This information sheet is designed to help non-veterinary shelter staff evaluate the health of cats and dogs. Its not a comprehensive guide and will not give you all the answers, but it lists the more common signs of health and illness in dogs and cats. Also, its not meant to replace veterinary care or advice, but only to help you decide if a cat or dog may need veterinary assistance.
The best way to evaluate the general health of a cat or dog is to give the animal a thorough nose-to-tail examination. Ask a friendly veterinarian or vet tech from your community to come to your shelter and train you and other staff. Then establish your own routine, and thoroughly and methodically examine each animal using the same series of steps each time. That way, you wont overlook some of the more subtle yet often serious health conditions often missed with a quick once-over. Dogs and especially cats can hide illnesses or other ailments, so try not to let them fool you!
Use the checklist at left when evaluating animals after they first come in to the shelter. And don't forget to observe animals for signs of health problems during their entire stay such as when you're cleaning or just giving the animals a little TLC. To make sure staff observations are recorded systematically, your shelter may wish to develop a health report card that accompanies the animal during his or her stay at the facility.
EYES
GOOD SIGNS
- clean
- clear and bright
- responsive to visual stimuli
WARNING SIGNS
- watery
- red
- filmy
- cloudy
- discolored
- dry
- inflamed (swollen)
- hypersensitive to light
- pupils are unequal in size
- pupils are overly dilated or overly constricted
- showing third (or middle) eyelid
- showing discharge
- itchy (animal rubs at eyes)
- painful (animal squints)
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EARS
GOOD SIGNS
- clean (both outer ear and canal)
- pink and clean (inner ear)
- responsive to noise
WARNING SIGNS
- showing discharge (waxy or other)
- crusty red or inflamed (canal is swollen/thickened)
- hair around ear is matted
- scabbed
- fly-bitten
- itchy (animal scratches ear or shakes head)
- foul odor
- painful (animal cries when ear is touched)
NOSE
GOOD SIGNS
WARNING SIGNS
- scabbed
- showing discharge (clear, mucous, blood, or pus)
- crusty
- cracked
- congested or blocked
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MOUTH
GOOD SIGNS
- free of odor
- teeth are clean
- gums are pink
- gums have good
- capillary refill time (pink gum color returns within 1-2 seconds after being pressed with finger)
- animal appears to swallow normally
WARNING SIGNS
- unusually red or pale dry
- salivating (animal is drooling)
- foul odor not caused by food
- foreign bodies
- showing discharge
- swollen or inflamed
- gums are pale, white, purple, or inflamed
- teeth are loose, pitted, broken, or tartar-covered
- animal has trouble swallowing
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BREATHING/ RESPIRATION
GOOD SIGNS
- respiration is regular
- respiration sounds clear
- respiration rate is normal
WARNING SIGNS
- breathing is irregular, rapid, shallow, or labored
- animal is sneezing, coughing, wheezing
- moist lung sounds
- breathing is through open mouth
SKIN/HAIR
GOOD SIGNS
- coat is bright, and glossy
- coat appears well-groomed
- skin is clean, free of oil
- skin is free of swelling, lumps, and lesions
WARNING SIGNS
- coat is dull
- coat is oily, dirty
- coat shows areas of
- hair loss or thinning
- hair is matted
- skin is dry or flaky
- skin shows swelling, lumps, or lesions
- skin is scabbed
- skin is red, irritated
- animal has fleas, ticks, lice, or other
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LEGS/FEET
GOOD SIGNS
- legs support weight evenly (no limp)
- pads are clean and smooth
- nails are healthy-looking
WARNING SIGNS
- animal favors one leg (limps)
- animal has limited motion
- animal is weak or uncoordinated
- joint feels tender
- pads are cracked or hard
- pads have matted hair between them
- nails are long, short, or ingrown
- legs show swelling, lumps, or lesions
ANAL/GENITAL
GOOD SIGNS
- area is clean and free of discharge
- stool is normal
WARNING SIGNS
- area has discharge
- stool is watery or bloody
- animal is constipated
- area around anus shows swelling or lumps
- one or both testicles are not descended (not in scrotum)
- one testicle is harder and/or larger than other
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GENERAL APPEARANCE
GOOD SIGNS
- animal is bright, alert, and responsive (BAR)
- skin is elastic (springs back immediately after being raised)
- animal is balanced, coordinated
- temperature is normal
- animal is interested in surroundings, oriented
WARNING SIGNS
- animal is very thin or obese
- animal has wounds or abscesses
- animal has swelling, lumps, or bumps
- animal appears to have umbilical hernia
- mammary glands are swollen or oozing discharge
- skin does not spring back (animal is dehydrated)
- animal appears uncoordinated
- animal tilts head
- animal repeatedly circles
- abdomen is bloated
- temperature is abnormal
- animal appears lethargic
- animal appears hyperactive
- animal appears disoriented
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