One of these circumstances is picking up dog poop. Sometimes a hassle and always a little gross, every pup poops. But, as an owner, you can use this opportunity to assure your pup is in tip-top shape! One of the best ways to understand and learn more about your dog’s health is actually by noticing abnormalities in their number two.
Using the same benchmarks veterinarians use, households can get a grip on their four-legged friend’s health at home and bring their vet a more educated diagnosis.
However, vets are the only ones who can do a full examination of why there is something off with your pup. When you bring your dog in, they may ask for a sample of the stool. To bring in a sample simply:
- Wear protective, disposable gloves.
- Take pictures of poop as it is on the ground.
- Put the poop into a plastic bag meant to carry dog poop.
- If the poop is watery, gather as much as possible and ensure photos have been taken.
- Tie the bag off.
- Put the bag into an airtight shallow container (Tupperware works).
- Refrigerate if not heading directly to the vet.
In order to understand how dog poop indicates a pup’s current wellbeing, it’s essential to know the “4 C’s of Dog Poop.” These are the same metrics veterinarians look at when assessing a stool sample. They are as follows:
- Color
- Consistency
- Content
- Coating
First, different colors can indicate different ailments. Black stool can mean your dog is having digestive issues. White spots can mean your pup has worms.
Then, consistency is a major indicator of diet. Less-firm stool can mean your dog is sick, while hard stool means they need water.
Third, your pup’s poop content is an obvious way to tell what their health is doing. If you find some fur or traces of food in your dog’s stool things are likely normal — anything more could indicate a health problem.
Lastly, a dog’s poop coating is the fourth “C” you should review. A sticky film means your dog isn’t digesting properly. The easiest way to tell if there is some sort of coating on a stool is to look at the grass after you pick it up. Excessive reminisce indicates a coating is present.
If any of these “C’s” cause alarm, call your vet. For a more detailed look at how your pup’s poop can be a key indicator of your dog’s health, review this information by Gallant to become a more responsible dog owner.
No comments:
Post a Comment