Dog Veterinary Examination

The veterinarian's examination will depend on the reason you brought your dog in to be checked. If you want your veterinarian to do the things you should be doing routinely at home he or she will gladly do everything. The vet will in addition listen to the heart and lungs and perhaps take a rectal temperature. Blood may be taken for a heartworm test and an examination of feces for intestinal parasites may be performed. Also your dog may be given its routine inoculations.

If on the other hand your dog has a problem, the vet dons a Sherlock Holmes hat and becomes a detective. He or she must have clues to arrive at a solution of the problem. And this is when you must give clear, concise information in answer to many questions. Then come laboratory tests of blood, urine, and stool, and even other body fluids. And X rays may be desirable.

Since most dog owners have to be concerned with economics, veterinarians do not usually call for the dozens of tests that are frequently and routinely run on people. We call only for the tests that we think will be helpful in a diagnosis of the specific problem. If the results are inconclusive, repeat tests and additional tests may be called for until a pattern is observed that leads to a diagnosis.

The following are the ways by which a vet doctor may carry out a primary check up for a dog physical examination.

Eyes – To find out the incidence of cataracts and diseases related to retina the doctor uses the ophthalmoscope. The occurrence of retinal disease may also indicate the development of high blood pressure and other forms of infection. At certain cases the Glaucoma screening is also recommended for affected dogs.

Ears – The ears are generally checked with the help of the otoscope. The otoscope helps to see deep into the long and angled ear canals and the ear drums of the dogs as well as cats. With the aid of the instrument the doctor would be easily able to see the existence of the parasites and infections inside the ear.

Mouth – the mouth of you dog would be examined to find out the presence of lesions and tumors. The teeth of your canine pet would be keenly checked the development of tartar, abscess, gum diseases, tooth missing and fractures.

Hear and Lungs – For thorough check up of the heart and lungs the doctor would probably check the pulse, auscultation with the aid of stethoscope and such. The color of the gums are examined, the level of the moisture of the gums are also checked. The capillary refilling time is checked by gently pressing the gums.

Abdomen – The abdomen is also examined by feeling it with hands. The enlargement of any internal organ is also checked. The organs like liver, spleen and occurrence of bladder stones and intestinal abnormalities are also deeply analyzed.

The doctor would also examine the skin, lymph nodes, nervous system and the external genitals very well to find out the presence of any parasites or any abnormal system functions.