Harlan Animal Hospital

Dog Care:

 

What's Normal:

• Eyes: Should be bright and clear; report any discharge to your veterinarian.

• Ears: Should be clean and free of discharge, odor and redness.

• Nose: Should be clean without discharge or sores.

• Mouth: Should smell fresh. Gums should be pink. Teeth should be free of tartar or plaque. Mouth and lips should be free of sores or growths.

• Coat: Should be shiny and clean.

• Weight: Active, playful dogs are usually not overweight. Ask your veterinarian for nutritional advice on maintaining your dog's healthy weight.

• Bladder/Bowel: Report changes in the frequency or consistency of your dog's urine or stool to your veterinarian immediately.

 

What's Not Normal:

• Diarrhea: This common ailment can be caused by bacteria, viruses, internal parasites, toxic substances, too much food or psychological upset. Call your veterinarian if stools are bloody, if there is a large volume of watery stools, if your pet is thin or potbellied, or if the diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours.

• Constipation: Like diarrhea, constipation can be caused by the ingestion of substances like hair, bones or foreign materials, by disease or by insufficient water intake. Your veterinarian may recommend blood test, radiographs or other tests to find the cause.

• Vomiting: Frequent or persistent vomiting is not normal. Call your veterinarian if vomiting occurs more than five times in a few hours, if large volumes are vomited, or if vomit contains blood or is accompanied by diarrhea or abdominal pain.

• Abnormal urination: Straining to urinate or bloody urine may indicate a painful infection of the urinary tract. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

 

Make sure your new dog has all of the mandatory vaccinations and talk to your veterinarian about recommended boosters.