| Knowing your dog and interacting with | | | | extensive labored breathing; gagging or |
| him on a steady basis will help you make | | | | vomiting; red, puffy eyes; runny or |
| up your mind to the early signs of | | | | encrusted nose, or a discharge from the |
| sickness. Finding differences in normal | | | | nose; twitching ears, or a discharge or |
| behavior and observing sickness ahead of | | | | odor from the ears; and strange or foul |
| time will assist you in saving a lot | | | | odors from the ears, nose or mouth. |
| money and time. The cost at your vet's | | | | Become acquainted with the normal bowel |
| is always going up as is the cost of you | | | | movements of your dog, so you'll be able |
| finding time to deal with an unpleasant | | | | to detect any abnormalities in the |
| sickness. Helping to teach your children | | | | appearance or frequency of his digestive |
| what to look for will insure they are | | | | bodily function. As well, watch your dog |
| able to handle later problems that may | | | | for any signs that he's having |
| happen with there pets. | | | | difficulty urinating. |
| When a dog is healthy, his temperature | | | | Check over your dog's coat often for any |
| is approximately 102 degrees F, his | | | | bumps, scratches, bites, parasites or |
| heart beats 80 to 120 times per minute, | | | | hair loss. You should also make a note |
| and he takes 15 to 20 breaths every | | | | of any unusual behaviors, such as |
| minute. His mucous membranes, such as | | | | lethargy, balance problems or |
| his gums and tongue, are pink and have a | | | | unreasonable nervousness. |
| quick rate of capillary refill. He has | | | | Keeping an eye on the early signals of |
| bright, vivid eyes, clean skin and lots | | | | sickness goes a long way toward helping |
| of hair. | | | | your veterinary surgeon effective treat |
| You ought to call your vet if you notice | | | | your dog. Maintain a record of symptoms, |
| any of the following signs of illness in | | | | when they first developed and if they've |
| your dog: shortness of breath or | | | | been intermittent or ongoing. |