Let Your Fingers do the Walking from Tip to Tail

For this part of the exam, with one hand, hold your pet’s neck ever so gently to give you control of sudden movements if it tries to jump off the stool or counter or run from you if it’s on the floor. With your free hand, use your index and middle finger to feel the spine from neck to tail base. If your pet yowls or tries to escape when you touch a certain spot, touch it again a few minutes later to see if you get the same reaction. If so, check this out with your pet’s doctor.

Gently grasp the tail with your thumb and middle finger, feeling the vertebrae for any tender spots, lumps, or scabs. Slowly and gently lift the tail upright so you can get a good look at the rear. Look for signs of a discharge, sores, scabs, or something that looks like blackheads, called waxy plugs, which are common and not usually a big deal, but should be discussed at your next vet visit. Also check for matted hair around the anus. Matted hair in this area makes having a bowel movement difficult and sometimes painful. This frequently occurs with long-haired dogs and cats. Wet the area with warm water or soak your pet’s bottom in warm water until the matted hair is thoroughly moistened and work it with your fingers to break down hard clumps of hair. Don’t cut the hair yourself; have your vet or groomer shave the area.

The Full Monty

Stand your pet in an upright position to check out the stomach and chest. Look and feel for sores, lumps, and bumps. Check the nipples for swelling and discharge. This is especially important for female cats and dogs to detect breast cancer early on. While your pet is still in this position, run your fingers through the hair so you can really see the skin to check for any sores or eruptions.

Next, place Fido or Fluffy on all fours. Clasp your fingers around the waist as closely together as possible without hurting it. Using your fingers on the left hand and your thumb on the right hand, slowly and gently knead the abdomen to feel for enlargement of any organs and again for lumps and bumps. After a few times, you’ll get the hang of it or ask your vet or the technician to show you.

Paws Up

Gently push on each pad. Many pets do not like having their paws touched, so be careful. Look for sores. The toenails should be short. If kitty isn’t using a scratching post or the nails of cats and dogs aren’t cut regularly, they can become twisted and grow into the pads and can cause an infection. This is very painful, especially for older pets.

Heart and Respiration

It’s important to check your pet’s heart rate and respiration. (The information given here is general and applies to cats and small dogs; however, the best way to determine what’s normal for your medium to large dog is to ask your vet.)

Wait an hour or so for your pet to settle down after the exam before checking its heart. Cup your hand over the chest. Using a clock or watch, count the number of beats for thirty seconds. You should feel between 50 and 75 beats. Multiply this number by two because a normal heart rate is 100 to 150 beats per minute for cats and dogs, although large dogs have fewer beats per minute. The rate of respiration, the number of times your pet inhales per minute, is best checked while your pet is sleeping. Watch and count the chest rises. Normally this should be about 23 to 27 times a minute for both cats and dogs. If you find the respiration and/or the heart beats are faster or slower, repeat this procedure again the following day. If the rates still aren’t normal, make an appointment with your vet.

Temperature

Taking the temperature is best done with another person holding Fluffy or Fido. Use a well lubricated digital rectal thermometer inserted parallel to the spine. The normal range is between 100 and 102 degrees F.

Finishing Up

It’s also important to watch your pet for behavior changes such as drinking more water, urinating more frequently, lethargy, constipation, diarrhea, weight loss or gain, stool changes, or loss of appetite. Many cats hide when they are ill, but dogs rarely do.

It may be easier to perform the exam on the first day of each month, so as not to forget, however, it is most important to remember that a do-it-yourself exam does not take the place of a yearly vet exam. A yearly visit to the vet still is essential for the animal’s health — and the best way to truly love your pet.

Dr. Gerald Brown is Chief of Staff at the City Cat Doctor Feline Medical Center, 600 N. Wells Street, Chicago.