What should be the normal temperature for large breed dogs? Detailed data. What should be the normal temperature for dogs

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 in line with the norm.

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:

1. Hot weather.
2. Severe stress or anxiety.
3. Eating.
4. Estrus.

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

1. The postoperative period, for example, during the withdrawal of the animal from anesthesia.
2. 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 necessary 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 episodically, 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:

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

1. Inguinal and axillary cavities. In these areas, the animals do not have sweat glands, respectively, during a fever, these areas will be hot.
2. 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 the 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:

1. Apply ice wrapped in a towel to the paws, neck and inner thighs.
2. 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.
3. Give water to drink, but not ice cold.
4. 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:

1. History taking and clinical examination.
2. Blood analysis and, if necessary, urine.
3. Ultrasound and x-ray.
4. If necessary, a biopsy.
5. Establishing diagnosis.
6. 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:

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

Warming therapy should be carried out until the animal's body temperature is kept within normal limits for 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!

In order to detect health problems in your pet in time, you need to know what temperature in a dog is considered normal, since its indicator is considered the key to proper development and physical activity. It is worth noting that there is no universal value for all four-legged friends, as in humans (36.6 ° C).

What temperature should a healthy dog ​​have?

Studies have found that body temperature in animals depends on breed, size, age, physical activity and other nuances. For example, if you take measurements in the morning and evening, the thermometer readings may differ. It doesn’t build attention to small deviations, but if the dog’s body temperature has risen or dropped by a couple of degrees, then this may already indicate health problems. It is important to pay attention to the appearance of other symptoms.

For those who are interested in what temperature is considered normal in a dog, it is worth specifying the following range: 37.5-39.3 ° C. If a person sweats for thermoregulation, then the animal is deprived of such an opportunity, so he often has to breathe with his mouth open. The normal temperature can rise even due to the stress experienced by the pet or other vivid emotions. All this is important to consider so as not to panic in vain.

Normal temperature in small breed dogs

If we compare representatives of large and small breeds, then there are some differences in the work of their body. To a greater extent, this applies to metabolic processes, which in the latter proceed at a high speed. This directly affects the temperature indicators. This pattern also applies to puppies when compared with adult animals. As for the temperature in dogs of small breeds, the value of 38.5-39 ° C is considered normal (for puppies 38.6-39.3 ° C).

Normal temperature in medium breed dogs

With an increase in body weight, temperature indicators will also slightly decrease. Another important nuance that four-legged owners should be aware of is that even within the same age and breed, slight variations in average parameters may appear, which is associated with the individual characteristics of a particular animal. For those who are interested in what body temperature is considered normal in a medium breed dog, the following indicators should be taken into account: 37.5-39 ° C (for puppies 38.3-39.1 ° C).

Normal temperature in large breed dogs

The most cold-blooded animals of all sizes are representatives of large breeds, which do not have such an active metabolism and, in comparison with babies, do not have such a frequent heartbeat. The temperature of a healthy dog ​​is considered normal, which is 37.4-38.3 ° C (for puppies 38.2-39 ° C). All the nuances regarding possible changes in the indicators indicated earlier are also relevant for large breeds.

What is the temperature of a pregnant dog?

When an animal is in position, various changes occur in its body, for example, this concerns the hormonal background. The new state of the pet is also reflected in the temperature. In most cases, the indicators either remain unchanged or fall, but not more than a degree. Given this, it is important to know what the normal body temperature of dogs is, which is why veterinarians recommend that all pet owners make changes from time to time in order to know the values ​​\u200b\u200bof a healthy pet.

What is the dog's temperature before giving birth?

One of the harbingers that puppies will be born in the near future is considered to be a decrease in temperature by about 1 ° C, but in some cases a drop of 1.5 ° C is possible. It is worth noting that experts have recorded cases when such changes are observed two days before the birth of babies. The temperature of the dog before childbirth should be measured twice: in the morning and in the evening, in order to be able to control the situation.

A situation is considered dangerous when, instead of a decrease, an increase in indicators even by 0.5-1 ° C is observed. This may indicate problems with the fetus or inflammation, so it's best to contact your veterinarian right away. Finding out what temperature in a dog is considered normal, it is worth noting that during the birth itself, the temperature rises to a normal value. This happens during the departure of amniotic fluid.

Temperature in a dog after childbirth

After the puppies are born, there should be no prolonged bleeding, and discharge, according to the norm, without an unpleasant odor. It is important to know what body temperature dogs have at this time, as the value rises and is approximately 39.5 ° C. Make sure that the indicators do not rise to 40 ° C and above. If fever is still observed, consult a doctor immediately, as this can be life-threatening for a new mother.

Low temperature in a dog

Hypothermia can be a problem for the health of the animal, in which the value on the thermometer will be below 37.5 ° C. A low temperature in a dog is due to banal hypothermia, as a result of an operation, after prolonged anesthesia, due to thyroid diseases, heart problems, and so on. There are three forms of hypothermia:

1. Light– up to 32°C. Symptoms include drowsiness, trembling, and weakness. You need to warm the animal using a blanket and a heating pad, and give warm water. It is recommended to control the temperature every 15 minutes.
2. Moderate– up to 28°C. There is a decrease in heart rate, weakness in the muscles and arterial hypotension. The body should be warmed up using heating pads or a heater.
3. Deep– below 28°С. The work of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems is disrupted. The dog may go into a coma.

Fever in a dog

There are a number of reasons that can cause a fever in an animal:

1. If the pet has experienced severe stress, then for a short period of time his temperature may rise, for example, after moving. Knowing what temperature in dogs is considered normal, the indicators in such a situation will differ by no more than 2 ° C.
2. When an infection settles in the body, the body begins to fight it, which leads to the appearance of fever.
3. In hot weather, the cause of malaise often lies in overheating of the body. In this case, it is useful to know what to do if the dog has a fever, as the condition can be critical. It is necessary to shift the pet to a cool place, be sure to provide it with water and gradually cool the body.
4. Various inflammations, tumors, and even external injuries can cause fever, so it is important for the diagnosis to pay attention to other symptoms and see a doctor for an examination.

What to give a dog for fever?

If there is no opportunity to take the animal to the clinic or invite the veterinarian home, then you need to help the pet on your own. There are a number of recommendations on how to bring down the temperature of the dog at home.

1. Take ice cubes, wrap them in a cloth and place them on your neck and inner thighs. You can take a wet towel and cover the animal with it. It is not recommended to deliberately wet the coat, as this will impair thermoregulation. It is important to consider that at high temperatures, the pet needs to drink, otherwise dehydration may occur.
2. It is recommended to ventilate the room where the sick dog is located. In summer you can use the air conditioner for cooling.
3. If you know what temperature the dog is considered normal, and the value on the thermometer is much higher, then you can give the animal an antipyretic. The allowed dose is no more than 0.2 tablets, otherwise you can harm your pet. You can use analgin, nurofen or paracetamol. Puppies should be given baby products. Please note that the tablet only reduces the temperature, and you can cope with the cause of the ailment. Turning to the vet.

How to take a dog's temperature?

For measurements, it is necessary to use a medical thermometer: mercury or electronic. The second option is considered safer, more convenient and it will take no more than a minute to wait for measurements. It is better to find out from an early age what temperature in dogs is considered the norm, and the pet itself should be accustomed to the procedure in order to avoid aggressive behavior in the future. For the animal, it is necessary to allocate a separate thermometer. There is an instruction, at home:

1. Take a clean thermometer and disinfect it. Lubricate the tip with baby cream or petroleum jelly. If the dog is obedient, then it can stand, and if not, then lay it on its side. It is important that she be calm, otherwise nothing will work.
2. Raise the tail and with rotational movements insert the thermometer into the anus by about 1.5-2 cm, no deeper is needed. If the measurement is taken in a standing position, then so that she does not sit down, hold her firmly by the root of the tail.
3. During the procedure, praise and talk to your pet to calm him down. After the beep, it is recommended to wait another half a minute, and then, you can already remove the thermometer. Don't forget to praise and give treats.

How to take a dog's temperature without a thermometer?

There are several ways to tell if an animal has a fever, but it is important to note that they are not reliable and only provide a basis for further diagnosis.

1. There is an increased outflow of blood on the paws and ears, therefore, when the temperature rises, these parts of the body become hot to the touch. You need to touch them either with the back of your hand or with your cheek.
2. When figuring out how to determine the temperature in a dog, it is worth remembering another way - feeling the groin area and armpits. Here are the lymph nodes that increase in size if there is an infection or disease in the body. Temperatures are also rising in these areas.
3. Many even children know that the condition of an animal can be determined by its nose, if it has become hot, then there are problems.
4. Experts recommend looking into the pet's mouth and assessing the condition of the gums. If everything is normal, then they will be pink and wet. Any changes can be considered a signal of problems.

The most important indicator of a dog's health is its normal body temperature. There are many factors that can change the temperature in one direction or another. It depends on the sex of the dog, its breed, physical condition, height, weight and other individual characteristics.

The temperature of the dog should be measured when it is in a normal state. If the owner knows what temperature his dog has, then he can find out about any problem with her health at any time.

Short-term temperature increase in dogs of any breed, it can arise from excitement, fear, or exercise. Of course, it still rises in hot weather, and in bitches during estrus.

A decrease or increase in the body temperature of a dog is the first sign of its illness, which is the norm.

What should you pay attention to?

Temperatures should be taken properly in dogs when:

• she refuses food;
• refuses water;
• she has cramps, vomiting or diarrhea;
• she has an elevated temperature of the nose and it is dry;
• she is lethargic, has a pale tongue and mucus in her mouth.

The heat of this animal can be measured with any thermometer - conventional or electronic. Thoroughly wash the device and hands after measurement and wipe with alcohol.

What temperature should a dog have?

Any breed of dog, from small to large, must have an individual (normal) body temperature, it can range from 37.4 to 39.3 degrees Celsius. There are some features that should be the norm:

Adult dogs:

• large breed - 37.4–38.3;
• medium breed - 37.5–39;
• small breed - 38.5–39.

Puppies:

• large breed - 38.2–39;
• medium breed - 38.3–39.1;
• small breed - 38.6–39.3.

How to take a dog's temperature?

For measurement, you can use an ordinary thermometer, but in this case you have to keep the dog in a calm state for about five minutes. It is better to use an electronic thermometer, with it the procedure will take about a minute. The pet must have its own thermometer.

The dog's temperature is measured through the rectum. Although the procedure is simple, it requires careful handling of your pet.

• first, grease the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly or any greasy cream;
• lay the animal on its side (you can stand), raise the tail and gently insert the thermometer into the anus to a depth of about 2 cm;
• the temperature measurement should take place in a normal environment so that the dog is not worried or frightened. Otherwise, the pet may jump up and injure itself by breaking the thermometer. During the procedure, you can feed him with all sorts of sweets;
• be sure to praise the dog during the procedure and after.

Signs and causes of temperature deviation from the norm

Many dog ​​breeders determine it in their pet by the nose. They think that if the nose is dry and hot, then their pet is sick. All this is just a myth. Dryness of the nose should not cause the owner any concern. Dry and warm nose at night is normal, since animals do not lick it during sleep.

If the animal is healthy, then it is cheerful, eats normally, plays, actively reacts to all events around it. His coat is shiny and close fitting. A sick animal looks exactly the opposite, the first signs of the disease appear - fever, refusal to eat for a whole day, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, rapid breathing and heartbeat.

When observing the above symptoms, you should immediately measure the pet's fever, see if it is normal. The cause of the fever may be infection or any disease- plague, endometritis, piroplasmosis, heat stroke. The decrease occurs with worms, parvovirus enteritis and other diseases.

What should be done if the temperature is raised (lowered)?

If deviations occur, this means that the body begins to fight the infection or with some symptom of the disease. With its increase (decrease), you should not fight on your own. Normal indicators can be achieved at home, but it will not be possible to get rid of infection and disease.

It is necessary to urgently consult a doctor or call him at home. If the animal has thermometer shows above 40 degrees then you need to take it to the veterinarian. During transportation, something cold should be applied to his body. This must be done very carefully so that the dog does not overcool. When reduced - on the contrary, it is necessary to attach a heating pad to the body and cover with a blanket.

You can not give the animal medications at your discretion, this will only worsen the situation. Deviations from the norm in dogs happen only with infection, tumors, endocrine diseases.

In the veterinary clinic, doctors will make the correct diagnosis and prescribe necessary medicines. The owner will only need to follow these recommendations. If the dog gets better, you should not cancel the medication on your own. This is the business of the veterinarian, only he can be sure that the normal temperature will not change, the animal has fully recovered and nothing threatens his life.

It is one of the most important indicators of the pet's health, it is she who will tell the owner if something is wrong with the pet. Any owner should be guided in such matters as normal thermometer readings, how to measure the temperature of a pet, and what to do if he has a fever. It is to these questions that we will give quite comprehensive answers in our article.

Do dogs always have the same temperatures?

Not all dogs have the same thermometer readings as the norm, it depends on which breed this animal belongs to. Puppies or adults of small breeds have higher rates than animals of large breeds. This factor is influenced by the intensity of metabolism.

When an animal is under stress, such as a visit to a veterinary clinic or a trade show can lead to a more agitated state, these rates increase. High temperature in pets is also observed during estrus, in the heat, after a long load. The body temperature of each individual pet is individual, so it is better for the owner to know what temperature is considered normal and will not cause concern for the pet's condition.

What is the normal temperature for dogs?

A healthy animal has indicators from 37.5 to 39 degrees, but they can vary from different factors. Below is the temperature norm for different breeds of animals:

• Puppies of small breeds 38.6-39.3, adults from 38.5-39.0.
• Puppies of medium breeds 38.3-39.1, adults 37.5-39.0.
• Puppies of large breeds 38.2-39.0, adults 37.4-38.3.

A factor such as the indicators of a thermometer is influenced by the time of year, if it is hot outside, then an increase of 0.5-1 degree is possible.

In a pregnant dog, you need to regularly measure the temperature, because you can determine the approach of childbirth using this indicator, it decreases to 1.5 degrees.

What should I do if my dog ​​has a fever?

If the animal has a rise in temperature to 40 degrees, then first of all you need to remember what events happened to him the day before. Maybe he experienced some kind of stress, maybe there was a trip on public transport or a visit to a veterinary clinic. But in any case, when observing a fever in a pet, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary in order to start treatment as soon as possible. When an animal has a fever, it is necessary to bring it down quickly. To bring down the fever in your pet as quickly as possible, you need to do the following activities:

• Put ice on the neck and thighs of the animal.
• The pet's coat should be moistened with cold water.
• Give small portions of water to the dog.
• Open windows help to bring down the heat of the animal a little with the pet lying on the floor.
• You can try to bring down the fever with the help of wraps with a wet and cool towel. It is especially good to reduce heat with the help of water vapor from the forehead, neck and inner thighs.
• When a dog has a high fever and a visit to the veterinarian is not possible, you can give the pet Nurofen or Paracetamol. But you don’t need to abuse this method, because a pet’s fever can cause a rather serious illness.
• When the fever in the animal appeared as a result of a reaction to the teeth, then you can bring it down at home by mixing ampoules: diphenhydramine, no-shpy, analgin. If the injection fails, then you can try to drink through the mouth.

It is not necessary to give antipyretic drugs without consulting a veterinarian, as they can do more harm than good.

What happens to a dog when it has a fever?

When a pet has a fever, his body experiences serious changes, which include:

• If the rise is above 40.5 degrees, then dehydration occurs, the pet has a reduced appetite, the heartbeat quickens, lethargy and apathy appear.
• Especially serious changes occur in the body when rising above 41.1 degrees. At this time, the dog's fluid loss approaches critical levels, in connection with which cerebral edema and disturbances in the functioning of internal organs appear. The pet develops heart palpitations, shortness of breath, wheezing, loss of consciousness, convulsions, impaired motor processes, urine outflow worsens, which causes poisoning of the body, hemorrhage. All these changes can lead to the rapid death of the dog.

How to take a dog's temperature?

Some owners believe that a dry nose can tell if a dog has a fever, but this is a myth. A dry and warm nose is not an indicator of a pet's illness and a reason to visit a veterinarian. Measurements are best done with an electronic thermometer, because it is safer to use. The animal must have a separate thermometer, it does not need to be used for people.

Before taking measurements, it is better to lubricate the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly. Measurements should be carried out rectally, so you need to calm the animal, gently talk to him, treat him with yummy. When measurements are taken for the first time, it is best to take them with a dog lying on its side. The thermometer is inserted into the anus of the animal, a calm atmosphere should reign around, it is better to hold the pet so that it does not harm itself. After this procedure is over, you need to disinfect the thermometer and reward the animal with some kind of treat.

If the dog is looking for the coolest place in the house, then you need to pay attention to this, maybe he has a fever? It is necessary to try to surround him with care and attention, rather bring down the temperature, while it is important not to put off visiting the veterinarian for a long time. Only he will prescribe the right treatment.

In dogs, body temperature is one of the main criteria by which the general condition of the body is assessed. Its normal indicators in different breeds, due to physiological characteristics and temperament, differ significantly. For puppies, this is a special conversation. Therefore, you should remember the norm and understand what to do when a dog has a fever raised or lowered.

What to do when your dog has an abnormal temperature

Increased rates are always alarming, while thoughts about infectious pathology immediately arise. You should not immediately worry, because when affected by bacteria or viruses, the temperature is also accompanied by:

• diarrhea
• vomiting;
• change in the color of the mucous membranes;
• poor appetite or complete refusal to eat.

But owners do not always pay attention to a reduced temperature, combined with drowsiness, a decrease in the activity of a pet. Although this alarming symptom may indicate:

• serious violations of cardiovascular activity;
• various traumatic injuries;
• kidney failure and other conditions that are most dangerous for a dog.

All the nuances of this problem will be considered in detail in our article and we will tell, what to do, If dog has a fever different from the norm.

What is the normal temperature for dogs

If the animal is healthy, the temperature can fluctuate from 37.5 to 39. These numbers are individual., they depend on age, breed, weight, temperament, as well as on environmental conditions (heat, cold). Temperature indicators are directly dependent on metabolism - in puppies and small dogs, metabolic processes are always accelerated, therefore the temperature is higher:

• Small breeds: puppy - 38.6-39.3; adult dog - 38.5-39 degrees.
• Medium breeds: puppy - 38.3-39.1; adults - 37.5-39 degrees.
• Large breeds: puppy - 38.2-39; adult dogs - 37.4-38.3 degrees.

The age/weight of the animal are the main determinants of temperature.

The following points are also important:

• Weather - in hot weather, the dog lives in a room without air conditioning, the temperature can be 1.5 degrees higher, the pet will look for a cold corner, its activity will be reduced.
• In females, shortly before whelping, the temperature may drop by 1-1.5 degrees.
• Measuring it helps the breeder determine when this important moment begins.
• Stressful situations - it all depends on the temperament of the dog.

When a dog has a temperature, only an experienced doctor can tell what to do after examining and studying the data of the necessary tests - there can be many reasons for the increase and decrease.

How to take your dog's temperature correctly

For these purposes, they use the most common human thermometers from a pharmacy - mercury, electronic. Mercury is cheaper, but temperature measurement takes about three to five minutes, which not every animal will allow.

For the procedure the best option would be an electronic thermometer– and it is easier for you, and the dog is more comfortable. It shows the exact result in 20-30 seconds. If you are a breeder, it is recommended to have a separate device for each individual.

The process is not difficult, but if the dog is not accustomed, certain problems may arise. The first few times the procedure should be carried out with extreme caution.

You can measure the temperature without discomfort and get accurate readings like this:

• Pre-lubricate with vaseline / baby cream, and preferably with levomekol gel, the tip of the thermometer.
• Knock down the thermometer.
• Lay the dog down, carefully lifting the tail, insert the thermometer 1.5-2 cm into the anus. Ideally, if possible, lean the thermometer against the walls of the rectum.
• If a mercury thermometer is used, the procedure will take about 5 minutes, if an electronic one - no more than 50-60 seconds.
• After measurement, the thermometer is thoroughly washed, disinfected with alcohol.

Temperature can be measured in other ways:

• The thermometer is placed in the animal's mouth - this method can be used for calm, absolutely obedient pets who will not gnaw on the thermometer.
• In dogs with a thin or bare belly, temperature can be measured in the groin by wrapping the thermometer in a fold of skin and holding it there until the end of the procedure.

The environment must be calm, otherwise the dog may be very worried and break the thermometer, which is very dangerous when using mercury devices. To calm the animal, talk to him, feed him with all sorts of treats. If the thermometer indicates increased / decreased indicators without precisely defined reasons, only an experienced specialist can tell what to do at such a temperature in dogs.

Fever: benefits and harms

The temperature rises when:

1. Heat transfer is physically impossible or violated due to various reasons;
2. Special mechanisms for heat retention are included.

For the first case, a perfect example would be a dog locked up in a car with no air conditioning in hot weather. The animal overheats, gets heatstroke very quickly - at the same time, too much heat is generated in its body, which cannot be removed properly.

The second option is heat is lingered specifically to fight viruses, bacteria, various pathological substances. In this case, fever is caused by the presence of pyrogens (any substance that causes fever) in the body. Pyrogens can be:

• remnants of the vital activity of viruses / bacteria;
• destroyed tissues formed during traumatic injuries or during the decay of neoplasms;
• various substances that cause allergic manifestations.

Thus, in infectious pathologies, injuries and the presence of neoplasms, elevated temperature acts as a protective reaction. It enhances metabolic processes, as a result of which the production of interferon and antibodies is accelerated, which means that the body becomes more resistant to various pathological factors. Many pathogens lose their ability to reproduce.

There are also serious negative effects on the body of the animal:

• The brain does not receive enough nutrition - the dog is depressed, inhibited, sometimes it can lose consciousness (in severe cases).
• The gastrointestinal tract functions abnormally - the secretion of saliva / pancreatic juice decreases, less gastric juice is secreted, less bile, intestinal motility decreases.
• In the body of a dog, water-salt metabolism is disturbed, urination increases, fluid is lost due to rapid breathing. As a result - rapid dehydration, which entails a change in the composition of the blood - and, therefore, the nutrition of the brain and heart will worsen.

What to do if the dog high temperature

So, based on the foregoing, we can distinguish the following main factors that cause an increase in temperature:

• Infectious pathologies;
• Neoplasms of various origins;
• inflammation;
• Penetration of various allergens;
• metabolic disorders;
• Negative effect of heat.

The following symptoms indicate an increase in temperature:

• rapid breathing;
• violation of heart rhythms;
• general weakness;
• decreased or complete lack of appetite;
• trembling, tremor of the limbs.

With such clinical manifestations, you should immediately measure the temperature and show the animal to the veterinarian immediately (it is better to call him home). An increase in temperature pathologically affects most of the pet's organs / systems, therefore, before the arrival of a specialist, first aid measures must be taken. Especially if the indicators are more than 41 degrees:

• Should take the dog to a room where the air temperature is not higher than 18-20 degrees, while the dog should not be laid on the cold floor, drafts are also unacceptable.
• You can't force your pet to move.
• To avoid dehydration, provide free access to clean water. If the animal does not drink on its own, force water - it is more convenient to do this using a 20 cc syringe.
• Categorically force-feeding is prohibited animal.
• Do not use "human" NSAIDs(aspirin, analgin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, etc.), lowering the temperature - only an experienced specialist can calculate the correct dosage. With a mistake, the development of serious complications that threaten the health and life of the dog is possible.

When a dog has a fever, what to do, only a specialist can say for sure, based on the clinical picture and the results of the tests. The treatment regimen depends on the diagnosis.

Falling temperature is a reason to sound the alarm

Decrease in temperature (the condition is also called hypothermia) - the temperature drops below 37.5 degrees. It is observed when the process of heat transfer prevails over the process of heat production.

Causes of hypothermia can be:

• hypothermia;
• loss of strength due to unbalanced or insufficient nutrition;
• poisoning with various toxins, poisons, drugs;
• dehydration;
• intense blood loss due to injuries or prolonged surgical interventions;
• intoxication;
• endocrine pathologies of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands;
• severe heart disease.

In puppies, hypothermia happens quite often, it may not be associated with the progression of any diseases, but develop as a result of imperfection in the mechanisms of thermoregulation in a young body.

An incredibly dangerous condition for a puppy is drop in temperature with viral enteritis. This happens due to intoxication of the baby with decay products, as well as due to dehydration. Without urgent help from a doctor, the dog dies in 2-3 days.

Symptoms of a drop in temperature are as follows:

• The animal wants to lie down in a warm place, curling up.
• The wool is ruffled, thus forming an additional protection to keep warm.
• Muscle tremors are observed as a protective reaction to hypothermia, contributing to the formation of additional heat.
• The mucous membranes turn pale, become cold, the limbs are cold to the touch - all this speaks of a violation of the heart.

When a dog has a low temperature, only a specialist can determine what to do. The animal should be delivered very quickly to the veterinarian, it is better to call the doctor at home. Before the arrival of a specialist, the owner must:

• Put the dog in a warm room, covering it with a blanket, overlaying heating pads with warm water.
• Drink warm meat broth, warm milk.

Critical is the state of hypothermia with indicators below 36- this indicates that the protective forces of the animal have been exhausted. There is a loss of consciousness, a weak pulse, respiratory failure (rare superficial), a decrease in heart rate - the pulse and heart rhythms are difficult to hear. You should urgently call an ambulance veterinary help - only intensive resuscitation will help save your pet.

You don't need to take your temperature every day. This should be done only when the animal is not the same as usual, and there is a characteristic clinical picture for a particular pathology. If you suspect something is wrong, do not hesitate to visit the clinic, because many diseases are successfully treated only in the initial stages. Attentive care will help maintain the health and life of the pet for many years.

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