5 Tips to Assess Your Pet's Health

Pet Health Advice from Your Azusa Veterinarian

pet health advice Azuza veterinarian

How do you know your pet is healthy? Even though your pet may seem to be acting normal, hidden health issues could be developing that your pet can't tell you about. Also, dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and pocket pets will instinctively try to hide medical issues; a behavior reaching back to their undomesticated days when appearing vulnerable to predators was dangerous to their survival.

5 Tips for Evaluating Your Pet's General Health

1. Eyes - Look closely at your pet's eyes. Are they clear and free of discharge? Are the pupils the same size? If one pupil is smaller than the other, this could indicate a neurological disorder. Also, trim any hair that is interfering with your pet's ability to blink or see.

2. Teeth/Gums - Inspect your pet's teeth and gums as much as you can without upsetting your pet. Gently pull away your pet's lips and look for yellowing of teeth, bleeding gums, abscesses/swelling or missing teeth. If you see any of these problems, please call your Azusa veterinarian to schedule an appointment. Neglecting to treat pet dental problems could cause your pet to eventually suffer pain and infection.

3. Ears - Outer and inner ears should be clean and free of scabs, crusting and discharge. Foul odors coming from your pet's ear is a strong indication of an existing ear infection that needs a vet's attention immediately. Black specks inside your pet's ears may be dried blood resulting from flea bites.

4. Elimination - Check your pet's feces once a week for signs of worms or blood. Dogs with tapeworms will expel pieces of the tapeworm when they defecate. Cats are more prone to roundworms, which are slightly darker in color than tapeworms. Urine should be clear and plainly yellow, not cloudy or dark yellow. Additionally, animals should not appear to strain when relieving themselves.

5. Skin/Body - Once a week, inspect your pet's skin for unusual lumps, bumps or unhealed lesions. Examine your pet's paw pads and nails for cuts, growths, missing nails or cracked pads. Dogs and cats often suffer torn dew claws that require removal by your Azusa veterinarian to prevent infection from developing.

Visit our Azuza Veterinarian Today

The best way to ensure pets are as healthy as possible is to have Dr. Zabihi perform a complete wellness check on them at least once a year. Call us today to schedule a appointment: 626-357-2251

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