Every appointment has its differences but there are a few questions I get asked multiple times a day. All of them are legitimate questions. I am happy my clients are asking me rather than trusting everything their next door neighbor or breeder says. Here are some of the most common questions I get asked in appointments and my answers.
Is my dog overweight?
Well, did your dog just gain 10 pounds over the past year? The answer if probably yes. The answer to this questions involves being able to evaluate the Body Condition Score (BCS) of your dog. BCS rates your dog's body on a scale of 1 through 9 (there is another scale 1-5 but is less commonly used). A BCS of 1 means that your dog is significantly overweight, while a score of 9 means that they are extremely overweight. An ideal BCS is between 4 to 5. The BCS means that your veterinarian has palpated your dog, feeling the fat covering over their ribs and hip bones. They have also observed your dog from overhead to see if they have an hour-glass figure and from the side to see if they have an abdominal tuck present in front of their hindlimbs. See the chart for pictures and description of all of the BCS scores. Also see Top 5 Reasons Why Your Dog is Overweight.
Why does my dog eat grass?
If your dog is eating grass and then vomiting, then they are eating grass because they have an upset stomach and are trying to settle it themselves. This is something that you should bring your dog into a veterinarian to be evaluated. It can be a sign of chronic gastrointestinal disease or an acute gastrointestinal upset.
If your dog eats grass and then does not vomit, then it is very likely that they are eating it because they like the taste of the grass. Not all grass makes dogs vomit and your dog may have found a type of grass that tastes good to them. This is not a medical emergency but something you should still bring up to your veterinarian.
Why does my dog eat their own feces or the feces of a housemate?
I know we all like to think of our pets as humans on four legs, but this is one difference that definitely proves that theory untrue. Many dogs will eat poop because they are hungry and don't mind the taste. Rarely dogs will eat poop because there is something lack in their diet, like a vitamin or mineral. Dogs who go to the bathroom in the house may also eat their poop to try to prevent them from getting scolded by their parents. Again this is usually not a medical problem, but something you should mention to your veterinarian. The easiest solution is to try to clean up the feces as soon as they defecate. See my blog Coprophagia.
If my dogs nose is dry, does it mean they are sick?
A dry nose does not mean that your dog is sick. A wet nose does not mean they are healthy either. A wet nose helps enhance the scents that your dog is smelling. It also helps keep them cool. If your dog is dehydrated their nose may be more dry. A dry nose can also be caused by aging or exposure to the sun. If your dog's nose is very wet with colored discharge or associated with sneezing then you should have them evaluated by a veterinarian. If your dog's nose is chapped or bleeding a veterinarian should evaluate them as there are auto-immune diseases can cause issues with their nose.
Does my dog dream?
Yes, dogs do dream. Studies have shown that the dream pattern of dogs is similar to humans. When a dog is dreaming it can look very intense. You may notice their legs moving or vocalization. What do you think your dog is dreaming about?
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