A homeowner may find unnecessary to bring his dog to the vet when he is in perfect health.
Even if the owner of a dog maintains regularly, it has neither the experience nor the technical means for the veterinary to detect misstatements or symptoms. For example, heart disease early in evolution is often diagnosed on auscultation.
An annual checkup is recommended and is usually performed during the immunization visit.
The reviews may vary and are at the discretion of the veterinarian and may include the following steps:
History of the Dog
The veterinarian collects a variety of information on the dog, especially the unusual items that the owner would have noted since the last visit. It is important that it reports all observed changes, even if they seem trivial to him. The practitioner also checks that the dog is proper breathing.
Animal Weight
In France, 30 to 40% of dogs are overweight. Weighing to check if the dog is the correct weight for its size.
Gain or Weight loss may indicate that the power is no longer suitable, but can also indicate certain diseases.
Temperature
Increased temperature may be the particularly infectious process, in this case, vaccination is usually postponed.
Review of Fur and Skin
The vet checks the quality of the hair and inspects the skin depilated areas, pigmented signs of dermatitis, seborrhea, dander, skin mass, noise, etc..
Ear Exam
The pavilion and the entrance to the ear canal are inspected, in the case of abnormal signs, a review of the scope deep ear canal and the eardrum may be needed.
Eye Exam
Lesions (redness of the conjunctiva, lacrimation modified, abnormal appearance of the cornea, lens opaque, etc.) It can be detected.
In this case, additional tests are usually performed (a measurement of tear production, research, and corneal ulcers, fundus examination, measurement of intraocular pressure, etc..).
Examination of the Mouth
It focuses in particular on the teeth, with an evaluation of the degree of calcification and its consequences (gingivitis, loose teeth or mobile), the vet can then advise scaling. Possible oral mucosal lesions (mass, ulcers, etc.) are also sought.
Testicular Exam
Their size and regularity are appreciated: testicular tumors can indeed be met and are more common in older dogs.
Abdominal Palpation
This palpation aims to search for signs of abdominal pain, the presence of an infra-abdominal mass, abnormal organ size.
Pulmonary and Cardiac Auscultation
The heart and lung auscultation used to find abnormal sounds (heart murmur, respiratory rales, etc.) And assess the frequency and heart rate.
Palpation and Manipulation of Joints
This manipulation more particularly the hips and knees. The frequency and severity of degenerative joint disorders increase with age.
In older dogs, the veterinarian may suggest further tests: blood test for diabetes, renal or hepatic failure, etc.
If chronic or progressive disease was identified previously, it may be desirable to bring balance visits to monitor, assess the effectiveness of treatments. Specific tests may be useful: measurement of uremia in chronic renal failure, chest X-ray for a heart dog, etc.
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