What is the normal temperature for dogs? Normal temperature in dogs of small and large breeds

Owners and breeders of large breeds of dogs know how important it is for a pet to be healthy (according to the generally accepted rules, dogs are considered large, growth at the withers, which exceeds 60 centimeters, and weighs more than 26 kilograms).

Body temperature in such animals is an important indicator of the condition. If you suspect a deterioration in the well-being of a pet, his body is the first thing to do before seeking help from a specialist.

Important! Extremely dangerous for dogs is 1-2 degrees gradually, systematically. And its below 36 degrees can even be life-threatening.

Normally, a dog's body temperature can rise by 0.3-0.5 degrees for short periods of time.

Normal body temperature indicators of dogs of large breeds can be associated with the characteristics of each particular breed:

deerhound - from 37.5 ° C to 39 ° C;
labrador - from 38 ° C to 39 ° C;
French bulldog - from 38 ° C to 39 ° C;
greyhound - from 38 ° C to 39 ° C;
mastiff - from 37.5 ° C to 39.3 ° C;
alabai - from 38°C to 39°C;
dog - from 38 ° C to 39 ° C;
shepherd dog - from 38 ° C to 39 ° C;
setter - from 38°C to 39°C;
pointer - from 37.5 ° C to 39 ° C;
laika - from 38.5 ° C to 39.4 ° C;
Dalmatian - from 37.5 ° C to 38.5 ° C;
– from 38°C to 38.5°C;
retriever - from 38°C to 39°C;
wolfhound - from 37.5 ° C to 38 ° C;
watchdog - from 37.5 ° C to 38.5 ° C;
St. Bernard - from 38.5 ° C to 39 ° C;
Malamute - from 38 ° C to 38.5 ° C.

By lowering the temperature with antipyretics, you will briefly improve your pet's well-being, but this can make diagnosis somewhat difficult.

If at home you failed to bring the animal's body temperature to the required values, and you do not observe visible reasons, urgently consult, and perhaps make an appointment with your pet for an appointment with a veterinarian to determine the specific causes of changes in temperature indicators and the appointment of an adequate course.

An unreasonable increase in the temperature indicators of the body temperature of an animal may indicate the presence of complex diseases that do not have noticeable diseases. Timely treatment help your pet continue a happy, healthy and fulfilling life with you.

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An important indicator of the well-being of dogs is their body temperature. Deviations from the norm indicate the course of inflammatory processes in the body. A normal temperature in dogs is a sign that there are no health problems. If you are the owner of a pet, then you should know the rate of this indicator of well-being.

What is the norm?

The temperature in dogs is normally higher than human. It is 37.5-39 ° C. In specific animals, it differs, as it depends on several factors:

breeds;
gender;
age;
physiological state;
individual features.

In a small breed puppy, the norm is approximately 39 ° C. In an adult large breed, the normal temperature can be much lower. The value of the indicator increases in dogs in hot weather, after physical exertion, from excitement, fear, during estrus in bitches.

As an example, let's look at the normal temperature in animals:

small breed puppy - 38.6–39.3 ° C;
adult dog of small breed - 38.5–39.0 ° C;
puppy of medium breed - 38.3-39.1 ° C;
adult dog of medium breed - 37.5–39.0 ° C;
large breed puppy - 38.2–39.0 ° C;
an adult dog of a large breed - 37.4–38.3 ° C.

Body temperature in dogs is an individual indicator. This is clearly seen in the example.

When should measurements be taken?

If your dog is absolutely healthy, then daily measurements are not necessary. You just need to know what temperature is normal for your beloved pet.

Healthy breeding puppies are recommended to take regular measurements from birth according to a specific schedule. This indicator should be measured before and after childbirth. Its value determines how soon the dog will have puppies. As a rule, the temperature drops significantly before childbirth. It also needs to be measured before and after vaccinations.

In case of poor condition, regularly (morning and evening) measure the pet's body temperature. Get a special notebook. In it you will make daily notes.

Signs and causes of temperature deviation from the norm

Many owners evaluate the condition of a pet by the nose. They consider a dry, hot nose a sign of a health problem. This information is a myth. Dry, warm nose at night is normal. Animals do not lick it during sleep. Dry nose in dogs is not a reason to visit a veterinary clinic.

A healthy animal looks cheerful. It actively reacts to events, normally eats, plays. The dog's coat is shiny and tight. In a sick animal, the opposite characteristics are observed. There are such signs of ill health: fever in a puppy, an adult dog, refusal to eat throughout the day, lethargy, restlessness (with severe pain), vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, heart palpitations, breathing.

If the above symptoms are observed, then measure the body temperature, see if it is normal. The reasons for its change can be diseases, infections. High values occur with plague, piroplasmosis, endometritis, heat stroke. The decrease occurs with parvovirus enteritis, helminthic invasion and other diseases.

How to determine?

The measurement is made with a thermometer (electronic or mercury). The use of an electronic thermometer is recommended. The measurement procedure will last no more than a minute. The mercury thermometer is not as fast. To obtain reliable information, they need to measure the temperature for 3-5 minutes. The only advantage of a mercury thermometer is its low price.

Buy a separate thermometer for your beloved puppy or adult dog. Family members for hygiene reasons should not use it. Zero scale before use. To make the procedure less unpleasant, grease the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly.

The pet will not like measuring body temperature, as it will be carried out rectally. During the procedure, talk to the animal, call it affectionate words, soothe, stroke, treat it with some treat.

When entering the thermometer, the dog can be positioned in one of the following two positions:

lying on the side;
standing.

For inexperienced owners, the first method is suitable. In dogs lying down, you will need to raise the tail, slowly insert the prepared thermometer into the anus by 1-2 cm (depending on the size of the animal).

A calm, quiet environment should prevail in the room during the procedure. The dog during the first measurement experiences excitement, fear. Hold your pet while introducing the thermometer. The animal can twitch, jump up, break the thermometer, injure itself.

After the procedure, it is very important to feed the animal something tasty, but before that, wash the thermometer in warm water using soap and disinfect it with alcohol. Don't forget to wash and sanitize your hands.

If you wish, you can teach the puppy to a specific team (for example, "treat", "thermometer"). If your dog understands, then it will be very easy to take measurements later on. The pet, hearing the command, will allow you to measure t °, it will calmly wait for the end of the procedure.

What to do if the temperature is increased (lowered)?

The deviation of this indicator from the normal value is a sign of the body's fight against infection, a symptom of the disease. If you find that the dog's body temperature has increased (decreased), do not try to influence it on your own. Normal indicators may be obtained in this way, but it will not be possible to get rid of a disease or infection in this way.

Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible, call him at home. Due to delay, valuable minutes are lost, the condition of the animal worsens. You can take your pet to the veterinary clinic. If your pet's thermometer shows above 40 ° C, then apply something cool to his body during transportation. Be careful. The dog must not be cold. If the animal has a low temperature (below 36.5 ° C), then attach a warm heating pad to its body, cover with a blanket.

Do not give your pet medication of your choice. They will only worsen the situation, because the reason for the deviation of body temperature from the norm in dogs are infections, tumors, endocrine diseases, toxins.

Specialists of the veterinary clinic will be able to quickly and correctly diagnose, prescribe the necessary medications. Try to do everything that the veterinarians have recommended. Do not cancel self-administered drugs after the dog's condition improves. This can only be done by a doctor who is sure that the dog’s normal temperature will no longer change, the animal is completely healthy and absolutely nothing threatens its life.

Body temperature is an important indicator of the health status of not only humans, but also animals. A deviation from the norm of this indicator will tell you that the dog needs veterinary care. But if for a person a temperature of 39 degrees indicates a disease, then for a dog, most often, this indicator is not overestimated and is fully consistent with the norm.

Factors affecting temperature

Body temperature in pets is not the same as in humans. Normal body temperature in dogs can range from 37.5 degrees to 39, in rare cases up to 39.3. This indicator is not constant throughout life and depends not only on the breed and size of the animal, but also on the ambient temperature, emotional state and physical activity of the animal.

To answer the question of what temperature in a dog is considered normal at a given time, several factors must be taken into account:

Body temperature in dogs depends on several other factors and may fluctuate slightly. By 0.5-1 degree, the thermometer may increase in the following cases:

Hot weather.
Severe stress or anxiety.
Eating.
Estrus.

Decreased for physiological reasons, the temperature is observed in the following cases:

The postoperative period, for example, during the withdrawal of the animal from anesthesia.
During pregnancy, a few days before childbirth.

Signs of deviation from the norm

There is no need to measure the temperature of a healthy pet, with rare exceptions. It is recommended to control it in breeding puppies, before exhibitions, during pregnancy and during vaccinations. In all other cases, if the dog is cheerful and active, you should not create an additional stressful situation for him by this manipulation.

If the behavior and condition of the pet has changed, suspicious symptoms have appeared, it is imperative to measure the temperature of the animal.

The symptoms of a fever are:

Often, the main symptoms of a fever include a hot and dry nose. In fact, you should not rely on this indicator. In dogs, during and after sleep, the nose is always dry and hot. At the same time, even in the case of intense heat, it can sometimes remain damp and cool. Therefore, this indicator should be paid attention to if dryness of the tip of the nose is observed not sporadically, but for a long time.

Low temperature also has its own signs:

Shiver.
Shallow breathing.
Slow heartbeat.
Muscular tension.
Drowsiness.
Low BP.

Temperature measurement at home

In the event that the dog shows signs of malaise, it is necessary to check its temperature. You can do this at home on your own, before contacting the veterinarian. For this procedure, you will need a conventional or electronic thermometer, petroleum jelly and a lot of sweets.

How can you measure the temperature of a dog at home so that the stress from this manipulation does not provoke an even greater increase in the thermometer readings? Necessary lay the pet on its side, stroke it and soothe it, while giving your favorite treats. Animals are very susceptible to human intonation, so you need to talk to them as calmly and gently as possible.

It is better that 2 people take part in the process of determining temperature indicators. The one who enjoys the most trust and love of a pet should be closer to his face, stroke, soothe and feed. The task of the second person is the following:

Lubricate the end of the thermometer with petroleum jelly or other greasy cream, having previously disinfected it.
Gently lift the tail up without sudden movements.
In the rectum, to a depth of about 2 centimeters, insert a thermometer.
The mercury thermometer must be held for 5 minutes, and the electronic one until the beep.
At the end of the procedure, the measuring device is carefully removed and then disinfected.

It is important to ensure that during the manipulation the animal does not make sudden movements and does not injure itself. After completing the measurement, the pet should be properly rewarded with treats and praise.

Determination of fever without a thermometer

When there is no thermometer at hand, you can determine the fever without it. On the body of the dogs there are places that will signal the vigilant owner of the danger. Unfortunately, this is not possible for cats.

If a fever is suspected, the four-legged friend should be checked for:

Gums. In a normal state, the gums are moist and have a light pink color. The fever can turn them a rich red color and make them almost dry.

Inguinal and axillary cavities. In these areas, the animals do not have sweat glands, respectively, during a fever, these areas will be hot.
Ears. The auricles are permeated with a huge number of blood vessels located close to the surface. If the body temperature rises, the blood vessels dilate and the ears become hotter than usual. When only one ear is hot, this rather indicates the inflammatory process of the organ itself.

First aid in excess of the norm

The main thing that the owner of a pet should remember is that in case of any temperature deviations, the pet must be shown to the veterinarian. If it is not possible to quickly get to the doctor, and the indicators have reached a critical limit, you should try to lower the dog's body temperature on your own.

It is not recommended to reduce the temperature with medication. In addition to blurring the clinical picture and making it difficult for the veterinarian to quickly make a correct diagnosis, it can also harm the dog. Non-veterinary antipyretics otherwise act on animals and can poison the pet, cause internal bleeding, and even death.

It is permissible to lower the temperature with medicines only if the indicator has reached a critical limit of 40.5 degrees and does not drop. To do this, prepare a mixture in one syringe from solutions of no-shpa, diphenhydramine and analgin in a ratio of 1:1:1. It is necessary to calculate the dose based on the fact that 0.1 ml of each drug should fall on 1 kg of body weight. That is, an injection of 6 ml is prepared for an average dog weighing 20 kg.

Diphenhydramine and no-shpa are drugs that are approved for the treatment of animals. While analgin can give side effects. In the event of a threat to the life of a pet, the side effects of analgin are not taken into account.

In other cases, temperature indicators can be reduced in the following ways:

Apply ice wrapped in a towel to the paws, neck and inner thighs.
If there is no way to apply ice, find the coldest place for the pet, for example, in the bathroom on a tile and put it there.
Give water to drink, but not ice cold.
Moisten paw pads and belly with cool water.

Such actions usually help to reduce the indicator by 0.5 degrees and make it easier to transport the animal to the veterinarian.

Helping a pet with a cold

If the temperature drops below 37 degrees, the first thing to do is warm the dog. To do this, it must be laid in a warm place and wrapped in a blanket made of wool. Prepare a warm heating pad, the temperature of which should be from 38 to 38.5 degrees, and apply it to the paw pads. If the dog does not refuse to drink, give him warm broth or milk.

It is very important to prevent hypothermia of the pet. If possible, call the veterinarian at home. In the absence of such an opportunity, it is possible to transport the animal to the doctor only after the temperature indicators have approached normal.

Veterinary procedures

When a pet with an elevated temperature enters the hospital, the veterinarian, most often, conducts a reception in the following sequence:

History taking and clinical examination.
Blood analysis and, if necessary, urine.
Ultrasound and x-ray.
If necessary, a biopsy.
Establishing diagnosis.
Purpose of treatment.

First of all, the doctor should always conduct a clinical examination and only then proceed to reduce the temperature with medication.

A temperature below 37 degrees indicates that the animal's body is exhausted by the fight against the disease, and the immune system is in the stage of oppression. In this case, resuscitation measures are already needed. Depending on the symptoms that accompany hypothermia, warming treatment is prescribed:

Rubbing paws and massages.
"Warming" droppers.
Stimulation of the cardiovascular system.

Warming therapy should be carried out until the body temperature of the animal will not be kept within the normal range within 15 hours. And general therapy, depending on the disease, will include:

It is impossible to ignore those signs that are unusual for the usual state of a four-legged friend. Any, even the most insignificant deviation can signal a dangerous disease that threatens the dog's life. The sooner the animal is shown to the doctor, the more chances he has for a speedy and complete recovery.

Attention, only TODAY!

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 determine?

What temperature is considered normal 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 - 37.5-39, for small - 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?

Temperature measurement in a pet should be carried out in case of the following symptoms:

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

It is important.

Equipment

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. You should also thoroughly wash and treat your hands with a disinfectant composition.

Sequencing

Before measuring the temperature of a 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 sound signal occurs). Then carefully pull out the device. If you did everything right, then your pet will not experience any discomfort.

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

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

Causes of fever

The temperature of a healthy 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 bitches, 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".

With a sharp drop in temperature, if it is not associated with childbirth, the pet needs to 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 temperature of the dog before childbirth 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 to whine, worry, breathe often.

The 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 starting 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 a little below normal, then everything goes well.

Temperature difference between large and small dogs

Representatives of different breeds of basic vital signs may differ. 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 \u200b\u200bare 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.

Dog fever: 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 adult dog. But it should be borne in mind that here everything can be determined by the individual characteristics of the animal.

Schedule maintenance

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.

Temperature in a dog: 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. In females, an 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 such ailments as 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 the 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 from the temperature. 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 case 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 in any case, not potent drugs.

If the high temperature is associated with teething or stress, then you can try to inject Analgin, Dimedrol and No-shpy. 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 the 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 its health. Therefore, try to provide all the conditions for a carefree life of the pet.

If you decide to adopt a pet, then need to understand that the pet will require constant care for his health.

One of the main indicators of a dog's well-being is its body, because even a slight one can be the first sign that something is wrong with the pet's body.

This is especially true for small breed dogs. which are more susceptible to various diseases. That is why, in order to timely identify the pathologies present in the animal's body, it is necessary to know with utmost precision what temperature norm is inherent in one or another.

Small breeds of dogs, depending on their size, are divided into three subgroups:

small- no more than 45 cm at the withers and 10 kg of weight;
dwarf- no more than 35 cm at the withers and 5 kg of weight;
toi- no more than 30 cm at the withers and 4 kg of weight.

In total, there are about 150 breeds of small dogs in the world, but only 45-50 of them are widespread.

What should be the normal body temperature?

It was noted that in different representatives of small breeds temperature may be different. Below are some of the most common breeds and their inherent body temperature:

– 38.5-38.9°С;
spaniel - 38.0-39.5 ° С;
– 38.0-39.0°С;
pinscher - 37.5-38.0 ° С;
beagle - 38.4-38.7 ° C;
bichon - 38.0-39.2 ° С;
– 38.0-39.9°С;
lap dog - 38.5-38.9 ° С;
Pekingese - 38.5-38.8 ° С;
dachshund - 38.0-39.5 ° С;
– 38.0-39.5°С.

How to measure?

Emergency situations, which often put your pet's life at stake, happen quite often, and in order to always be ready for this or that incident, it is very important to know how to manage your miniature pet on your own.

Important! Of course, the process of measuring the temperature for an animal, no matter how large it may be, is a stressful situation, so it is necessary to measure the temperature only in extreme cases.

To know for sure whether it is worth disturbing your pet once again, you need to pay attention to his behavior.

If the following changes are observed, then the temperature must be measured:

at some point, the pet stopped leading an active lifestyle, he has apathy;
the dog's appetite has worsened, and a complete refusal to eat is possible;
the pet refuses to drink water or, conversely, is constantly very thirsty;
the pet has recently been in contact with a sick animal;
the animal constantly seems tired and prefers sleep to games.

The pathological condition, in whatever form it may be, is the first of what your four-legged friend has or.

To take your dog's temperature at home, follow these steps:

Before proceeding directly, care must be taken to ensure that the animal is in relaxed and least anxious state. To do this, it is enough to lay the pet on its side, soothe with strokes and a gentle voice.
When the animal has stopped fussing, gently lift its tail and insert the tip of a thermometer into the rectum(lubricate it with baby cream in advance), adhering to a depth of no more than 2 cm. Any home thermometer will be suitable for measuring temperature, however, if you are dealing with a mercury thermometer, then this model must be kept in the animal's body for 3-4 minutes.
Remember that in the process of measuring the temperature, the animal, no matter how affectionate it may seem, will try to free itself from the hands, and in such a stressful situation, painful bites and aggressive growls are not uncommon. Exactly because of this reason it is recommended to measure body temperature together with someone and not alone.

How to raise a lower one?

Among the most common reasons for a decrease in temperature, the following are distinguished:

all kinds internal diseases pet (disorder of the nervous system, diseases of the thyroid gland, vascular, cardiovascular system), including fractures and external injuries;
long stay in a cold environment, low temperature exposure;
prolonged anesthesia and any operations in the thoracic and abdominal region.

Having dealt with the reason for lowering the body temperature of the dog, you can proceed to methods that contribute to its increase:

First of all, a dog with a low temperature need to calm down, at best - pick up, thereby trying to calm the possible trembling of the animal. In order to provide first aid to the pet before the arrival of the veterinarian, it should be remembered that now a dog with a low temperature, more than ever, needs warmth and comfort.
Wrap your pet in a warm blanket, which, if possible, should be placed near the battery or in some warm room. You can also cover the animal with pillows, rubber heating pads with warm (not hot) water, offer warm water or broth that can briefly restore strength and energy to the pet.
As the animal's condition improves or worsens, measure his body temperature and draw appropriate conclusions.

How to downgrade?

Attention! Body temperature, slightly or significantly higher than normal, is a serious reason to think about the health of the animal.

Among the reasons for small breeds are:

poor resistance to stress nervous experiences;
sun or heat stroke due to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight;
inflammation both inside the animal's body and outside (inflammation of a wound, fracture);
the body's response to viral diseases, the infection that got inside and its further spread.

To reduce body temperature in dogs of small breeds in the following ways:

Move the animal to cool room, periodically it, airing it, opening the windows, turning on the air conditioner or fan.
Offer the animal cool water, in the most difficult situations, pour the drink into the pet's mouth through a syringe.
Try to alleviate the condition of the pet, wetting a towel with water and applying it to the sides, back, inner thighs of the animal.
If the animal's condition does not improve, and the temperature is kept at a high level (40 degrees), use the approved antipyretics.

When making a faithful four-legged friend, remember that we and only we are responsible for the preservation and well-being of those we have tamed. Only a responsible approach to will allow him to spend a long and happy life side by side with you.

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