Unless you have a very special dog that has mastered human language, realizing that your pup has a stomachache is rarely as simple as just asking. However, our dogs do give us signs that they are not well. By just paying attention to your dog’s behavior and body, you can comprehend more than you might think. This section will provide you with tips on how to keep your dog healthy, signs to look for if you think your dog might be ill, and ways to help your dog in case of an illness or injury.
We’ve already discussed the importance of grooming to keep your dog healthy. Another basic health measure to which owners often do not pay enough attention is exercise. A quick jog to the food dish is not enough to qualify your dog as active. A dog that gets frequent exercise has a higher metabolism and a healthier immune system, and is much happier. You’ll be much happier, too, as dogs who exercise frequently can be much less likely to have annoying little habits like jumping, chewing, and whining. So how much exercise is enough?
Your dog should get half an hour of vigorous exercise at least four days a week. Every day is even better, and that half an hour a day may be even easier than you think. As with a person starting an exercise regimen, start off gradually and build up your dog’s workout. You can play catch or Frisbee together, or he can jog alongside you as you both enjoy the benefits of exercise. Or try walking with your dog to your errands instead of driving, to get both of you fit while you spare the air.
It is estimated that between one-quarter and one-half of all dogs in the United States are at least 15 percent overweight. Most of these dogs, like many people, are simply eating too much at mealtime, eating too many sweet and fatty snacks, and not getting enough exercise. Our dogs seem to suffer the same consequences of obesity as we do: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and increased risk of cancer and other diseases that compromise good general health and may decrease life expectancy. Weight gain in pets also has a profound effect on their joints. Hips and knees work much better when not required to bear extra unnecessary pounds. For dogs, the risk of joint damage seems to be cumulative from a young age and with only moderate weight gains. Actual weight is not an accurate indication of whether or not your pet is at her ideal weight for her breed, size, and age. Your veterinarian can give you a chart or guidelines for judging your pet’s body condition. Just as in people, weight-control in dogs is both a health issue and a quality-of-life issue.
Knowing what is normal in terms of basic health can be confusing, especially for a first-time dog owner. Your vet may ask you questions about respiration or heart rate if you call with health concerns, and it is best to be educated about how to check these vital signs and what is normal before that happens. Always remember that dramatic behavior change may be a sign of sickness or pain. Does your dog shrink back or snap at you when you touch certain areas while petting her? She may be in pain and trying to let you know.
Heart Rate:
To check your dog’s heart rate, use your middle and first finger to lightly touch high up on the inner thigh where it meets the body. If you are unable to feel the pulse on the inner thigh, try the underside of the ankle, right above the heel pad. Once you have located the pulse, watch the second hand of a clock and count the beats for fifteen seconds. Multiply by four to get the heart rate for one minute. The normal heart-rate range for puppies up to one year is 120 to 160 beats per minute (bpm). For adult dogs thirty pounds or less, it should be 100 to 160 bpm, and for dogs over thirty pounds, 60 to 100 bpm.
Respiration Rate:
To check your dog’s respiration rate, count how many times your dog’s ribs rise and fall for 15 seconds, using the second hand of a watch. Multiply by four to get the respiration rate for one minute. The normal resting respiration rate for adult dogs is ten to thirty breaths per minute.
Temperature:
Taking your dog’s temperature is not the most enjoyable experience for either of you. We all wish it could be taken just as easily as a human’s, with the thermometer under the tongue, but I’m afraid this is not the case. It is most easily done with two people—one to hold and scratch her head to distract her, and one to insert the rectal thermometer. While the other person is holding your dog’s head, shake the rectal thermometer down to 96°F or lower. Dip the end of the thermometer into lubricating jelly. Insert it for three minutes while you gently hold your dog under the stomach and the other person scratches her head. Remove the thermometer and gently wipe the bulb end with a tissue or paper towel. Avoid touching the end of the thermometer with your skin and affecting the reading. Normal temperature for dogs is 101.5°F, but is commonly within the range of 100.2 to 102.8°F. Above 104°F or below 99°F may be a sign of illness.