- The Basics of
Vaccinations [article] - Help for Hairballs [article]
- How Lavender Can
Help Your Pet [article] - Tough Decisions [article]
- Caring for a Sick
Pet [article]
Your animal might be in poor health without your realizing it. Perform this brief exam to get a much better idea of your pet's actual state. Then resolve any concerns that arise by consulting your vet.
1. Does the hair coat feel greasy? Is the skin color a normal gray-white or is it pink or red with inflammation? Do you see dandruff-like scales of dead skin among the hairs?
2. Use your fingers to brush the hair against the grain. Do you see numerous little black specks? These are the excreta of fleas.
3. Now smell your fingers. If the odor they picked up is rancid, rank or fishy, it's a sign of poor health.
4. As you examine the eyes, check for matter in the corners. Pull down the lower eyelids so you can see the underside. Are the lids red inside or irritated on the edges?
5. Look into the ear holes. Do you see a lot of wax? Do the insides look oily? Sniff to check for an offensive odor.