Normal temperature in dogs of small and large breeds. How to take a dog's temperature

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Today, many families have pets, and dogs are no exception. Most importantly, do not forget to provide them with proper care and comfortable living conditions.

Many pet owners are interested in how to understand that their pet is sick and needs the help of a qualified doctor. What is the normal temperature for dogs? How to properly measure it to a dog? What if the values obtained are far from optimal? We will try to answer these and many other questions in this article.

How to tell?

What is a normal temperature for a dog? It can vary depending on the breed and range from 37.4 to 39.3 degrees. There are certain patterns that relate to the age of the animal and its size. For adult dogs of large breeds, indicators from 37.4 to 38.3 degrees are considered normal, for medium ones - 37.5-39, for small ones -38.5-39 degrees. For puppies, the temperature will be slightly different. In large breeds, it can range from 38.2 to 39, in medium breeds - from 38.3 to 39.1, in small breeds - from 38.6 to 39.3.

When to pay attention?

Pet temperature should be measured if the following symptoms occur:

• refusing water and food;
• blanching of the tongue and mucous membranes;
• dry and warm nose;
• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• convulsions.

This is important.

Equipment

How to take a dog's temperature? What should be used for this purpose? A mercury or electronic thermometer is usually used. The latter is much easier to use, and the temperature measurement process itself takes less time - about half a minute. The thermometer must be individual. After carrying out all the manipulations, it must be disinfected. Hands should also be thoroughly washed and disinfected.

Sequence of actions

Before measuring the temperature of the dog, you need to perform a few simple operations. First, the thermometer must be disinfected and lubricated with petroleum jelly or baby cream. Then the dog should be laid on its side. You can measure the temperature in a standing position, if the animal calmly responds to manipulations. Lift the tail at the base and insert a thermometer into the rectum. The insertion depth should be no more than 2 cm. After that, wait a certain period of time (if we are talking about an electronic thermometer, until a soundsignal). Then carefully pull out the device. If you did everything right, then your pet will not experience any discomfort.

Recommendations

To facilitate the procedure, you can use a few simple tips:

1. It is better to accustom an animal to temperature measurement at an early age. Then this process will not cause you much trouble.
2. You can train an animal to stand still.
3. During the procedure, the main thing is not to be afraid and behave naturally and calmly.
4. After completing this process, the pet must be rewarded with some goodies.

Causes of fever

The temperature of a he althy dog can rise with physical exertion, fear, emotional shock. Also, fever occurs as a result of a reaction to vaccination, with various diseases and inflammatory processes in the body. In females, one day before giving birth, a decrease in this indicator by 1-2 degrees can be observed.

What should I do if my dog has a fever? This can happen not only as a result of physical and psychological factors. A temperature in an animal can be a sign of a serious illness. Fever is observed with such terrible infections as piroplasmosis, diarrhea, distemper. In addition, rat poisoning can also cause similar symptoms. If you have excluded the influence of external factors, then you should immediately contact your veterinarian. The specialist will be able to conduct an initial examination, diagnose a particular disease in a dog and prescribe treatment. If the temperature rises above 40 degrees, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. If the causes of fever are associated with natural physiological processes, such as teething, then you can give the animal one crushed tablet of Analgin. If there is no result in the case of using this method, you can try to inject the dog intramuscularly with a mixture of "No-shpy", "Analgin" and "Dimedrol".

In case of a sharp drop in temperature, if it is not related to childbirth, the pet should be warmed up using a warm blanket or heating pad. The animal must be urgently taken to a veterinary clinic or call a veterinarian at home.

Temperature in dogs before childbirth

It is especially important to monitor the condition of pregnant bitches. For 12-24 hours, the dog's temperature before giving birth can drop by 1-2 degrees and fall below the mark of 37 degrees. For this reason, in animals in this condition, it is recommended to measure this indicator twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. Immediately during childbirth, the animal may begin to have a fever. If you carefully observe the condition of the dog, then do not miss the onset of labor. The main thing is not to fuss. The bitch may start whining, worrying, breathing fast.

Temperature before and after childbirth is the main indicator of the condition of the dog. When approaching the moment of birth of puppies, measurements should be taken regularly. If a veterinarian is present at the birth, be sure to tell him this information. Normal temperature in large dogs before startingof this process is approximately 37.4-36.6 degrees. Try closer to the 60th day of the term not to leave the dog alone. In the first stage of labor, contractions appear. At this time, there is staggering when walking, shortness of breath, refusal to eat, vomiting. This stage lasts approximately 12 hours. Throughout the time, try to monitor the temperature of the animal. If it remains slightly below normal, then everything is fine.

Temperature differences between large and small dogs

Basic vital signs may vary among different breeds. To determine their individual values for your pet, you need to regularly measure. What temperature is considered normal for a dog? For an adult animal, the optimal values are from 37.5 to 38.5 degrees.

For a puppy, a value of 39 degrees is considered normal. The breed of the animal also matters. The bigger the dog, the colder it is. The normal temperature for small breed dogs is between 38.5 and 39 degrees.

Fever in a dog: what to do?

Many owners want to know how to help their pet with an increase in body temperature. First you need to determine what caused it. The best place to start is by looking at the animal. Pay attention to the behavior of the dog. Aggression, fear or nervous overexcitation can affect the temperature. In dry and warm weather, the pet may experience discomfort. Older dogs and representatives of large breeds do not tolerate heat well. A value up to 39 degrees is the normal temperature for an adultdogs. But it should be borne in mind that here everything can be determined by the individual characteristics of the animal.

Chart keeping

If you decide to take your pet to exhibitions, then you should definitely know how to measure the temperature of a dog. In this case, you will need to maintain a special schedule. If during regular measurements you suddenly find a deviation from the norm, try to establish the cause. A significant decrease or increase in temperature may be associated with a pet's illness. In this case, you should definitely visit a veterinary office or call a specialist at home. This vital sign should also be monitored in pregnant bitches.

Another case where constant temperature measurement is required is the period before and after vaccinations. In this situation, attention should be paid to factors such as increased thirst, refusal to eat, pallor of mucous membranes, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions.

Some owners think that the normal temperature in dogs can be determined by touching the nose. However, whether it is cold or hot, this is not an indicator at all. To find out the temperature, you need to measure it. If the dog is sick, the results should be recorded in the morning and evening.

Dog temperature: what does it mean?

If you notice a fever in your pet, this does not mean that he is sick. The temperature in dogs can rise for a short time in warm weather or as a result of intense exercise. In addition, fever can be associated with fear and excitement. Bitchesan increase in temperature is observed during estrus. However, a gradual increase of 1-2 degrees should cause alertness, but with an increase to 40, emergency measures can be taken. The reasons can be different, ranging from heat stroke to serious diseases such as piroplasmosis and endometritis. In puppies, fever can occur due to teething. Often the temperature rises with inflammation of the joints. Low rates can be with diseases such as parvovirus enteritis. Also, in some cases, a decrease in body temperature may be the result of an operation. When such symptoms appear, the dog should be wrapped up warmer. The condition of the animal must be reported to the veterinarian.

What to do when a temperature appears?

If a dog develops symptoms such as lethargy, refusal to eat, frequent urge to urinate, you should immediately determine if the animal has a fever. It should be borne in mind that in some cases it occurs for completely natural reasons. It is believed that 39.3 is a normal temperature in dogs that have recently gone through childbirth. After the appearance of puppies, the first time it is necessary to monitor the condition of the animal. With a significant increase in temperature, the appearance of seals in the mammary glands and discharge, contact your veterinarian immediately. Perhaps the fever is caused by mastitis or inflammation of the uterus.

If you are faced with the appearance of a fever in a dog, be sure to keep in mind that this is a clear symptom of some internal problems in the animal's body. Many are interested in what to give the dog fromtemperature. It is worth remembering that by removing the fever, you do not solve the main problem. In no case do not do home treatment, but take the animal to the veterinarian. Only in the event of a rapid deterioration in the condition of the dog, you can resort to methods of emergency lowering the temperature. While waiting for the doctor, you can give the animal "Analgin". But by no means strong drugs.

If high temperature is associated with teething or stress, then you can try to inject "Analgin", "Dimedrol" and "No-shpa". When using other drugs that relieve fever, you can get a blurred clinical picture. In this case, it will be difficult for the doctor to diagnose. The treatment prescribed by the veterinarian must be strictly followed. In no case can you cancel drugs at your own discretion.

Conclusion

Significant changes in temperature in dogs can be caused by diseases such as distemper, endometritis, enteritis and piroplasmosis. Fever is a consequence of serious wounds, allergic reactions and vaccinations. Normal temperature in small breed dogs can range from 37.4 to 39.3 degrees. As a rule, it is determined by the age, breed and individual characteristics of the animal. An attentive owner can always determine that the dog is not in order. With symptoms such as lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, you should definitely take the temperature. To carry out this procedure, you can use both a conventional mercury thermometer and a modern electronic thermometer.

If you decide to get a dog, then do not forget that you are responsible for her he alth. Therefore, try to provide all the conditions for a carefree life of the pet.