EYES
Clear, bright, shiny
Watch out for;
Excessive discharge,
redness, keeping eye
closed, third eyelid across,
excessive blinking
EARS
NOSE
Clean, free of discharge/waxy buildup
Clear, free from discharge, doesn’t
need to be wet to be healthy!
Watch out for;
Itching/scratching, shaking head,
smelly, waxy build-up, wounds,
cuts/scratches
Watch out for;
Runny nose, discharge, excessive
sneezing
TAIL
No lumps and bumps, no
pain
Watch out for;
Lumps/bumps,
cuts/bruises, difficulty
wagging, licking
TESTES/VAGINA
Males: both descended by 5 months
Females: First season can be anywhere
from 5 months depending on breed.
Season begins with clear discharge for
7-10 days followed by bloody discharge
for 7-10 days.
Call your vet immediately if
you notice anything wrong
with your dog’s eyes
Watch out for;
Males: undescended testes (Contact
your vet)
Females: discharge or swelling (when
not in season)
MOUTH
PENIS/URETHRA/ANUS
Clean, clear, free of faeces
Clean teeth, pink gums (or
black if pigmented), free
from foreign material
Watch out for;
Bleeding gums (normal
when teething),
broken/wobbly teeth,
smelly breath, foreign
material, bright red gums,
pale or blue-ish gums,
over-salivation
Call your vet immediately if
your dog has blueish or
very pale gums, or is having
difficulty breathing.
Watch out for;
Discharge, difficulty toileting,
scooting, urine scalding
URINE/FAECES
Faeces: well-formed, no difficulty
passing.
Urine: clear, no blood, easily passed.
Normal/healthy
Watch out for;
Faeces: blood, mucous, foreign
material, diarrhoea, difficulty passing
Urine: difficulty urinating, smelly,
cloudy, bloody, increased urination.
Watch out for:
Alert/speak to vet
LEGS/PAWS
Please note: This health check information sheet
is meant as a guide only and should not be a
substitute for seeking advice from your vet. If
you have any questions or concerns regarding
your pet’s health, contact your vet immediately.
SKIN AND COAT
Shiny coat, no
redness/soreness of the
skin , no fur loss.
Watch out for;
Lumps/bumps,
cuts/bruises, dry skin,
fur loss, matted fur,
fleas, ticks,
Make a note of the date
you first notice any lumps
or bumps. This is important
diagnostic information for
your vet.
Smooth, painless, nothing between the
toes, claws not too long
Watch out for;
Lumps/bumps, cuts/bruises, limping,
licking paws, broken claws, foreign
material