What to Expect From a Puppy Health Examination
Puppy health examinations are an important part of your new puppy’s wellness program. The exam focuses on detecting and treating disease early, so that your puppy can enjoy a long, healthy life.
During your dog’s first health examination, the vet will ask about your pet’s diet, exercise routine, elimination habits, and any problems you may have noticed. Your veterinarian will also evaluate your pet’s weight, gait, and general condition.
Your veterinarian will also listen to your pet’s heart and lungs with a stethoscope. This is an excellent way to check for any changes in your dog’s heart rhythm or a change in the size of his heart.
If any abnormalities are detected, your veterinarian will do an X-ray to further assess your dog’s heart and lungs. X-rays can reveal many different problems, including infections, tumors, and heart valve disorders.
The exam also includes a physical examination of your pet’s body, including his eyes, ears, skin, nose, and mouth. Your veterinarian will be able to see your pet’s ears and eyelids, and examine the ear canal for discharge, infection, or ear mites. 강아지 건강검진
Gums and Ears
Your pet’s gums help assess overall health based on color and moisture. Dry, tacky gums suggest dehydration, which can cause weight loss, muscle loss, and internal diseases.
Abnormal gums can indicate problems in your pet’s liver or respiratory or circulatory systems. Your veterinarian will also examine your pet’s teeth for tartar buildup, retained baby teeth, broken teeth, excessive salivation, and other issues.
A veterinarian’s exam of your pet’s throat will involve feeling a series of lymph nodes located under your pet’s jaw and in front of his shoulders. These nodes can be enlarged in some cases of lymphoma or other types of cancer.
During the examination, your veterinarian will carefully inspect your pet’s neck to examine for signs of lumps, swelling, or other abnormalities. This includes evaluating the lymph nodes, which can signal infections or inflammation, as well as the thyroid gland, which is not usually palpable.
In addition to examining the ear and throat, your veterinarian will look at the nose for swelling or other abnormalities. If any symmetry is found, your vet will further evaluate it using an ophthalmoscope.
The skin and coat are an excellent indicator of your pet’s health status, and should be smooth, shiny, and free of any rashes or hot spots. If your pet’s coat is oily or greasy, that may be a sign of an allergy.
If your pet’s skin appears to be prone to allergies, your veterinarian will discuss treatments that can relieve your dog’s symptoms and keep it clear of the allergens. You can also ask your vet about skin supplements that can help to avoid future outbreaks of rashes and other skin ailments. 뱃아너스
Your vet will also be able to listen to your pet’s heart and eardrum with a stethoscope. Typically, dogs don’t show any external signs of heart problems, but your veterinarian can detect them with a thorough listening exam.