What methods are there to tell a healthy dog from a sick dog?

In order to keep a dog healthy, dog owners need basic dog-keeping knowledge and must understand what kind of dog is a healthy dog. So how do you tell a healthy dog from a sick dog?

A healthy posture should show a natural, balanced curve when standing, with upright limbs and no deformities. The front chest is broad, the abdomen is tucked in, and the body has full muscles (especially the muscles of the hips and back), firm and strong. The tip of the nose is slightly cool, and there is no discharge from the mouth, nose, eyes, anus, preputial opening or vulva, and the hair around the perineum is clean. The lips, oral cavity and tongue mucosa show no ulcers or discharge. The teeth are firm, white, and free of tartar or gum ulcers, and the sclera of the eyes shows no yellow discoloration. The limb joints move freely, with no swelling or tenderness. The animal does not scratch, and does not lick or bite its body, head, neck or limbs. The skin is snug against the body wall and elastic. At the same time, pay more attention to observing the dog's daily life, and if any abnormality is found, promptly ask a veterinarian to diagnose and treat it. The following points must be noted frequently:

1. Appetite: if a dog shows no interest in food it usually likes or food with a good smell, and its food intake decreases or it completely refuses to eat, this is abnormal.

2. Vomiting: dogs, like cats, are carnivores that vomit relatively easily. Slightly unsuitable food may cause vomiting. This is not necessarily a disease. If persistent vomiting occurs, it should be taken seriously.

3. Diarrhea: diarrhea in a dog is a sign of illness, especially repeated diarrhea, and measures should be taken. Especially for dogs that have not been vaccinated against canine distemper, a veterinarian should be consulted as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.

4. Sneezing or tearing: sneezing or tearing are the main signs of a cold or influenza, and if medical attention is sought in time, the results are generally good.

5. Dryness or moisture of the nose tip: the nose tip of a normal dog is black and moist. If it is excessively wet and dripping nasal fluid, it may be a cold; if the nose tip is dry and rough, it is a sign of fever.

6. Difficulty drinking water: when a dog sees a water bowl, it often walks over on its own wanting to drink. But if it wants to drink and cannot, or water that enters the mouth drips out again, in nine cases out of ten there is a problem in the throat, such as pharyngitis. Dogs with rabies are extremely thirsty, but because of pharyngeal paralysis they cannot drink, and sometimes the sight of water can cause frenzy.

7. Shaking the head and scratching the ears: these are characteristic symptoms of ear disease. If the inside of the ear is dirty and smelly, there may be parasites; if there is dandruff on the ear tips, there may be mange mites.

8. Drooling: when there is disease in the oral cavity (such as stomatitis, glossitis, oral mucosal ulcers and dental disease, etc.), drooling is a characteristic symptom, and bad breath can also be smelled. During the excitation stage of rabies, the dog drools profusely.

9. Frequent urination or defecation: a dog frequently makes the motions of urinating or defecating, but cannot pass urine or stool, or only traces of stool or urine are seen. Frequent urination in a dog may mean a problem with the bladder or urethra, and frequent defecation may mean a problem with the intestines, and the dog should be taken to a veterinary hospital in time for medical attention.

10. Scratching the skin: if a dog appears restless and frequently scratches its own skin and coat, it means the dog has fleas or lice parasitizing it, or is infected with mange, fungal skin disease, eczema or pseudorabies. At this time, the dog's coat is thin, and there may also be bald patches.

11. Color of the gums and tongue: the redder the color, the healthier; white indicates anemia, and may also be intestinal parasites or blood in the stool (parvovirus disease or hookworm disease).

12. Most healthy dogs run and jump about and play together with other dogs. If a dog sleeps alone, it is mostly a sign of poor health. In short, when a dog shows the above signs or other abnormal conditions and still does not improve after a relatively long time, it should be taken to a veterinary hospital in time for diagnosis and treatment, and one must never hesitate or delay.