How to take a dog's temperature?

As dog owners, we always pay attention to their health. Just like when we humans feel unwell, our first reaction may be to take the temperature to see if we have a fever. For dogs, accurately measuring the temperature is also an important first step in judging their health. Knowing how to take a dog's temperature not only allows us to have a clear idea in daily health monitoring, but also allows us to capture key information in time when the dog may be sick, so as to protect their health. ​

The normal body temperature range of dogs is generally between 37.5℃ and 38.5℃, which is slightly higher than the normal body temperature of humans. This is an important physiological indicator of their normal body function. When the dog's body temperature exceeds this range, whether it is too high or too low, it may mean that there is something wrong with their body. Therefore, learning to take a dog's temperature is like mastering a key to open the door to understanding the dog's health. ​

Before preparing to take the dog's temperature, we must first prepare the necessary tools. The most commonly used tool is the thermometer. Currently, there are traditional mercury thermometers and more convenient electronic thermometers available on the market. Although mercury thermometers have more accurate readings, you need to be extra careful when using them, because once broken, the mercury inside will harm the dog and the environment. Electronic thermometers are easy to operate, read quickly, and are relatively safe, so they are more popular with pet owners. No matter which thermometer you choose, make sure it is clean and functioning properly before using it. In addition, you also need to prepare some lubricants, such as vaseline or special medical lubricants, which can make the thermometer smoother when inserted into the dog's anus and reduce the dog's discomfort. ​

When everything is ready, you can start taking the dog's temperature. First, keep the dog quiet and relaxed. Dogs are very sensitive animals. They can detect the owner's nervousness, so the owner must first adjust his mentality and use a gentle, soothing tone and gentle movements to relax the dog. You can gently stroke the dog first, be intimate with it for a while, and let it be in a comfortable state. If the dog is timid or resistant to new things, you can let it touch the thermometer appropriately a few days before measuring the temperature, such as putting the thermometer in front of it and letting it sniff and get familiar with it, so that it will not be so resistant when the temperature is actually measured. ​

Next, apply an appropriate amount of lubricant to the front of the thermometer. This step is very important because the anal mucosa of the dog is relatively fragile. If the thermometer is inserted dryly, it will cause pain to the dog and may even damage the mucosa. Apply the lubricant evenly to ensure that the front of the thermometer is covered for about 2-3 cm. Then, gently pick up the dog, let it lie on its side or stand (choose the appropriate posture according to the dog's habits and degree of cooperation), lift the dog's tail with one hand, and slowly and gently insert the thermometer into the dog's anus with the other hand. The insertion depth is about one-third to one-half of the length of the thermometer, which is about 2-3 cm. During the insertion process, always pay attention to the dog's reaction. If the dog shows obvious discomfort or struggles, stop immediately, comfort the dog again, and adjust the strength and angle of insertion.​

After inserting the thermometer, keep it fixed and do not let it shake or slip. If you are using a mercury thermometer, you need to wait 3-5 minutes for the thermometer to fully measure the dog's temperature; if it is an electronic thermometer, it will generally sound a prompt within a few seconds to a minute, indicating that the measurement is complete. While waiting, you can continue to gently stroke the dog to keep it quiet. After the measurement is completed, carefully take out the thermometer and read the value on it. When reading the value of a mercury thermometer, place the thermometer flat in front of your eyes, turn the thermometer horizontally, find the position where the scale intersects the mercury column, and read the corresponding temperature; the electronic thermometer will directly display the number, which is clear at a glance. ​

After reading the temperature value, keep a record. Record the date, time and temperature value of the measurement, so that we can easily observe the changing trend of the dog's temperature. If the dog's body temperature is within the normal range, it is naturally reassuring; but if the body temperature is higher than 38.5℃, the dog may have symptoms of fever. At this time, it is necessary to closely observe whether the dog has other abnormal manifestations, such as listlessness, loss of appetite, coughing, vomiting, etc. If the body temperature is lower than 37.5℃, it should not be taken lightly. Low body temperature may also indicate that there are problems with the dog's body, such as hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism. Whether the body temperature is too high or too low, if it is abnormal, the dog should be taken to the veterinarian in time for professional doctors to diagnose and treat it.

Although taking the dog's temperature may seem like a trivial matter, it contains our deep love and care for the dog. Every gentle operation and every patient comfort are our ways of conveying love to the dog. By accurately measuring the body temperature, we can detect subtle changes in the dog's body in time and build a solid line of defense for their health.