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.
This summer, same as last year, favoured domestic travels thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. And while for holidays abroad pet owners arranged dog sitting, here in Czech they learnt to take them along. This group of dog owners was targeted by...
Crates or transport boxes provide your pet with safety and comfort not only during car journeys. You can see them more and more often in households with dogs. What can be the reasons for buying a crate for a dog living in a flat? What doesn't belong...
Recent estimates indicate that every third dog in the world is homeless. Some estimates go even further and state that it's half of all dogs. It is a relatively high number but the situation varies in different continents. This is one of the reasons...
The world of technology does not forget pets and their care. Now, developers have come up with a new app that will help you recognize your cat’s mood.
Many of us are under the influence of the need to fulfill a dream of getting an unconventional pet, which the minipig certainly is. This trend has been present in the Czech Republic for about ten years. But don’t be fooled by those cute snouts, taking...
Pseudogravidity, also known as false pregnancy. The condition in which the female dog’s body is preparing for giving birth, even though the dog is not pregnant. False pregnancy occurs after heat and can last up to several months. What causes it, how...
Summer is a time of joy. The warm weather encourages trips and having fun in the water. However, summer may not be as great for our dogs as it may seem. We fur may sometimes do more harm than good. How to take care of wet fur and how to prevent any...
Cats scratch, everybody knows that. But have you ever wondered why that is? If you have a feline companion at home, you might have thought it would be a good idea to break her habit of scratching. Especially if your cat has ruined your furniture with...
Some love it, some hardly tolerate it. We are, of course, talking about summer and the hot weather that comes with it. Hot weather can become rather unpleasant for our canine companions. While cats usually tolerate heat without any major problems,...
Pet owners know that summer doesn't only bring warmth, sunshine and late sunsets. It's also the time of ticks, who know how to torment our four-legged friends. Unfortunately, it's very difficult, or even almost impossible, to prevent our pet from...
The summer season calls for hair cuts. And not only yours but also your pets'. But a shorter coat doesn't always mean lower body temperature. On the contrary, sometimes it could be the other way round. How and when to clip our four-legged friends'...
The fact that our mental well-being benefits from the presence of animals - namely dogs - has been mentioned here several times. Canis therapy is a highly effective therapeutic process where, to a certain degree, a dog interacts with a patient or...
