Healthy dogs have a temperature of 101-102, a respiratory rate of 15-20 breaths per minute, and a heart rate of 80-120 per minute.
They have pink mucus membranes (gums, inside of lips, tongue, inside of eyelid) and rapid capillary refill action in these areas.
Clean smelling ears, skin and a full haircoat, skin that is pliant (an indication of proper hydration), and eyes that are clear and bright are all signs of a healthy dog.

If your dog shows any of the following signs, be ready to call your veterinarian.

Eyes; swelling, discharge, redness

Nose; running, crusting, discharge

Ears; discharge, debris, odor, twitching, scratching, shaking, difficulty hearing

Coughing, gagging, sneezing, retching, or vomiting

Irregular breathing, shortness of breath, prolonged or heavy panting

Intestinal activity; color and consistency of bowel movement, frequency of defecation, bloody stool, evidence of parasites

Any Change in; amount of food/water intake, body weight, bowel movements, amount of urination, appetite, behavior

Urine; color, frequency, amount, straining, dribbling

Odor; mouth, skin, ears

Coat and skin; wounds, tumors, hair loss, dander, color change, discharge, biting, scratching, bite marks, evidence of parasites, licking, scooting, lumps or bumps

Behavior; depression, anxiety, weakness, fatigue, lethargy, sleepiness, trembling, stumbling, falling, aggression

Tremors or seizures

Signs of pain;  lameness in limbs, stiffness when getting up, hiding in unusual areas, uncontrollable shaking, excessive panting, listlessness, crying or whimpering, food falling out of mouth, excessive drooling, sensitivity when chewing.

The first step is noticing the signs....
keeping a record helps the veterinarian make a diagnosis...
make notes on when the symptoms first appeared, whether it has been intermittent, continuous, increasing in frequency, getting better or worse.

During an exam, be sure to tell your veterinarian if you give your pet any over-the-counter or herbal remedies, and if your pet frequents a boarding kennel, grooming salon, daycare, or regular socialization with other pets (ie;dog parks/beach). 

The communication between you and your veterinarian is very important..... what you may think is unimportant may be very significant in helping to find a diagnosis.

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) has a top 10 list of things you should talk about with your veterinarian during a visit.

10.  Ask about parasite prevention and control for heartworms, fleas, ticks and intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms that's appropriate for your region of the country.

9.  Ask about proper behavior training and socialization.  Many shelters report that improper training and socialization -and the behavioral issues that can come with them- are some of the most common reasons people give up their pets.  Your veterinarian can assist in evaluating your animal's disposition and provide advice and tips on how to appropriately train and socialize your pet.

8.  Ask about emergency care.  When your pet has acute health issues in the middle of the night, you'll need to know where to call or go.  Ask where you should go when things go wrong, and make sure you figure out how to get there before an emergency -you certainly don't want to be driving around asking for directions in an emergency situation.

7.  Ask about nutrition.  What type of food should you feed your pet?  What serving size is appropriate?  And does their age impact what you should be feeding them?

6.  Ask if your pet is overweight and, if it is, how you can get your pet back to a healthy weight.  As in humans, weight control for pets is essential for good health.

5.  Ask about vaccinations.  Vaccinations are essential to your pet's health and should be tailored to your pet's lifestyle.  A pampered high-rise dweller that never sets foot outside won't need the same vaccines as a mud hound forever exploring outdoors.

4.  If you have a pet older than 7 years of age, ask about senior care.  Older pets are more prone to conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid conditions and other problems.  Prevention and early detection of problems are key to helping your pet live a longer, healthier life.

3.  Ask about any lumps and bumps your pet has developed.  Although many of the lumps and bumps are not problems, some of them are cause for concern.  It's best to have all of them checked out, just to make sure.

2.  Ask about any changes you've noticed in your pet's diet, energy level, water intake, output and behavior.  Any of these might be important health clues.

1.  Ask about the results of your veterinarian's physical examination of your pet, including an oral health evaluation.  Dental disease is one of the most common health problems that pets experience and it can lead to serious problems.

This information and much more can be found at;  www.avma.org and ww.avma.org/myveterinarian