Performing a Wellness Check

Opertating Procedure

 

5-Point Wellness Check:

 

A wellness check will be performed with every walk and rotation. 

 

The 5 Points of a Wellness Check: 

 

  1. Eyes
    1. Observe the guest’s eyes. They should be clear and bright, full of life. Eyes that appear dull and lifeless could be a sign of “trouble brewing.” Dull eyes could also be a sign of anxiety and stress.
    2. Check to see if there is any discharge, swelling, opacities or ulcerations (sores).
    3. Pay particular attention to pugs, Pekingese, Lhasas and Persian breeds that have protruding eyes and are prone to eye difficulties.
  2. Teeth
    1. Place hand on top of the bridge of the guest’s nose and the other under the mandible (underside of snout).
    2. Gently part the lips with your fingers to expose the teeth and gums.
    3. Look for any broken, missing or stained teeth, any gum conditions, excessive tarter and noticeably unpleasant odors.
  3. Ears
    1. Stand beside the guest, taking one hand to lift the flap of the ear.
    2. Observe how the dog reacts to having ears touched. Shying away or fear may be a sign of ear pain or chronic problems.
    3. Bend the ear back slightly, and use your other hand to spread apart the cartilage part of the ear.
    4. Check the ear canal for any discharge, inflammation, dirt or excessive amounts of wax or hair growth. A healthy ear will appear light pink and have no odor.
    5. Repeat the above steps on the other side of the guest to check the opposite ear.
  4. Skin and Coat
    1. With your fingers, life the hair against the direction of the coat growth, looking for abrasions, skin irritations, dry skin, growths or other abnormal conditions.
    2. Does the coat appear healthy and shiny, or dull and lifeless?
    3. Look for any urine burns or stains, or fecal matter attached to the coat.
    4. Check for any matted areas, as they often conceal sores or parasites.
    5. Check the coat in all areas, including under the jaw, behind the ears, neck, elbows, chest, stomach, inside rear legs and hocks, and above and below the tail.
  5. Legs, Paws, and Genitals
    1. Male guests - Check the scrotum for any signs of irritation, abnormal growth, swelling or excessive warmth.  Check the penis for any signs of unusual discharge (occasional, slightly greenish discharge is considered normal).
    2. Female guests - Check the vulva for any signs of enlargement or discharge.  Check the mammary glands for any lumps or swelling.  Pay particular attention to signs of estrus (heat) in an unaltered female.
    3. All guests, male and female - Check the anal area for evidence of tapeworm segments, anal gland swelling or other irritations.
  • Additional items to assess:
    • Assess the dog’s demeanor. Do they seem alert and responsive, or listless or lethargic?
    • Check for any signs of bloat (see symptoms below).

 

Bloat is a very serious health risk for dogs. Bloating of a dog’s stomach is usually related to swallowed air (although food and fluid can be present). It usually happens when there is an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid, and/or foam in the stomach. Stress can be a significant contributing factor as well. As the stomach swells, it can rotate, causing the fixed attachments between the esophagus and upper intestine to twist. The twisting stomach traps air, food, and water in the stomach. The bloated stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs. This combined effect can lead to the death of a dog.

 

Most common symptoms of bloat:

  1. Attempts to vomit unsuccessfully, every 5-30 minutes. This is one of the most common signs.
  2. Frequently “asking” to go outside to eliminate, significantly more often than normal
  3. Significant anxiety or restlessness
  4. “Hunched Up” or “Roached Up” appearance
  5. Bloated abdomen that feels tight (like a drum)

IF YOU OBSERVE AND POTENTIAL SIGNS OF BLOAT, IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SHIFT SUPERVISOR, WELLNESS MANAGER, OR LOCATION MANAGER.