Illness hides in silence. A 10-minute weekly check can catch what you might miss until it's too late.
Annual vet visits aren't enough. You see them every day. Establishing a 'normal' baseline means you'll spot a crisis before it starts.
Lift the lip. Gums should be a healthy pink. If they stay white for more than 2 seconds after a press, their circulation is a priority concern.
Our humid climate breeds ear issues. If you smell a 'yeasty' scent or see dark debris, it's an infection, not just dirt from the garden.
Use your finger pads in circles. You're hunting for lumps. Anything new, even a tiny hard bump, needs a professional opinion immediately.
Check under the jaw and behind the knees. If they feel like firm beans and are perfectly symmetrical, their immune system is sounding an alarm.
Gently press the abdomen. A healthy belly is soft. If they 'splint' or tense up, they are hiding internal pain you can't see.
Pinch the skin between their shoulders. If it doesn't snap back instantly, they are dangerously dehydrated. This is often a sign of kidney issues.
Watch them rest. 15 to 30 breaths per minute is the safety zone. Anything faster means their heart or lungs are working too hard.
Grass seeds burrow deep between toes. Check after every walk in the fields to prevent painful abscesses and surgeries.
Morning stiffness or clicking nails isn't just 'old age.' It's the sound of joints needing help. Catch arthritis before they stop walking.
Regular exams turn you from a witness into an advocate. When you know their 'normal', you give your vet the power to save their life.
See the exact steps, vital sign charts, and the 'When to Call the Vet' guide for Irish pet owners.