In order to find out the health problems of your pet in time, you need to know what temperature the dog is considered normal, since its rate is considered the key to proper development and physical activity. It is worth noting that there is no universal value for all four-cheeked friends, as in humans (36.6 ° C).
What is the temperature of a healthy dog?
The conducted studies have established that the body temperature in animals depends on the breed, size, age, physical activity and other nuances. For example, if you measure in the morning and evening time, then the thermometer may differ. On small deviations to pay attention does not build, but if the body temperature of the dog has risen or dropped a couple of degrees, then this can already indicate health problems. It is important to pay attention to the appearance of other symptoms.
For those who are interested in what temperature the dog is considered normal, it is worth pointing out the following range: 37.5-39.3 ° C. If a person sweats for thermoregulation, then the animal is deprived of this opportunity, so he often has to breathe with his mouth open. Increase the normal temperature can even because of the stress experienced by the pet or other vivid emotions. All this is important to take into account in vain not to panic.
Normal temperature in dogs of small breeds
If we compare the representatives of large and small breeds, then in the work of their organism there are some distinguishing. To a greater extent, this applies to metabolic processes, which take place at a high rate in the latter. This directly affects the temperature. This pattern applies to puppies, if they are compared with older animals. As to what temperature in dogs of small breeds, the value 38,5-39 ° С (for puppies 38,6-39,3 ° С) is normal.
Normal temperature in medium dogs
With increasing body weight, the temperature will also decrease slightly. Another important nuance that owners of four-prongs should know is that even within a single age and breed, slight variations in the average parameters may appear, which is due to the individual characteristics of the particular animal. For those who are interested in what body temperature is normal in a medium-sized dog, the following indicators should be considered: 37.5-39 ° C (for puppies 38.3-39.1 ° C).
Normal temperature in dogs of large breeds
The coldest among all the sizes of animals are representatives of large breeds, which do not have such an active metabolism and in comparison with the kids do not have such frequent heartbeats. Normal is the temperature of a healthy dog, which is 37.4-38.3 ° C (for puppies 38.2-39 ° C). All the nuances concerning the possible changes in indicators, mentioned earlier, are also relevant for large breeds.
What is the temperature of a pregnant dog?
When the animal is in position, various changes take place in its body, for example, it concerns the hormonal background. The new condition of the pet is also reflected on 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 is the normal body temperature in dogs, so veterinarians recommend that all pet owners from time to time make changes to know the values of a healthy pet.
What is the temperature of the dog before giving birth?
One of the harbingers that puppies will appear in the near future is a decrease in temperature by about 1 ° C, but in some cases a fall of 1.5 ° C is also possible. It should be noted that specialists recorded cases when such changes are observed two days before the birth of babies. The temperature of the dog before giving birth should be measured twice: in the morning and in the evening, in order to be able to control the situation.
Dangerous is the situation where, instead of decreasing, there is an increase in indicators even by 0.5-1 ° C. This can indicate problems with the fetus or inflammation, so it's better to contact the veterinarian right away. Finding out what the temperature of the dog is normal, it is worth noting that during the birth itself, the temperature rises to normal. This occurs during the passage of amniotic fluid.
Temperature in the dog after childbirth
After the puppies were born, there should not be a prolonged bleeding, and excretion, according to the norm, without an unpleasant odor. It is important to know what body temperature in dogs is at this time, so the value rises and is about 39.5 ° C. Take care that the indicators do not rise to 40 ° C or higher. If the heat is still observed, urgently consult a doctor, as this can be dangerous for the life of the newly made mother.
Low dog temperature
A problem for the health of the animal may be hypothermia, in which the value on the thermometer will be below 37.5 ° C. Low temperature in the dog is due to banal hypothermia, as a result of surgery, after a long anesthesia, because of thyroid gland diseases, heart problems and so on. There are three forms of hypothermia:
- Light - up to 32 ° С. Symptoms include drowsiness, trembling and weakness. It is necessary to warm the animal, using a blanket and a heating pad, and to give warm water. It is recommended to monitor the temperature every 15 minutes.
- Moderate - up to 28 ° С. There is a decrease in the heart rate, weakness in the muscles and arterial hypotension. You should warm the body using warming pads or a heater.
- Deep - below 28 ° С. Violated the work of the cardiovascular and respiratory system. A dog can fall into a coma.
Elevated temperature in dogs
There are a number of reasons that can trigger a fever in an animal:
- If the pet has experienced severe stress, then for a short period of time he may have a fever, for example, after moving. Knowing what temperature in dogs is considered normal, the indices in such a situation will differ no more than 2 ° С.
- When an infection settles in the body, the body begins to fight it, which leads to heat.
- In hot weather, the cause of the ailment is often hidden in the body overheating. In this case it is useful to know what to do if the dog has a temperature, since 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.
- Different inflammations, tumors and even external damage can cause heat, so it is important for the diagnosis to pay attention to other symptoms and consult a doctor to have an examination.
What to give the dog from the temperature?
If the opportunity to take the animal to the clinic or to invite the veterinarian home, no, then you need to help the pet on their own. There are a number of recommendations on how to knock down the temperature of a dog at home.
- Take ice cubes, wrap them in cloth and put them on the neck and inside of the thighs. You can take a wet towel and cover it with an animal. It is not recommended to intentionally wet the wool, as this will disrupt the thermoregulation. It is important to consider that at high temperatures the pet needs to drink, otherwise dehydration may occur.
- It is recommended to ventilate the room where the sick dog is. In summer, you can use the air conditioner for cooling.
- If you know what temperature the dog is 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 cause damage to the pet. You can use analgin, nurofen or paracetamol. Puppies should be given children's funds. Note that the tablet only lowers the temperature, and you can cope with the cause of the ailment. Turning to the veterinarian.
How to measure the temperature of a dog?
For the measurement, you need 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 the measurements. It is better to learn from an early age what temperature in dogs is considered the norm, and the pet should be taught to conduct the procedure in order to avoid aggressive behavior in the future. For an animal it is necessary to allocate a separate thermometer. There is an instruction how to measure the temperature of a dog at home:
- 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 it is calm, otherwise it will not work.
- Raise the tail and rotate the movements, enter the thermometer into the anus by about 1.5-2 cm, do not need it deeper. If the measurement is carried out in a standing position, so that it does not sit, hold it tightly by the root of the tail.
- During the procedure, praise and talk with the pet to calm him down. After the sound signal, it is recommended to wait another half a minute, and then it is already possible to take out the thermometer. Do not forget to praise and give a treat.
How to determine the temperature of a dog without a thermometer?
There are several ways how to understand that the animal has a fever, but it is important to note that they are not reliable, but only provide a basis for further diagnosis.
- On the paws and ears there is an increased outflow of blood, so when the temperature increases, these parts of the body become hot by touch. You need to touch them with the back of your hand or your cheek.
- Finding out how to determine the temperature of a dog, it is worth remembering and another way - feeling the area of the groin and axillae. Here there are lymph nodes that increase in size, if the body has an infection or disease. Even in these places, the temperature increases.
- Many even children know that the condition of the animal can be determined by its nose, if it has become dry and hot, then there are problems.
- Experts recommend to look at the pet in the mouth and assess the condition of the gums. If everything is normal, then they will be pink and wet. Any changes can be considered a signal about problems.