When Should I Take My Dog To the Veterinarian and What Information Should I Have Available?

It is important for you, as a dog owner, to monitor your dog's health status so that:

You will be aware of health problems as they arise and thus know when your dog should be seen by a veterinarian;

You can provide the veterinarian better information to help him/her treat the problem(s) effectively as quickly as possible;

You will be able to give a knowledgeable response when your veterinarian asks: "When did you first notice the problem and how long has this been a problem?"; and

Your dog becomes trained to allow you and the veterinarian to examine him/her without a lot of resistance.

Have a veterinarian examine your new puppy or new older dog as soon as possible after you acquire it. Watch how s/he handles your dog and ask what s/he is checking and why.

Ask the vet to help you develop a plan for assessing your dog's status on an appropriate schedule, daily, weekly, or some longer period. The period for a given assessment depends on the situation. In any event, you should take your dog for a check-up, any necessary shots, etc., at least annually. Some of the elements to be checked oftener are:

Check food and water intake and elimination each day. A dog "off its feed", especially for more than one day, may be an early indication of a health problem. Loose stools are another indication (again, for more than one day). Drinking too much water, abnormally frequent urination, incontinence, vomiting, or blood in the urine may call for a vet exam. Take a stool or urine sample with you.

Make sure your dog is normally active. Check, as needed, for sore or tender spots, limping, swollen areas, scratches, or other injuries.

Trim, bathe, and brush/comb your dog on a regular basis (at least monthly), as part of the health regimen. Toenails should be trimmed weekly. Be sure to trim the hair on the bottom of the feet so it does not become matted between the pads. Remove any discharge from the corner of each eye every day.

Check your dog's temperature with a rectal thermometer whenever any other items are "not right." Normal temperature for a dog is 10l degrees Fahrenheit, but can vary a degree up or down in healthy dogs. A temperature more than a degree higher or lower than 101 degrees may indicate the need for a visit to your veterinarian.

Be sure to have your veterinarian show you how to check your dog's anal glands, and how to express them if necessary.

Copyright, American Miniature Schnauzer Club, Inc., 2000

Last Updated: April 10, 2000