Knowing your dog well and recognizing any signs that your dog is a little off color will help you to detect, at an early stage that your dog has a sickness. Not only is this better for your dog as it can save prolonged suffering but it can help save you time and because an early detection can more often than not mean a speedier recovery, you will save cash on vet's bills as well.

Signs that your dogs is off color can be a loss of sheen on his coat, dull, lifeless eyes ,a dry mouth or any change in color of his/her gums and tongue.

A dog's normal temperature is about 102 degrees F. If your dog starts to pant for no reason, on it's own it is no cause for alarm but your dog should settle to 15 to 20 breaths per minute. If your dog has breathing that is much labored or a shortness of breath then you should call your vet.

Also call your vet without fail if you notice strange or foul smells from the ears, nose or mouth, runny or encrusted nose or a discharge from the nose; twitching ears: red, swollen eyes or gagging or vomiting.

Become familiar with the normal bowel movements of your dog, so you will be able to detect any abnormalities in the appearance or frequency of his digestive activity. Also, observe your dog for any signs that he is having trouble urinating.

Check your dog's coat frequently for any bumps, scratches, bites, parasites or hair loss. If your dog is not behaving normally for example loss of balance or lethargy then you need to mention this to your vet.

Observing the early signs of sickness go a long way toward helping your veterinarian effectively treat your dog.Keep a note as to whether your dogs symptoms are intermittent or ongoing.This will be helpful to your vet in his diagnosis.

You will need to give your dog some medication,the easiest way to accomplish this is through the dog's mouth, and the sooner you can master this fundamental technique, the better.

Put your dog in a sitting position and, with your left hand over the bridge of the nose with fingers on either side, apply pressure to your dog's cheeks so the insides push against the upper teeth. While you maintain this pressure, use the middle finger of your right hand (the hand that is holding the pill) to gently open your dog's mouth. Your dog will likely not try to close his mouth, because that would cause him to bite down on his own cheeks. When your dogs mouth is open push the pill back into his mouth as far as it will go. Allow his mouth to close, and he will swallow the pill. You can encourage swallowing by lightly tickling his throat after his mouth is closed.

If you have to administer liquid medication, once the dog's mouth is open place the vial or bottle in the pocket of loose skin between the teeth and lips. Pour the medicine slowly and make sure your dog's head isn't up too high. Your veterinarian can help explain this procedure if you have questions. If necessary ask him to demonstrate.

It's best to let your vet administer any medication that isn't given orally.

Article by: Jayne Waldorf