Do you even know how to take a dog’s temperature and what is its natural temperature? It would be better to be prepared before you need it, so you can’t be surprised.
Your dog doesn’t seem very well today. Does it have a higher temperature? You are looking at it with a thermometer in your hand and thinking where you should put it. Or you may be a step ahead and speculate over the result and what temperature is even normal. To prevent such situation from happening, read the following lines and learn about the method of taking dog’s temperature, the normal value and when it is even necessary to take it.
We already know a warm muzzle is not an indicator of high temperature. Its temperature and dampness rather reflect the situation in the dog’s environment. However, if your dog seems sick, apathetic, doesn’t want to eat, vomits or has diarrhoea, it’s time for a thermometer. Another reason might be a suspicion of hyperthermia or too low temperature (hypothermia, the greatest risk is for puppies).
The normal temperature of a healthy dog is higher than the normal human temperature. So, don’t panic if it has higher values than you are used to. The temperature is okay between 37.5 and 39 ºC and it is taken in the rectum. A perfect tool is a digital thermometer with a flexible tip (e.g. a rectal thermometer for children).
For an easier introduction of the thermometer and the prevention of an undesired dog injury, you can oil the tip of the device or use any other lubricant such as vaseline or lard. It should be introduced to the depth of approximately 2 cm depending on the size of the dog. If you can ask someone for help, do it. Dogs tend to sit down with the introduced thermometer.
If the value on the display is higher than 39 ºC, visit a vet. A long-term high temperature is dangerous for dogs. Definitely don’t give your dog ibuprofen, paracetamol or any other human medication to lower the temperature!
Have you ever taken a dog’s temperature or did you take the patient straight to a vet and counted on him/her? I believe it might be particularly difficult with some non-cooperating dogs.
Kitten Lady describes her activities as kittens’ advocacy and humane education. This all is done by young beautiful Hannah Shaw. She’s a kitten rescuer, spreads the principles of humanity and is an unwavering advocate of animal rights. She decided to...
Several kinds of hedgehog are kept as pets. The most common one is the four-toed hedgehog or an African pygmy hedgehog in other words. This pet which is not very common but is becoming more and more popular can live up to 9 years in captivity and...
More than one artist fell in love with these creatures and looked for inspiration for work in them. One of them was Ernest Hemingway. He is the author of the well-known saying “One cat just leads to another”. He really kept a large number of cats (in...
We have an active and healthy lifestyle. Or at least we try to have. In relation to that, we don’t only think about our own food but also about our dogs’ food. The trend of barfing has already come to the Czech Republic, too. It is a method of feeding...
If you go camping for the first time, it is good to prepare for all various reactions of your furry friend. Do you travel with it by car and by public transport with no problems? Is your dog okay when not sleeping at home, e.g. in a mountain cabin? It...
As the name of this breed suggests, you can’t expect much hair on an American hairless terrier. This small or medium size muscled dog has hair only on its muzzle and eyebrows. But the interesting thing is that puppies are born with an undercoat which...
Let us get this straight, what is monoprotein food? It is wet food (i.e. cans and pouches) which contains only one type of meat, muscles and bowels. And why is it better than common wet food?
A meat bomb in a form of a dog paté or can doesn’t have to be only a reward. If you are planning to go on a long hike – to the mountains or to the valley – you can make the use of a dog meat can. Dogs in move, usually when doing any sport outside, need...
The cause of diabetes is a lack of insulin (a pancreas hormone) or the inability of the body to use it effectively (i.e. the resistance of tissues towards insulin). And it doesn’t matter if you’re a person or an animal. With diabetes, the sugar is...
Runner Dion Leonard could talk for hours about the bond which is created between a man and a dog and also about how an unknown Asian crossbreed dog becomes one of the most famous dogs on planet Earth. He bumped into a dog companion at the ultra-trial...
Even when you cannot or don’t want to take your dog on your holiday with you, you still have many options what to do with it. You can take him to your relatives, accommodate it in a dog hotel, use dog-sitting and other things. It’s not that easy with...
Cats can also be heroes and put their lives at risk to save someone from risky or life-threatening situations. The first cat hero I will introduce you to is Scarlett. She showed her heroism in the most natural form – she saved her kittens. She took...
