Canine "Head-to-Toe" Exam
tail-gate exams: Check your dog from "head-to-toe"!
Start at the head:
Eyes: Check for draining, redness, or obvious foreign bodies such as grass awns.
Ears: Check for cuts and bleeding, burs, or other foreign bodies. Ear wounds will bleed for long periods of time. Ticks also like to attach in the ears.
Nose: Check for drainage and foreign bodies such as porcupine quills.
Mouth: Sticks can get struck in the roof of the mouth, the tongue could be lacerated or other foreign bodies could be causing your dog discomfort.
Ears: Check for cuts and bleeding, burs, or other foreign bodies. Ear wounds will bleed for long periods of time. Ticks also like to attach in the ears.
Nose: Check for drainage and foreign bodies such as porcupine quills.
Mouth: Sticks can get struck in the roof of the mouth, the tongue could be lacerated or other foreign bodies could be causing your dog discomfort.
Feel the hair coat and skin of the head, neck, and front legs:
Many cuts and puncture wounds are hard to see because the hair covers them. Feel the joints in the front legs for swelling and/or heat or signs of pain.
Examine the chest:
Cuts from fences or other objects are common on the chest. The dog's hair coat can easily hide deep wounds.
Pick up the feet:
Toenails: Ripped toe nails are painful and will bleed easily.
Toe webs: the sensitive skin between the toes can be but or torn or pick up foreign bodies such as slivers and burs.
Pads: Cuts in the pads of the feet are very painful for dogs.
Toe webs: the sensitive skin between the toes can be but or torn or pick up foreign bodies such as slivers and burs.
Pads: Cuts in the pads of the feet are very painful for dogs.
Feel the hair coat and skin over the back and on the belly. Lay your dog on his side to examine his belly.
Armpits and flanks: These are a common place for ticks and cuts that are easily hidden in the folds of the skin.
Belly: Ticks and scrapes are common on the underside of hunting dogs.
Back: Cuts from fences or other obstacles are common over the back.
Belly: Ticks and scrapes are common on the underside of hunting dogs.
Back: Cuts from fences or other obstacles are common over the back.
examine the hind legs:
Feel the joints for swelling and/or heat or signs of pain.
Remember to pick up the feet and check the toes like you did on the front feet.
Remember to pick up the feet and check the toes like you did on the front feet.
check the tail ..... and under it!
Tails can get cuts on them from hitting objects while the dog wags his tail or runs past objects. Tails bleed a lot, just like ears.
Check under the tail for signs of diarrhea, cuts or wounds.
Check under the tail for signs of diarrhea, cuts or wounds.
tips:
*Practice at home. A tailgate exam should only take a minute. If you practice, your dog will like his "massage" and behave better, allowing the exam to take less time. You will also start to develop a routine so you won't be likely to miss a step. Dogs enjoy the one-on-one time with you and this helps strengthen your bond with your hunting dog.
*You are never too busy to do a tailgate exam. Even if you have been hunting all day and have a four hour drive home, the extra minute spent on each dog could save you time and money in the future. The longer it takes to get your dog to the vet, the more time and money it takes to fix the problem. Your dog will appreciate prompt attention to both minor problems by you and larger problems by your veterinarian.
Good luck in all of your future hunts!
*You are never too busy to do a tailgate exam. Even if you have been hunting all day and have a four hour drive home, the extra minute spent on each dog could save you time and money in the future. The longer it takes to get your dog to the vet, the more time and money it takes to fix the problem. Your dog will appreciate prompt attention to both minor problems by you and larger problems by your veterinarian.
Good luck in all of your future hunts!