Quiz 19. Your dog's health.
Take an active part in preventing problems with your dog’s health.
In the wild, if a dog shows pain or weakness the pack might turn on it. Therefore it pretends nothing is wrong. If your dog becomes lethargic, or reacts when you touch it, take it to the vet. If it shivers, take it to the vet.
Make it an enjoyable time for both of you. Give your dog a tiny treat and talk to it as you inspect its ears, eyes and mouth.
Never insert a cotton bud or anything else into your dog’s ear. You could damage its ear drum and give your dog pain and permanent hearing loss.
If your dog’s eyes are red or have lots of gunk, there may be an infection.
If a dog’s breath is stinky see your vet.
Do both: give your dog bones or dental biscuits, AND clean its teeth. Work up to it. Give praise while you do it, and give your dog a treat afterwards.
How often your dog needs a check-up depends on the age of your dog, its breed, its health and its lifestyle.
Many problems can be discovered and prevented with a vet’s examination of what appears to be a healthy dog. A checkup at least once a year is mandatory.
If you can walk your dog often enough you will have no ‘tapping’ and you will have a happier dog. Meanwhile, have your vet trim your dog's nails and teach you how to trim them without injuring your dog.
Thanks to journalists Isabel Dayman and Patrick Wright for bringing those figures to my attention.
Shucks! You just missed out on a perfect score.
Wow! A perfect score! Congratulations!
Here, have one of these balls as a reward. Mind the slobber.