What health checks do dogs need?

Ears should be checked by lifting the ear flap and looking inside, also gently feeling behind and below the whole ear. Check your dog is free from pain, has no dirt and wax, and has no odour – a strong smell may indicate a problem. Mouth health can be checked by gently lifting up your dog’s lip folds to check their teeth and opening the jaw to check in their mouth, looking for tartar on the teeth, if your dog has lots they may need to go to the vets and have this removed as it can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Eyes should be checked to ensure they are not red and there is no excessive discharge, monitor the eyes for any cloudiness this could be a sign of cataracts developing. Nose should be checked for any excessive discharge, and also for any coughing or sneezing. Body should be checked regularly for any lumps and bumps, note if any are changing size or shape, look for any bald patches, irritations, soreness or scabs, and check for fleas and keep an eye on any excessive scratching or nibbling. Feet should be lifted up and gently checked, keeping an eye on the length of their nails, if your dog mainly walks on grass or soft ground, you may need to cut them regularly. Vaccinations should be given yearly by your vet and will protect your dog from potentially fatal diseases. Worming treatments should be given approximately every three months, and flea treatments should be given every couple of months.

Using certain health screening schemes allows you to find out if your dog is affected by breed-specific health issues, such as eye disease or breathing problems. Regular screening can also allow you to understand more about your dog's risk of developing these issues and how this risk may change over time. Knowing in advance which diseases your dog may develop could help you to take preventative steps to support their health and potentially avoid costly vet bills. You can find the results for any DNA tests or screening schemes recorded by us on our Health Test Results Finder. Find a health testing clinics near you If you're thinking of using any of our health screening schemes, but would like to find a health testing event near you, then you can find a list of health testing clinics that are run by us, breed clubs or various dog shows. Our Breeds A-Z gives advice to breeders about the breed-specific health schemes they should use, but talk to your vet if you think that any of these are relevant to your dog.

All dogs benefit from a regular check up at the vet. A good time to get your dog checked over is while they are having their annual booster vaccination. During their check up, your vet will be able to examine your dog's overall health, their teeth and their mobility. This can help them spot any hidden health conditions. It's also a good idea to perform regular health checks at home to help you spot potential problems early. You can do this by: feeling for any lumps and bumps by running your hand over your dog's coat and under their fur, checking their paws for any cuts or scrapes, looking for any fur loss, lifting your dog’s ears to make sure they’re clear of discharge and odour, checking their gums and teeth for build up of plaque and inflammation. Vaccinating your dog protects them against infectious diseases that can make your dog very unwell and, in some cases, be fatal. Dogs need regular flea and worming treatment to prevent parasites. Always consult your vet on the best treatment for your dog, and remember to keep their treatments up to date to keep your dog healthy. Brushing your dog's teeth daily is the best way to prevent dental disease, but a suitable diet and dental chews can also help to stop plaque from building up. Keeping your dog in shape and preventing them from becoming overweight is essential to keeping them healthy.

An annual health check is important to ensure that your pet is in top condition, and any problems are identified and addressed in good time. When your pet has a full health examination – we would typically look at the following: body temperature heart rate, rhythm and evaluation for heart murmurs weight and body condition score eye examination - including ocular reflexes, cataract assessment, retinal and corneal examination ear examination mouth/dental examination - including dental and gingivitis scoring skin/fur examination palpation of lymph nodes and lumps/growths joints/movement and gait evaluation palpation of the abdomen neurological reflexes. We would also check for signs of parasites, such as fleas and worms and provide authorisation for prescription flea/worm treatment to cover the next 12 months, if required. All pets should have a full health check once per year, usually at the time of their annual vaccination. We recommend that older pets, cats over ten years, dogs over eight years old, are checked every six months as they can be prone to developing age related health conditions.