What are the basic methods for examining dogs?

The first inspection must be to observe the dog's condition.

Whether you are treating a human or a dog, looking, smelling, asking, and caring are always the most basic. The first thing you need to do to check your dog is to observe the dog's condition to see what abnormalities the dog shows, and then conduct a detailed examination of the dog. The usual methods for diagnosing dogs include inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation, etc. Each method has corresponding precautions. So let’s talk about the corresponding diagnostic methods.

1. Visual examination: Visual examination is to use our naked eyes to directly observe the overall condition, local condition, secretions and excrement of the dog.

1. Overall condition: Observe the dog’s size, gender, age, and nutritional status.

2. Mental state: Check whether the dog is excited or depressed.

3. Surface condition: Check whether the dog has any trauma or coat.

4. Physiological activities: Whether there are shortness of breath, drooling, swallowing and other corresponding movements.

Auscultation usually requires the use of a stethoscope

2. Palpation: Palpation is to use fingers, palms, etc. to touch and press to roughly understand the dog’s physiological functions and whether there is any physical damage. Or strange.

1. Body surface condition: Feel the dog’s temperature, whether the skin is elastic, whether there are scabs on the body, or whether there are bags or swelling.

2. Heartbeat: Feel the strength and frequency of the dog’s heartbeat to see if there is any rhythm disorder.

3. Abdomen: Check whether there is tension in the dog’s abdomen, whether there is pain when touched, and whether it is soft.

3. Percussion: Percussion can be divided into direct percussion and indirect percussion. Direct percussion is to directly tap the part of the dog to be examined with your fingers or a percussion hammer. Indirect percussion refers to placing a vibrating razor on the percussed area for percussion.

When performing percussion, pay attention to perform it in a quiet environment, and choose the location for percussion and do not perform it blindly. The percussion board or finger being percussed should be placed firmly but not forcefully on the percussed area. The intensity of tapping should be moderate and not too strong.

4. Auscultation: Generally speaking, auscultation requires the help of a stethoscope, so it may be difficult to perform it at home, and even if you have a stethoscope, the average pet owner may not understand what is normal and what is wrong. There is a problem, so it is best to go to the hospital for diagnosis.