【New Pet Arrives Home】What examinations do dogs need when they first arrive at home?
A new dog at home, the owner should first pay attention to the health issues.
Preparing to take the dog for a physical examination, what is during a physical examination? Is a comprehensive examination needed?
The above questions will be answered in detail for you by Dr. Chen Xiaolin from the Reputable Pet Hospital. Please reading!
Overview of dog examination items
The physical examination should be chosen according to the actual situation of the dog, such as age, physical condition, etc., and doctor will also make relevant suggestions. Take your dog to a regular pet hospital for a physical examination, and let’s understand these examination items first:
| Examination Content | Examination Content and Purpose |
|---|---|
| Routine Physical Examination | A comprehensive assessment of the dog’s overall health status through visual inspection, palpation, and auscultation of the entire body. |
| Ear Secretion Examination | Dogs living together before adoption can easily develop Malassezia and ear mites. |
| Skin Examination | Poor living conditions before adoption can lead to skin diseases such as pyoderma. |
| Fecal Examination | If the dog was infected with parasites before adoption, it can cause a decline in immunity and malnutrition. |
| Biochemistry | Mainly observes whether liver and kidney functions are abnormal. |
| Blood Count | Examines the shape and quantity of blood cells to determine if they are abnormal. |
| X-ray | Mainly observes the heart, lungs, and bones for any abnormalities, and checks for stones. |
| Abdominal Ultrasound | Primarily used to determine pregnancy status. |
| Urinalysis | Assists in diagnosing kidney disease and urinary system disorders. |
| Infectious Disease Testing | For newly adopted dogs, it is important to test for highly harmful infectious diseases such as canine distemper and parvovirus, as their previous resistance status is unknown. |
What items does my dog need to be checked?
New puppy at home for a physical examination
Puppies, due to their incomplete development, have a lower risk of potential diseases. they are in good health, they generally only need a basic examination.
- If the puppy has not completed the vaccination when brought home, it must be tested for infectious (canine distemper, parvovirus, coronavirus).
- If the seller indicates that the vaccination has been completed but does not provide an immunization certificate it is necessary to test for infectious disease antibodies (including rabies antibodies).
- Other necessary examination items: basic physical examination (temperature measurement), skin and external ear examination, and blood routine examination.
Adult and senior dog examinations
For dogs adopted or rescued midway, most are already adults. It is recommended to have a comprehensive.
- Since elderly dogs are prone to various health issues that are not easily detected, X-rays, biochemical tests, and ultrasound examinations are necessary.
2 If the vaccination status of an adult dog is unknown, it is also necessary to test for infectious disease antibodies to facilitate future vaccination arrangements. (Those with insufficient antibodies need to be vacc as soon as possible).
Frequency of examinations
After a dog reaches adulthood, an annual examination can be arranged. For senior dogs (over 7 years old, it is recommended to have an examination every six months. In daily life, owners can also perform a simple examination for their dogs, such as checking the skin during grooming, examining ear canal secretions, checking the paw pads, and observing the stool condition, etc.
