Many pet owners believe that routine health care is best left to professionals. Dr. Frank Caporale, a veterinarian at the Flagler Humane Society, says that everyone can do simple at-home examinations for their dogs before the issue worsens. “These are the same basic procedures we do in the office,” he explained. “And we like it, really. As my own medical doctor said, you want prevention, not treatment. If we can prevent these issues, it will make it easy for everybody to live a long life. We go nice and simple.”

The examination starts with the face. A dog should have bright, clear eyes and an alert expression. Early indicators of pain may be subtle changes in behavior. After that, he advises owners to massage the jawline from nose to eyes carefully. Dental pain may manifest as a wince or retraction, and other signs include drooling or trouble chewing. “Trying to open a pet’s mouth isn’t always easy,” he said, “but palpating the jaw tells you if something’s wrong.” Ear discomfort or odor may signal an infection. Even a quick sniff of the ears or breath can warn owners to underlying conditions.

The exam continues with a physical check. Carefully running your hands along a pet’s body can help detect new lumps, insect bites, or skin irritations. These issues are often not easy to notice unless you take a closer look. In Florida, where pets are exposed to sand, grass, and heat, paws require extra attention. Checking between the toes for thorns or infections and regularly cleaning their paws is a simple way to catch problems before they escalate, according to Caporale.

The message serves as a preventive measure. Early recognition enables veterinarians to intervene before typical issues escalate into emergencies. “We want to catch things before they turn into problems,” he said. 

For more tips on at-home health checks and the signs that may indicate health problems, tune in to the latest episode of Speaking of Animals.