Your new puppy has arrived and you are probably overjoyed by the fact that the long awaited day is finally here. At this point, you are probably getting your house ready for a puppy and you may be planning a few days off for when your new puppy arrives home.
There are so many things that you will be doing that it can be an almost overwhelming time for many new owners. Preparing for the next gundog sensation in your home is not always an easy task but it should be done before your puppy arrives.
One thing that I always see many people doing is the important health check. This should be done at the veterinarian shortly after your puppy arrives home with you but it is also important that you check your puppy’s health before you leave the breeders.
This should actually be done in several ways. First, you should check the overall health of the dam and, if possible, the sire of your puppy. Second, you will want to check the overall cleanliness of the breeder’s facilities. Third, you will want to look at the overall health of all the puppies and finally, you will want to check the health of your puppy.
When it comes to the parents, it is important to gauge how they look. First, make sure that their eyes are clear and also check the ears if you can without upsetting the dog. Ask the breeder for documents concerning the health checks and clearances. If the breeder doesn’t have those, then I would recommend that you look for another breeder.
If the dam looks undernourished and her nose is dry and cracked, then ask questions about her health. Gear them towards the whelping and rearing of the puppies. Was it a difficult time for her? What was she being fed? Many dams will look a little washed out from raising puppies but she shouldn’t look unhealthy.
The next area that you will want to check to determine the health of your puppy is the facilities. Ask yourself these questions. Are the kennels clean? Are the puppies raised in the house? Is there ample protection from the elements?
If any of those questions are no, it is time to look for a different breeder because you want to ensure that your puppy has the best start in life.
Finally, the last thing that you will want to check is your puppy’s litter mates before you leave the breeders. Make sure that all the puppies have a healthy weight and that they are all active. Also make sure that they have cool moist noses and that their eyes are bright.
Now that you have checked the health of the breeder’s facilities, dogs and puppies, you can begin to look at the health of your own puppy. When you do this, there are actually eight areas that you need to look at and I have gone through each one.
Although I recommend making a health check when you choose your puppy, it is also important to continue to make regular health checks on your puppy after you bring him home. In addition, you should make sure that you take your puppy to see a veterinarian so that a medical health check can be done.
The Puppy Health Check:
All puppy health checks can be done quite easily during grooming sessions.
• Body: This is very important and you should take time every week to check your puppy. All that you need to do is run your hands down the length of his body while you are grooming your puppy or simply petting him. If you find any lumps, take a moment to visually check them and if they seem suspicious, contact your veterinarian.
• Skin: This is another important area to check to ensure that your puppy is healthy. To check the skin, simply watch while you are stroking your dog’s coat. Most dogs have skin that is a greyish-white in color so look for that. If you find that the skin is inflamed, your puppy may have allergies. If you see any abrasions or cuts, clean them out and then check them daily until they are healed to ensure that there is no infections.
• Coat: Your puppy’s coat should be checked for fleas on a regular basis and you should also make sure that the coat is free of debris and mats.
• Eyes: Eyes should be bright and free of heavy discharge and discoloration. If you find that your puppy has red or yellow in the whites of his eyes with or without heavy discharge, contact your vet.
• Ears: This is very important for any dog that has long pendulous ears since water and dirt can get trapped in them easily. Make sure your puppy’s ears are not hot to the touch or inflamed. Also check to see if there is a foul odour coming from them. If you find both, contact your vet.
• Mouth: Check your puppy’s mouth to make sure that the gums are a healthy pink color and that there are no discoloration on the teeth. Also check for a foul odour and if you find one, express your concerns to your vet.
• Legs and Feet: While you should check your puppy’s legs periodically for joint swelling, it is important to check your puppy’s feet on a regular basis to make sure that there are no debris caught between the toes.
• Nose: If your puppy does not have a slightly cool and wet nose, then something may be wrong.
And that is your puppy health check. If you make it part of your regular grooming routine, you will find that it can be done quickly and painlessly.