Working on your pet observation skills at home (and when your pet isn't ill) will aid your veterinarian in providing the best possible care and diagnostic services for your pet.

Difficulty Level: easy      Time Required: varies

1. Take note of the amount of food your pet eats on a daily basis, and their appetite level.
2. Change your pet's water daily. Is amount of water drank each day roughly the same amount?
3. Look at your pet's ears. Is there any odor, redness, itchiness, or discharge?
4. Have you noticed any bad breath? How do the teeth and gums look? Does your pet have pain or difficulty eating or swallowing?
5. Watch for increased frequency, pain, and blood when your pet urinates. Is your pet spending more time when urinating? Is your pet urinating more often or having "accidents"?
6. Are bowel movements consistent? Any change in size (diameter) or consistency should be noted. Watch for straining, pain, and blood, as with urination.
7. Has your pet experienced weight loss or gain? When did you first notice? Has there been a change in diet?
8. Have any new shampoos or topical flea treatments been used?
9. Is your pet on any medications? If yes, for now long? Is the medication adequately effective for your pet's problem?
10. Has your pet exhibited any new or odd behaviors? Does this coincide with any changes to the household (new baby, new pet, remodeling, etc.)?
11. Were any problems noted after the last vaccination(s)?
12. If you (and your vet) are monitoring a lump, a good way to keep track of changes is to trace the perimeter of the lump on wax paper, date it, and check it weekly or monthly.
13. Noting any of the above changes on a calendar or diary will be a tremendous help recognizing new developments with your pet's health.
14. The information presented to your veterinarian will enable your veterinarian to diagnose and care for your pet as efficiently as possible.
    

1. An inexpensive notebook or planner is a good way to log pet health observations and medical records. It is easy to keep track of time and to have all of the health information in one place.
2. Ask your vet to show you how to care for your pet's ears and teeth at home, for routine maintenance.
3. Call your vet when you first notice that your pet is ill or "just not himself".
   

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