It's a bummer that veterinarians don't take the time to teach dog parents the signs of health and sickness. A lot of the things the vet is looking for during a physical exam can be done at home and I think it's a huge missed opportunity for vets not to teach that.

One of the common questions I get from dog parents has to do with knowing when your dog actually needs a visit to the vet or when it's something that can be treated or monitored at home.

It's really important for dog parents to be the first to recognize signs of sickness in their dog. So my recommendation to you is start getting in the habit of examining your dog regularly so you know the difference between a healthy dog and a sick dog. 

If you check your dog regularly it will be easy to tell when something is off. So today you're going to learn how to examine your dog like a pro so that you are the first to detect when your dog is feeling blue.

Let's start with doing a quick at home exam:

1. Check for dehydration by lifting their hair that’s at the back of their neck. If it pops back down into place quickly the dog is hydrated, but if the skin lingers to go back down the dog is dehydrated.
2. Check their gums which should be pink. Press on pink gums and see how quickly the white goes away and pink returns after you remove your finger. The pink should return within 2 seconds, which is a sign your dog’s blood is circulating .If the gums are too pale that's not a good sign.
3. Check their temperature for a fever. A dog's temp should range from 99-102.7 degrees. Use a rectal digital thermometer to check their temp. Make sure to clean it with alcohol before each use and use lubricant. Lift up the tail and slowly insert. It’s best if you have a buddy to help you that can distract with pets and cuddles. Once the thermometer beeps, you'll see their body temperature on the screen.
4. Check their respiratory rate. A normal respiratory rate is 8-40 breaths per minute. A trick veterinarians and vet techs do is count how many breaths are in 15s and then times that by 4 to see how many are per minute. If it’s in the 8-40 range they’re good.

Next, let's discuss signs of health versus sickness:

Signs of a Healthy Dog

• Healthy weight
• Eating and drinking regularly
• Going to the bathroom regularly
• Stable energy levels, easy walking
• No bumps, scrapes, or hotspots
• Healthy skin & shiny coat
• Clean, odor-free ears
• Pink gums, decent breath

Signs of a Sick Dog

• Significant change in behavior, appetite, or energy
• Visible pain (limping, aching, stiffness, crying)
• Excessive diarrhea or constipation
• Blood or mucus in stool
• Persistent coughing, sneezing, or wheezing
• Excessive urination, drinking, or panting
• Excessive vomiting, drooling or bad breath
• Excessive discharge from nose eyes or nose
• Shaking head, scratching ears, smelly ears
• Dry or itchy skin, hotspots, excessive chewing
• Sudden or extreme bloat

Let's end with some things I use at home to save me trips to the vet:

I suggest you do everything under the supervision of your veterinarian. Just an FYI, in my online experiences, you have access to a library of these items with links to research and exact products I trust. I really try and save as much time for my students while still giving them the tools to learn why a supplement is beneficial and when to use them.

• Benedrly - relieves allergy symptoms.
• Slippery Elm Bark - slippery elm is used on pets with digestive problems, including both diarrhea and constipation. It reduces inflammation and helps them poop.
• Pumpkin - canned natural pumpkin is a great source of fiber and helps with digestion. If your dog is experiencing constipation or diarrhea, mix a tablespoon of pumpkin straight from the can into their normal food.
• Prebiotics & Probiotics - store bought capsules or from natural sources (see all the supplements below).
• Spirulina - contains one of the highest concentrations of nutrients in any plant, grain or herb. It’s a great source of prebiotics and antioxidants and it's algae based.
• Kefir - is a great source of probiotics, it's a beneficial yeast and dairy based.
• Bone Broth - is a great source of hydration and is used to soothe the gut. It’s useful to give to dogs or cats that are feeling under the weather, are frail, or the elderly. Broth can also be used as a good cleansing agent for the body. 
• Pepcid - helps if your dog gets tummy aches and throws up. Since this is not a holistic approach please call veterinarian for dosage.
• Dramamine - this is random but you can also use Dramamine for traveling.

It's best to get in the habit of doing regular check ups with your dog. Whether that be when they sit by you when you're on the toilet or when they're laying by you on the couch. Take the time to check them out to make sure everything looks good. It's a simple way to keep your dog healthy!

Resources Mentioned:

My YouTube Video on Dry Skin & Allergies

My YouTube Video on Hotspots

Video How to Check Your Dog's Vitals

Courtney's Links:

Courtney's online program The Dog Parent Experience (First 30 days of Dog Parenting)

More episodes of the Thank Dog It's Friday Podcast

Thank Dog It's Friday's Instagram

Dog Squad LA's Instagram & Facebook

Courtney's Personal Instagram

--> Next Episode: Tuesday, March 31st 

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