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