June 01, 2020
With everything going on in the world, many pet parents have been spending considerably more time at home over the past few months. While humans are rather divided on the topic, most of our furry companions couldn’t be happier to have us around more often. After all, less time at the office means more time to play, more treats, and more mid-afternoon snuggle-sessions. The additional quality time with your pet is not only a great way to strengthen the human-animal bond – it’s a perfect excuse to start performing routine, basic wellness exams in the safety and comfort of your own home. By routinely completing the wellness checklist below, you can familiarize yourself with your pet’s “normal,” making it easier to spot subtle changes that may warrant medical attention.
While nothing can compare to the experience of a trained veterinarian, doing a quick check-up at home between routine veterinary visits can serve as a form of preventative medicine. As prey species, small mammals are experts at hiding signs of illness or discomfort. Unfortunately, this inherently stoic disposition means even the most well-meaning pet parent can miss the subtle signs of a brewing health issue. Performing a thorough “once over” on your pet, along with regular behavior observations, can help you detect abnormalities as they first appear. Addressing concerns before they have a chance to balloon into a bigger problem will help limit potential complications and aid in a quick, smooth recovery.
While some small pets love being up close and personal with their humans, others are less enthusiastic about being handled. It is important to be thoughtful of your pet’s personal preferences. To keep your kiddo’s stress at a minimum, perform your examination in a safe, familiar environment. If you and your little one already enjoy regularly scheduled cuddle time, your small friend may simply mistake their wellness exam for an especially thorough massage. If your kiddo prefers to remain “socially distant,” however, treats, patience, and a lot of praise can help create a positive association with the increased physical contact. Always respect your little one’s boundaries and never force an interaction when your pet is stressed or acting aggressively. The goal of at-home check-ups is to keep your kiddo as healthy as possible, not induce unnecessary stress. Even if your pet never warms up to the idea of a full-body exam, you can still complete several steps of the following checklist simply by observing your friend from a safe, mutually-appreciated distance.
Though there is no set rule, when looking over your pet, it is often easiest to work from the front of the body to the back of the body. If your pet becomes overly stressed, stop the examination and pick-up where you left off after your kiddo has had time to calm down. If you make any abnormal discoveries during the exam, make a note and call your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Normal: Healthy eyes are bright, clear, and free of discharge. Both eyes should be wide and alert.
Abnormal: Squinting, repetitive winking/blinking or red, inflamed eyes (possibly with discharge or excess tear production), could be a sign of infection or injury. Swollen or bulging eyes, or eyes that have taken on a cloudy hue, can be a sign of underlying illness.
If your furry companion has smaller, rounded ears, you may have a little trouble visualizing the inner folds and opening to the ear canal. Pets with long or floppy ears or those with hair that covers the ears may take a bit more effort to get a good look. If your friend is comfortable with it, you may be able to use a small light to get a better look at the dark recesses within the ear. It is incredibly important to never stick anything down inside your pet’s ear canal.
A stuffy nose may not seem like a big deal, but as obligate nasal breathers (they should breathe through their nose rather than their mouth), congestion can be a very worrisome sign in our small companions. Luckily, it should be quite easy to get a good look at your pet’s sniffer without having to invade their personal bubble.
An awful lot is going on inside those teeny-tiny mouths. Though it’s nearly impossible to get a good look in the back of your little friend’s mouth at home, you should be able to get a decent idea of your pet’s oral health through general observations and minimal physical manipulation.
Not only are your pet’s feet adorable, they are incredibly important for maintaining overall health. While you may be able to observe general foot health from afar, you will likely have to handle your pet to some degree to get a true idea of their foot fitness.
Monitoring your pet’s coat and overall body condition requires a more hands-on approach. Running your hands over your pet’s body will allow you to feel for any abnormalities and assess your pet’s body condition (level of body fat). Some of our more physically affectionate friends will revel in the additional attention, but if yours is less socially inclined, you may have to perform a modified examination tailored to meet their comfort level.
Though not the most glamorous portion of a complete wellness exam, it is important to keep a close eye on your little one’s hind end as well as their fecal and urinary output. Depending on species and hair coat, you may be able to assess this in your pet with minimal handling.
The final aspect of a complete wellness exam is simply careful observation. While it is important to keep track of all the physical changes you note during an at-home check-up, it is equally important to observe for more subtle changes.
The best way to keep track of the results from your wellness check is to keep accurate records. Keeping a simple, though detailed chart (like the one below) allows you to visually compare results from one check to the next and will allow you to easily recall findings when speaking to your vet. Keeping a record next to your fur baby’s cage ensures ready access for easy recording.
As dedicated pet parents, we all want our fur babies to live long, comfortable lives. Though a thorough at-home wellness exam is no substitute for routine veterinary care, keeping a close eye on your little one between visits is the best way to ensure abnormalities are caught and addressed by your veterinarian as quickly as possible. The above checklist is a great starting point for monitoring your pet’s health, but if you should ever observe anything outside of your pet’s “normal”, it is always best to call your vet.
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