How to measure the temperature of a dog: 5 ways

The content of the article

1 Causes of Fever in Dogs
2 How to measure a dog’s temperature
3 Video: how to measure the temperature of an animal

Each caring owner strives to ensure that his ward is always cheerful and cheerful. There are frequent cases when the temperature rises in dogs, but there is no rectal thermometer at hand. Timely designated ailment will save the pet from the deterioration of the body. Experienced veterinarians and dog handlers developed a specific scheme that allows you to quickly detect fever and malaise. Consider the important aspects in order.

Causes of fever in dogs

accumulation of toxins and poisons in the body;
bacterial infection;
lack of vitamins and minerals;
malignant tumors on internal organs;
brain damage;
high physical activity;
dehydration.

Important!
Pay attention to the listed symptoms. If the fever lasts longer than a day, immediately contact your veterinarian. It is important to eliminate the cause in time with antipyretic drugs.

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How to measure a dog’s temperature

Method number 1. Touch the nose of the pet

To find out if an infection is present in the pet's body or not, a visual examination of the discharge from the nose will help you. Neoplasms of green or yellow in combination with a high temperature indicator indicate the presence of a virus. As a rule, this fact means that the dog has a respiratory infection, but this can only be determined in emergency cases. These clinical signs are observed with the development of cough of Psorin (adenovirus) and plague. As a result of this, it is important to deliver the pet to the veterinarian on time in order to prevent negative consequences.

Humidity of the nose and body temperature of the dog varies within acceptable limits. The pet’s nose becomes dry immediately after waking up from sleep, with prolonged exposure to the sun and excessive physical activity when the body is dehydrated. Pay attention to these factors, if they are absent - the pet is sick. In all other cases, exclude the cause of dry nose.

Method number 2. Pay attention to the gums of the animal
A feature of increasing temperature in dogs is a change in the gums. If they are dry and warm, most likely the pet has caught the virus. A healthy dog has an oral cavity of the same color without any foreign inclusions. The normal color of the gums is faded pink, as in humans. Regarding the structure, they should be shiny and moist. To correctly determine the condition of the dog at the moment, lift the upper lip of the animal, put your finger under it, then feel the area in the fangs area.

If humidity and temperature are similar to human, the pet is healthy. In all other cases, it is recommended to take measures that will help bring down the temperature. Without fail, after feeling this area, pay attention to its color. Brown maroon gums are a consequence of high temperature, in particular, sepsis.

Method number 3. Watch your pet's behavior
In addition to the above measures, it is necessary to monitor the general condition of the pet. If the temperature is too high, touch the dog’s body, the heat will spread to all areas. You will fully feel the warmth if you put the pet next to you (without touching it at all). In such a situation, consult a doctor immediately.

Pay attention to other important aspects. If the dog suffers from shortness of breath, turn the cheek to its mouth to feel a hot breath. If the pet of the family has a high temperature, he will drink 2–2.5 times more, because the body will need water. As in humans, a dog in a febrile state has difficulty with physical activity.This is because the animal has joint pain.

Method number 4. Touch the feet and ears of the pet
An important criterion for the disease in dogs is considered to be an increase in the optimal temperature in the area of the ears and paws. Touch these parts with your cheek, the back of your hand or the wrist area (any sensitive area that allows you to identify the ailment). If the temperature of the skin of the pet is significantly different from yours, the animal does not greet.

Such a move allows you to quickly find out the state of the animal’s health for the reason that a large number of blood vessels are located in these areas. When an infection occurs, the virus also enters this area, so the immune system begins to fight. This results in accelerated blood circulation and, as a result, increased heat generation.

It is important to understand that the temperature on both ears is measured in this way. When the skin on one of them is different from the other, it rather means that the pet has inflammation of the ear canal, and not an increase in the temperature of the whole body.

Method number 5. Assess armpit and groin temperature

If a pet has a bacterial infection, it is mandatory to touch the groin and axillary cavities. With the back of your hand or any sensitive part of the body, touch the lymph nodes under the paws and on the inguinal region. Too high temperature and swelling in these areas is due to the occurrence of the virus. Make sure your hands are at a normal temperature. They should not be too hot or, conversely, cold.

The main function of the lymph nodes is the purification of blood from bacteria, the removal of the virus from the body and the obstacle to its further spread. For all this, after removal of the infection, the lymph nodes are filled with new immune cells, the body begins to rebuild. They become inflamed, the temperature in this area rises as a result of the fight against viruses.

A pet with a high temperature behaves sluggishly, can limp or move awkwardly. Often in dogs in a similar condition, irritability, vomiting, increased greasy hair are observed. Try all the methods, and then take appropriate measures.

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