Methods for measuring dog body temperature

For dogs, you can use rectal temperature measurement, backward medial temperature measurement, oral temperature measurement or ear temperature measurement. The two most commonly used methods of measuring body temperature are Rectal thermometry and medial hind leg thermometry.
In fact, rectal thermometry is the most accurate method of measuring body temperature, and it is convenient and quick. Veterinarians usually use rectal thermometry to measure the temperature of dogs. The inner hind leg temperature measurement method requires adding 0.5 degrees to the measured body temperature, and the measurement time is relatively long.

1. Rectal thermometer method:

(1) Disinfect the rectal thermometer with alcohol, shake the rectal thermometer a few times, and adjust the temperature back to the normal position.

(2) Apply a small amount of Vaseline on one end of the rectal thermometer for lubrication. If Vaseline is not available, purified water can be used instead.

(3) It is recommended to test when the dog is sleeping or lying down to avoid causing strong resistance from the dog. It is best to have one person help soothe the dog and distract it. One person takes the temperature.

(4) Put one end of the rectal thermometer into the rectum about 2cm, remember not to exceed 3cm.

(5) Wait for about 5 minutes and take out the rectal thermometer.

2. Method for measuring the temperature on the inside of the hind legs:

(1) Disinfect the thermometer with alcohol, shake the thermometer a few times, and adjust the temperature back to the normal position.

(2) For puppies, it is best to measure their body temperature when they are sleeping or lying down. For large dogs, it is recommended to test while sleeping or lying down to avoid resistance. It is best to have someone help calm and distract the dog.

(3) Place the thermometer on the inside of the dog’s hind legs, where it is connected to the belly. The principle is similar to how humans measure body temperature under their armpits.

(4) Since the body surface temperature is lower than the rectal temperature, it needs to be measured for 10 minutes before removal. The temperature at this time needs to add 0.5 degrees.

(5) When measuring the dog’s temperature, you can use snacks to distract the dog, which can effectively reduce the dog’s resistance.

Normal body temperature of dogs

The body temperature of dogs is related to their age. Puppies are a little higher than adult dogs. The following is the dog's rectal temperature. The rectal temperature is slightly higher than the body surface temperature by about 0.5 degrees.

(1) Milk dog. Puppies born within a week have a lower body temperature, about 34.5-36 degrees, and puppies born within 2-6 weeks have a body temperature of about 36-39 degrees. (rectal temperature)

(2) Puppies. The normal body temperature range is 38 to 39 degrees. (rectal temperature)

(3) Adult dogs. The normal body temperature range is 37.5 to 38.5 degrees. (rectal temperature)

Under normal circumstances, a dog's body temperature is usually slightly lower in the morning and slightly higher in the afternoon. The temperature difference between day and night generally does not exceed 1 degree.

These conditions in dogs may indicate fever

In addition to measuring the dog's temperature to determine whether the dog has a fever, you can also make a preliminary judgment through the following methods:

1. Observe whether the dog’s nose is moist. A healthy dog's nose is moist. If it is dry, it means the dog may have a fever.

2. Touch the base of the dog's ears to see if the temperature is higher than the body temperature. If the temperature at the base of the ear is obviously higher than the body temperature, the dog may have a fever.

3. Pay attention to whether the dog likes to drink cold water. Dogs with fever are generally thirsty and like to drink cold water. If you find that your dog suddenly drinks water frequently, you should pay attention to whether the dog has a fever.