How To Identify A Healthy Dog

Disease is generally considered to be the unfavorable de­viation from normal functions. Therefore in order to de­termine the various indications of disease in dogs, it is necessary to recognize the healthy dog. Any departure from nor­malcy might be the beginning of a disease process.

The eyes of the healthy animal are clear and bear an alert expression. The membranes of the eyelids, gums, and mucous membranes have a clean, deep pinkish color. The teeth are clean and free from tartar and the nose is cool and moist. The inside of the ears are of light coloring and do not show deep redness, accumulation of wax, or any sign of inflammation. The healthy skin is clean, pink to whitish in color, and free from dandruff, scurf, or any sign of irritation. It is also soft and pliable, and when pinched or pulled immediately returns to its original position.

The hair of a healthy dog usually bears an unmistakable glossiness. To a certain extent, the character of the coat de­pends on the care given to it by the owner. The animal should be kept properly groomed at all times and this will tend to bring out the shine of the coat. Improper grooming may give an animal an appearance of not doing well and certainly will predispose it to a variety of skin irritations.

The healthy animal has a temperature of about 101V2 de­grees Fahrenheit, has a vigorous appetite, and readily elimi­nates a moist, firm stool once to three times a day. Liberal quantities of clear yellow urine are also eliminated.

These are the major signs of heath in a healthy dog. When any of these signs is lacking, veterinary consultation should be solicited at the earliest possible moment to arrest the de­velopment of any unhealthy condition. Serious consequences are often occasioned by neglect.

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