Discussions

What do you think? How would you assess your dog's health?  
There are several ways to assess a dog's health. First, consider if your dog is having any symptoms, and if so...what symptoms, how frequently and for how long?  
These are all important questions in helping to determine health.  
Also, we need to consider normal bodily functions.  
Answer these questions:  
1. Is your dog eating well? If the answer is yes, Great news. Keep going. If the answer is No, if your dog is not eating well, that can be a sign of many different diseases.  
2. Is your dog an ideal weight? If the answer is Yes, perfect. Great Job. Dogs of an idel weight can have fewer health problems. If the answer is No, dogs that are too fat can be predisposed to problems such as arthritis or diabetes. Dogs that are too thin or are losing weight can be showing a sign of disease.  
3. Is your dog unrinating properly? Yes, perfect. No, signs of straining to urinate, increased fequency or blood in the urine all indicate problems.  
4. Is your dog having normal bowel movements? Yes, perfect. No, diarrhea or abnormalities such as blood in the stool can be a common sign of disease.  
5. Is your dog vomiting? Yes, vomiting is a very common sign of many different diseases. It is especially serious if your dog does it, consistently, repeatedly and it is combined with other symptoms such a weight loss, lethargy or diarrhea. If the answer is No, perfect.  
6. Does your dog like to play? Yes,great! Playing is a sign of good physical and mental health. If the answer is no, Why not? Even older dogs will often play...although not for as long or as passionately. A common sign of a dog not feeling well will be a lack of desire to play.  
7. Is your dog experiencing any of the following: vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, trouble urinating, trouble breathing,limping,itching,losing weight, bad breath, lethargy, increased thrist,vaginal discharge, ear discharge or odour.  
So if your dog is eating well, at an ideal weight, having normal urine and bowel movements, playful, active and not having any symptoms...then you are likely to have a healthy dog.