Need to Know: Body Care & Health for Dogs Things you need to know about the health of dogs. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF DOGS Anatomy refers to the form and structure of organisms. In comparison, physiology is the study of the functions of the body and its parts. Physiology looks at the body systems, organs, tissues and cells. The anatomy of dogs varies a great deal from breed to breed. However, all dogs share basic physical characteristics. All dogs have a skeletal and muscular system that supports speed and endurance as well as muzzles that are designed to catch and hold prey. Skull Eye Socket Stop Muzzle Cheek Flews Base of Skull Withers Back Saddle Hip Rump Base of Tail Shoulder Chest Elbow Flank Ribs Under Chest Thigh Tail Forearm Pastern Toes Hock 1
A dog owner has a responsibility to know and understand their dog s anatomy and physiology. Healthy dogs generally show the following signs of well being: Healthy dogs have flexible and smooth skin, without scabs, growths, white flakes or red spots or areas. A dog s hair and coat is glossy and pliable or soft. There are no signs of dandruff, bald spots or oiliness. The nose should be moist and cool and any discharge should be clear. The dog s ears should be clean and light pink, with little sign of wax. There should be no evidence of redness, swelling or scratching around the ears and the dog should not shake his head frequently. The dog s tongue and gums should be firm and a healthy shade of pink. Gums may also be dark or spotted, depending on the colour of the dog s skin. A healthy dog has eyes that are bright and shiny, with no signs of inflammation, swelling or discharge. The whites of the dog s eyes should not be yellowish and its eyelashes should not touch the eye. Urine should be yellow and show no signs of blood. Stools should be brown and firm. A dog that has difficulty passing stools or frequently urinates may be ill. Skin & Hair A dog s skin and hair coat make up the outer covering of its body and is its largest sensory organ. The skin protects the muscles, skeletal system and internal organs and the hair coat covers and protects the skin and helps keep the body warm. The skin on the pads of the dog s feet is much thicker than the skin on the body. The skin can range in colour from pale pink to brown to black, depending on the breed. Spotted skin is normal, whether the dog has a spotted or solid coat. A dog s whiskers are also hairs and are found on the face as well as different places on the body. They are very sensitive to touch and help the dog sense movement. Dogs should be checked regularly for fleas, lice, ticks and other parasites by brushing the hair backward in different places. Senses A dog s field of vision can vary, depending on the breed. A dog that has eyes that are more forward facing has a narrower field of vision than a dog whose eyes are set to the side. Some people believe that dogs are not actually colour blind, with some evidence showing that they can see reds, greens and yellows. Dogs range of hearing is much broader than the range of human hearing, and they are very sensitive to sound. The ears also work with the brain to help with balance. When listening, the dog will move its head this way and that, turning its ears in the direction of the sound. 2
A dog s sense of smell is also very sensitive and broader than the human sense of smell. Dogs use scents to mark territory and to recognize and communicate with other dogs. The sense of taste is not very highly developed, but dogs can detect tastes that are sour, bitter, salty and sweet. Skeleton & Muscles The skeletal system and musculature of the dog gives it unique abilities. The dog s skeletal system provides the framework for its muscular system and allows for important movements. The skeleton supports the spine and legs, protects internal organs, produces blood cells and stores important minerals. Tails are important for balance as well as communication. Digestion Dogs are omnivores, which mean they can eat either animals or plants. They have sharp canines that are meant for grabbing prey, but chew with their flatter back teeth. A dog is a non-ruminant. Non-ruminants (humans, cats and dogs) digest carbohydrates, protein and fat by enzymatic action. Ruminants (cattle, sheep and deer) use bacteria in the fore stomachs to digest fibre by fermentation and use enzymatic digestion in the small intestines. WHAT BEHAVIOUR TELLS US ABOUT NORMAL OR ABNORMAL HEALTH With good care and monitoring, most dogs stay healthy and require minimal health care. However, a dog s behaviour can provide indicators that something may be wrong. Changes in a dog s normal routine can signal illness or disorders. Dogs should be regularly observed and monitored if they: Are sneezing frequently or have any nasal or eye discharge Show signs that they are having difficulty walking or moving Are sleeping more or are less active than usual Have a dramatic increase in appetite for more than 24 hours Are thirsty Lose weight Whine for no apparent reason Are coughing or sneezing Are shivering Have difficulty breathing or pant for a long period of time Have difficulty eliminating waste through constipation or have diarrhea Have a thick discharge from eyes, ears or nose Scratch at eyes or ears persistently. 3
WHAT EVERY DOG NEEDS: AN OWNER WHO KNOWS HOW TO SCORE BODY CONDITION A body scoring system for dogs assigns a numerical value from 1 to 5, based on the amount of fat and the body condition, by assessing the ribs, the dog s profile and an overhead check or view. Body condition scoring is done by assessing fat both visually and by palpation, or feeling for fat in different body areas. This body condition scoring system is a helpful management tool that can be used across breeds and by all animal owners or producers. Although weighing a dog is also a good idea, body condition scoring can help identify problems before the scales show that a change has occurred. Body condition scoring is a method of evaluating the percentage of fat on a dog s body. In an ideal body condition, a dog s ribs can be felt without excess fat covering; the waist should be easily visible when viewed from above (giving an hour-glass shape) and the abdomen should be tucked up towards the pelvis when viewed from the side. Other sources for body scoring are provided on the Virtual Apprentice 2020 website. Find out more by going to these sources. How much definition is seen in the face? Are the ribs or spine difficult or easy to feel? Is the waist difficult or easy to see and feel? Is the base of the tail solid, but not too bony or too thick? Is the abdomen tucked? Or does it sag or look gaunt? 4
Score Description 1 EMACIATED Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and all body prominences evident from a distance. No discernible body fat. Obvious absence of muscle mass. 2 THIN Ribs easily palpated and may be visible with no palpable fat. Tops of lumbar vertebrae visible. Pelvic bones less prominent. Obvious waist and abdominal tuck. 3 MODERATE Ribs palpable without excess fat covering. Abdomen tucked up when viewed from side. 4 STOUT General fleshy appearance. Ribs palpable with difficulty. Noticeable fat deposits over lumbar spine and tail base. Abdominal tuck may be absent. 5 OBESE Large fat deposits over chest, spine and tail base. Waist and abdominal tuck absent. Fat deposits on neck and limbs. Abdomen distended. What does the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association s Code of Practice for Kennels say about body condition scoring for dogs? The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association s Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations does not include body condition scoring. However, it does state that body condition should be monitored. Body condition is important when breeding dogs and assessing for disease or illness. 5
WHAT EVERY DOG NEEDS: AN OWNER WHO KNOWS HOW TO MONITOR VITAL SIGNS All dog owners or breeders need to know what is normal for their dogs. A dog s vital signs include its temperature, pulse and respiration. The normal parameters of the dog s vital signs can be an essential benchmark in monitoring its health. Temperature A dog s temperature can be taken by gently inserting a thermometer into the rectum. A small amount of mineral oil, petroleum jelly or other nontoxic lubricant placed on the end of the thermometer will make the process easier. The thermometer should be held while taking the temperature to prevent it from breaking. If you are using a glass thermometer it should remain in the animal for at least 60 to 90 seconds to ensure an accurate result. Digital thermometers signal when the temperature has stabilized. Pulse The pulse rate, or heart rate, of dogs varies, depending on its size. A normal heat rate is between 50 and 130 beats per minute in a resting dog. Smaller dogs, as well as puppies, will have a faster heart rate, while large dogs have slower heart rates. The heart rate can be taken by locating the dog s pulse on the femoral artery at the inner thigh of a hind leg. Respiration The normal respiration rate for dogs is 10 to 34 respirations per minute, depending on its size. An abnormally high rate is an indication of distress or stress. Respiratory rates should be measured when a dog is resting. A dog that is in distress, pain or simply excited will usually have a higher respiratory rate. The normal body temperature of a dog is between 38.3 C to 39.2 C. A high body temperature can indicate that the dog may be sick and require a veterinarian. The dog s condition should not be assessed only on the basis of whether its nose is cool or warm. Warms ears can signal a fever but should also not be used as the only indicator of illness. 6
WHAT DOGS NEED: DENTAL CHECK-UPS Just like humans, dogs have two sets of teeth. Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that start to erupt at about 3 to 4 weeks of age. When the puppy is about 4 months old, they start to lose their temporary teeth as the permanent teeth emerge. Bad breath, swollen gums or discoloured teeth in a dog is usually a sign of tooth or gum problems and ranks as one of the top reasons people seek veterinary care for their dogs. Like humans, dogs need to have their teeth inspected by a veterinarian twice yearly and brushed daily if they are to maintain good oral hygiene. Daily brushing is a routine that can be started early by slowly teaching the dog to get used to having fingers put into his or her mouth. Human toothpaste is not good for dogs. Dogs should have their teeth brushed daily and inspected by a veterinarian twice yearly. WHAT EVERY DOG NEEDS: AN OWNER WHO REGULARLY GROOMS IT Regular grooming is important to a dog s well being. Grooming sessions also allow you to examine the dog s coat, teeth, eyes, ears and nails for signs of problems. A grooming schedule depends on the size, breed and type of coat of the dog. Brushing is also important. Depending on the breed and coat, several brushing sessions a week will keep the average dog neat and clean; daily attention is necessary for some breeds. The American Kennel Club provides the following information about brushing and grooming a dog. Brush all the way down to the skin, letting the massaging action stimulate blood circulation and loosen and remove flakes of dandruff. The kind of equipment you need depends on the dog s coat texture and length. Longhaired dogs need pin brushes, which have long, round-ended stainless-steel or chrome-plated pins. Short-, medium- and some long-coated breeds need bristle brushes. There are also slicker brushes for removing mats and dead hair; rubber curry combs to polish smooth coats and remove dead hair; clippers, stripping knives, rakes, hair dryers and other grooming tools. When brushing, always check for burrs and other stubborn plant material; mats, which most frequently form behind the ears and under the legs; and any cuts or scrapes on the skin itself. All dogs shed, though some definitely shed more than others. Regular brushing helps keep shedding under control. 7
Dog should also be bathed on a regular basis. However, too frequent baths can also have a negative effect, causing the skin to become dry and natural oils to be stripped from the coat. Shampoo that is specially made for dogs or puppies should be used to bathe a dog. Its ears and eyes should also be protected. Cotton balls can be put into the ears and a couple drops of mineral oil applied to the eyes. Eyes and ears also require regular attention. A dog s ears should be cleaned once a month. Only the outer part of the ear should be cleaned, using a damp cloth or cotton swab soaked in mineral oil. Eye discharges should be gently cleaned with a moist cotton ball. The American Kennel Club also identifies the need to check the dog s anal sacs regularly. Anal sacs are located on each side of the dog s anus; they are glands that exude scent when your dog has a bowel movement. The anal sacs can become infected and should be monitored. If the dog scoots on his rear, licks or scratches his anus, he may have impacted anal sacs. A veterinarian should be consulted about how to treat an anal sac Dogs require regular grooming, brushing and bathing routines. problem. WHAT DOGS NEED: REGULAR CARE OF NAILS The American Kennel Club provides information on the care of nails. A dog s nails must be kept short for the feet to remain healthy. Long nails interfere with the dog s gait, making walking awkward or painful. They can also break easily. This usually happens at the base of the nail, where blood vessels and nerves are located, and can require a trip to the veterinarian. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, they re too long. Many dogs dislike having their nails trimmed. Dogs can be trained to get used to having their feet handled by starting from puppyhood. Start trimming gently, a nail or two at a time. To trim a dog s nails, use a specially designed clipper. Most have safety guards to prevent you from cutting the nails too short. Only the ends, before the quick which is a blood vessel inside the nail, should be trimmed. You can see where the quick ends on a white nail, but not on a dark nail. Clip only the hook-like part of the nail that turns down. If you accidentally cut the quick, stop the bleeding with some styptic powder. Information used with permission from Grooming: American Kennel Club. www.akc.org/public_education/grooming.cfm 8
What does the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association s Code of Practice for Kennels say about care of body systems for dogs? The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association s Code of Practice for Kennel Operations makes general statements on the necessity of regular grooming and dental care. Regular grooming, appropriate to the breed, must be carried out. The choice of foods and availability of chewing material can affect the health and cleanliness of a dog s teeth. For example, dry food is better for dogs teeth than soft food. The Code of Practice also takes a position on cosmetic surgery for dogs. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) opposes surgical alteration of any animal, for purely cosmetic purposes. The CVMA believes that cosmetic surgery is unnecessary. Surgical alterations in cases of injury or for reasons of health are not considered cosmetic. Examples of cosmetic procedures include: Tail docking in the equine, bovine or canine species; Tail nicking/setting in the equine species Ear cropping in canine species; and onychectomy (declawing) in species other than the domestic cat. The CVMA recommends that breed associations change their breed standards so that cosmetic procedures are not required. Excerpts from the Code of Practice for Kennel Operations (2nd Edition, 2007) have been used with permission, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. www.canadianveterinarians.net/publicationsresources-order.aspx 9