; some are more highly pigmented than others. That’s why it’s best to do regular home checks to detect changes in your pet’s appearance. Moist, pink gums, tongue, and fresh breath are signs of good health. Foul odor, pale, dry gums, heavy tartar, missing teeth, bleeding, or oral masses are not. Maintain oral hygiene with daily brushing, rinses, and even treats or specially formulated kibble. Because oral health affects the heart, kidneys, and other body systems, staying on top of home care and performing regular checks is critical.

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Checking Your Pet’s Tummy

As you slide your hands past your dog’s head and shoulders, there shouldn’t be resistance from a bit of pressure on the belly. A regular appetite and daily bowel movements are indicators of good health. The stool should be brown and firm but not hard, absent of blood or mucous, and easy to pick up. Regular eating habits amongst dogs can differ wildly; some prefer moist to dry food, some eat once daily, while others are grazers or need an audience. Tell your vet about unexpected changes in your pet’s appetite, food preference, stool consistency, color, and frequency. Stress, parasites, pancreatitis, and other mild to severe diseases can affect your pet’s gastrointestinal system.

Inspecting Under the Tail

Even healthy dogs don’t generally like to be inspected under the tail. But check, you must! Signs your pet is healthy include a lack of odor or discharge from around your pet’s genito-urinary tract, no signs of excessive licking such as hair loss or wetness, and the ability to urinate a good stream of light yellow, clear urine several times daily (preferably outside, on command) without obvious pain or strain. Healthy dogs with ample clean, fresh water should have no problems eliminating routinely 3-5x a day. Issues within the urinary tract can escalate quickly; if you notice your pet’s voiding routine has changed, call your vet immediately.

Feeling for Lumps, Bumps, and Parasites

Reward your pet’s cooperation during their at-home exam with lots of kisses and snuggles. Rub your hands through their fur and feel for any lumps or bumps. Notice the texture and thickness of their coat, and be aware of any sensitive or itchy spots, dandruff, or redness. Like the gums and nose, their skin may normally be darkly pigmented, spotted, or all pink. All coats should be free of mats, smells, scales, and oil. As a grand finale, check for parasites. Ticks lurk on the ears, under the armpits, and even between the toes. Fleas may only leave tell-tale “dirt” behind, or you may be able to spot the fast-moving buggers. While skin disease isn’t usually a medical emergency, checking in with the pros should your dog not pass a cursory exam with flying colors is always best.

Expert Vet Advice

At Pet Butler, we want you and your pet to live your best and healthiest lives, which is why we offer pet waste removal and other services year-round. We offer weekly, bi-weekly, monthly and one-time clean-up services to work with your schedule and needs.

How Do I Give My Pet Medicine?

Pet Health

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Giving your pup medication isn’t always the easiest task; humans aren’t the only ones who don’t like taking pills or swallowing a bitter liquid. Just one lick of medication can make some dogs suspicious of anything that’s not beef jerky.  Luckily, there are alternatives to the traditional offensive tasting medicine and ways to get your dog to take them. Just make sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions as some medicine must be taken on an empty stomach. 

  

What foods are best for hiding pills and powders?   

Pill Pockets – Soft dog treats like pill pockets, easily disguise meds that come in the form of a pill. Keep in mind, the smaller the treat, the less time your dog has to chew and discover the pill. The less your furry friend tastes of the medicine, the easier it will be for you to give him meds in the future.   

Creamy Textures – Dogs typically like peanut butter and cream cheese, so they are great choices to mask the taste and smell of medication. Check with your vet if you think you may need to open the capsule or crush the pill first as some medications can’t be altered.   

Use Cheese –  Baby Bell Cheeses or American cheese are great hiding sources. Make sure to use a small amount as some dogs have a dietary sensitivity to dairy. Avoid any foods with garlic, onions, or xylitol.   

Get Smelly – In general, dogs like food that are stinky. Liverwurst, meat sticks, baby food, wet cat food, and rotisserie chicken are all great options that have potent flavors that are appealing to canines.  

Trick-Or-Treat – This method is consisting of treat, pill, treat. The first piece of cheese is fed unadulterated. The second one is quickly offered and hides the pill. The third is a plain piece of cheese. By ending on a positive note, the dog associates eating the cheese with a happy experience and is more likely to take the bait the next time!  

  

How do I mask a liquid medication? 

Medicine doesn’t always come in pills. Liquid medication is commonly prescribed for smaller breeds. Canned goods are perfect for mixing liquid medication. Ice cream or whipped cream can hide these medications if your dog isn’t sensitive to those specific foods.  You don’t need to add much, just a couple of tablespoons to mask the unpalatable flavor. You want to make sure that you give a small amount in hopes that your pup will consume it entirely before tasting the unfavored flavor. Best to have a few extra teaspoons in case your dog rejects the first attempt.  

 

How do I administer liquid medication without a food aid?   

If you must administer the liquid medicine by hand, it’s easier to have a second person to help. It’s best to bring medicine to room temperature first, but make sure not to microwave it. Tilt your dog’s head back and insert the syringe tip just behind your dog’s canine teeth. You should angle the syringe so that the medicine dispenses onto your pet’s tongue. Slowly release the medicine so your pup has time to swallow. If your dog spits out some of the medication, consult your vet prior to re-administering medication. 

  

 Do I have any other options?

Other options for making the medicine go down include having your pet’s prescription custom compounded. Flavored tabs, liquids, or even a gel that can be applied inside the ear flap can be created at a compounding pharmacy familiar with pet medication. While a salmon flavored syrup might not sound tasty to a human, dogs love it! Transdermal (through the skin) medication may also work best if your dog has medical conditions such as pancreatitis, inflammatory disease, or food allergies.  

  

What happens if I miss? 

 If you suspect your dog consumed even a partial dose, don’t re-dose without talking to your veterinarian first. Empty gelatin capsules can also be filled with small amounts of liquid medication. You can ask your vet if this method of dosing might be an option. You can also request a few extra pills from your vet until you master your technique. 

After administering your pet’s medication, always spend a little extra cuddle or play time with him. It will calm his nerves and reinforce a positive next experience with medicine! 

 

Here at Pet Butler, we understand how important it is to provide the best care for your pets. That’s why, at Pet Butler we provide pet waste removal services to keep your yard clean so your pets can play all year long. So, call 1-800-PET-BUTLER to learn how we can make your pet’s life happier, healthier, and cleaner. 

 

Why Is My Dog Eating Grass?

Pet Safety

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One of the more peculiar behaviors some dogs exhibit is called pica – a psychological disorder characterized by the desire to consume largely non-nutritive substances. For dogs, while they may also target leaves and sticks, pica is most commonly represented in the tendency to eat grass. Dogs that eat grass do so for a variety of reasons, ranging from sickness relief to boredom, and it usually manifests either in regular cycles or as spontaneous bursts.

How Will This Impact My Dog?

Physical Implications

The majority of pica cases have either negative physical or psychological implications. Common physical causes of pica include: gastric reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, and pancreatitis; pica can result in symptoms of lethargy, diarrhea, constipation, or weight loss in these instances. If your dog is exhibiting these symptoms, see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Psychological Implications

Psychological implications of of pica can be harmful in a home environment. The negative behaviors associated with pica include:

  • Boredom – Owners aren’t giving their dogs enough attention.
  • Separation Anxiety – Dogs are having a hard time coping with loneliness
  • Obsession – Your dog has a more serious mental disorder.

Way To Alleviate Negative Behaviors

  • Boredom – Simply give your dog more attention! Give them more playtime and toys to chew on during quiet hours.
  • Separation Anxiety – Try and surround your dogs with personal clothes or blankets to keep your scent around when you leave or try using a doggie daycare system so they feel more at ease.
  • Obsessions – Talk to your veterinarian about what options are best to help your dog.

How Can I Treat Pica At Home?

If your dog exhibits pica, but it seems to be under control, consider working in natural herbs or roasted vegetables into their diets. These substitutions may provide a sense of hunger fulfillment for the do. Even in monitored environments, pica can lead to some unhealthy complications. Teething puppies, specifically, tend to gnaw on and consume as many objects as possible, and they usually love munching on nature’s chew toys. Sticks, leaves, grass, and rocks can end up in their digestive system, which can cause blockages and backups. Give them plenty of attention and toys designed to keep their attention during these phases.

Veterinary Visits During These Unprecedented Times

Pet Health

Puppy going to the vet

This year has been profound for many reasons, although one stands out among the rest; the Coronavirus pandemic, which exploded in early spring, has led to the end of modern-day economic stability. While responsibilities can sometimes be difficult to recognize, especially right now, it’s important to do what we can for ourselves and each other on a day to day basis. For practicing veterinarians and their clientele, it means there will be many changes in a place like:

  • In face-to-face interactions
  • Sanitation requirements
  • Hospital procedures
  • New appointment guidelines
  • Overall safety measures

It is imperative to acknowledge why the following new protocols are so essential for you, your pet and your veterinarian. There are so many people involved in the healthcare system, and we all need to be careful with correct social distancing, protective gear, and sanitization to protect them.

When is the right time to take your pet to the vet?

The first step in making good decisions as a thoughtful pet owner is realizing whether a hospital visit is worthwhile. Below are a few things to think about when thinking about scheduling an appointment:

  • If your animal isn’t facing pressing health issues, try not to demand an appointment. Many times, a simple call with your veterinarian can be enough to treat your pet for basic complications.
  • Avoiding the hassle of an increasingly troublesome hospital visit is often safer and easier than the opposite.
  • Monthly checkups and other non-vital procedures should be pushed to a later date, if possible. The more time we spend away from clogged waiting rooms and avoidable physical contact, the better.

Hospitals are or should be operating under strict sanitation rules. They may utilize different barrier systems or even a non-entry pickup process – where a technician comes out to the parking lot to retrieve your pet. Oftentimes, veterinary offices will request online forms and observed senior hour timeslots, too. Whatever specifications they call for, follow suit as best as possible and make sure you know what to expect. As long as you call ahead or make some efforts to comply, you’ll usually be okay.

Dog getting a check up in these unprecedented times.

 

How to Maintain your pet’s schedule to prevent health risks?

Lastly, keep your pet’s health at the lowest risk possible. Maintain as much of their regular schedule as you can and minimize fluctuations in established habits. Keep them on the same diet and sleep schedule, keep up a good level of play and attention, and keep loving them the way you have for the past couple of months. If work starts back up again, make sure to give them extra focus on the weekends to make up for lost time – they’re probably used to spending most of the day around you, so they’ll miss you all that much more now. Also, because it’s summer, read up on heatstroke, hot pavement, and other dangerous weather-related ailments. Stay more alert than ever regarding your pet’s health – stay out of the clinic.

Signs Your Pet is in Pain

Pet Health

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One of the questions I get asked most as a veterinarian is, “how do I know if my dog is in pain?” Much like a pediatrician who relies on non-verbal clues to indicate a patient’s health status, veterinarians become acutely aware of both mental and physical pain by observing a dog’s body and behavior. Common conditions include arthritis pain in senior pets, gastrointestinal pain in puppies who have ingested a toy, or the mental pain of separation anxiety in a dog who had been previously neglected. Pain is a complex topic, but we know “mammals share the same nervous system, neurochemicals, perceptions, and emotions, all of which are integrated into the experience of pain”, says Marc Bekoff, evolutionary biologist and author.

Understanding a Pet’s Pain Scales

Because when we know better, we do better, and scientists including veterinarians have developed various pain scales for animals. Using these scales to quantify pain in conjunction with a physical examination and observation, we can address pain with a combination of medications, laser therapy, massage, acupuncture, and emotional support among many modalities. Dog owners can perform a physical assessment and reference these scales to determine whether their pet is in pain and needs medical attention. On a scale of 0-5, anything above a 1 justifies more than a “wait and see” approach, and you should schedule a visit with your vet.

How to Examine Your Pet

Examination of your pet should include a “nose to toes” approach, and I recommend performing one regularly. Because pets have different levels of pain tolerance, reactions to pain, and temperaments, know your dog’s baseline, or “normal”.  Do they regularly react when you touch their feet? If the answer is yes, pulling away a foot during an exam may not be a good pain indicator for your pet.

  1. Start at your pet’s nose and make sure there is no drainage or change in shape.
  2. The same should hold true for the eyes which should be clear and bright with no squinting.
  3. Ears should also be clean and free from discharge and odor.
  4. A dog’s mouth shouldn’t have a foul smell (know your pet’s normal smell) indicative of periodontal disease (ouch to tooth pain!) and the gums should be bubblegum pink.
  5. Manipulation of the limbs, neck, and spine should not illicit a response and your dog should bear weight equally on all four feet.
  6. When putting pressure on the belly, wincing or arching of the back can indicate pain.
  7. Check the pads on your dog’s feet – Scrapes and cuts are common in these areas and animals typically will endure the physical pain of walking on the foot to the emotional pain of not going on their regular walk.

Not all lumps and bumps are painful but bring any new masses to your veterinarian’s attention. If you have a stethoscope, know your dog’s resting heart rate. A persistent elevation may be due to discomfort. Likewise, panting or an increased respiratory rate is common among dog’s in pain.

Know a Pet’s Behavioral Cues

Behavioral clues that your pet may be in pain include anything outside of their normal.

  • Is your dog’s appetite decreased?
  • Do they seem restless or have difficulty sitting or standing?
  • Do they no longer jump on the bed or are they sluggish on walks?

Not all dogs will whimper, cry, or groan when they are hurting, though some, like huskies and other opinionated breeds, do. Similarly, I’ve observed dogs bearing full weight on a fractured bone, only responding to direct manipulation of the area while others continue to have phantom pain or anticipatory stress walking on a completely healed leg.

Excessive biting or grooming of a painful area is another sign your dog may need medical attention. More subtle clues can be physically distancing them from others, lack of interest in their surroundings, signs of aggressive behavior, or a “worried” facial expression with droopy ears, arched brows, and darting eye movements. A hunched posture, tense body position, or a “praying” pose with the rear in the air and front legs extended are often seen in dogs with belly discomfort.

Know that you are not alone when supporting your best friend. Asking neighbors who might not see your dog everyday for their opinion on your dog’s body condition or movements. Sometimes, we normalize our own pet’s condition because we are constantly interacting! Your veterinarian can also provide with resources to identify and address painful conditions. Because pain can become a vicious cycle if not treated, be your dog’s best advocate and speak for them when they can’t.

 

1 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/12/animals-science-medical-pain/

2 https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/download-these-pain-scales/

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