Keeping a dog is a wonderful experience, but this comes with responsibilities. Seeing your friend not feeling well, but you’re not sure if she is seriously ill may unnerve you. Therefore, knowing the basic wellness measurements of your pup can help you take the necessary steps to ensure she is in good health. You can achieve this by checking your dog’s vital signs
Respiration
Just like other living organisms including humans, your dog’s respiratory rate reflects its breathing pattern. If you observe your pet struggling to breathe, you can check its respiratory rate by counting its breaths per minute. You can do this by placing your hand on your dog’s chest and counting the number of times it inhales and exhales. Each moment your dog inhales and exhales, record that as one breath.
Count the number of breaths for 30 seconds and multiply by two to get the dog’s respiratory rate per minute. For a small dog, the normal respiratory rate is between 20 and 40 per minute. However, larger dogs have a slower respiratory rate of 10 to 30 breaths per minute. If your dog is in distress, she can breathe slower or faster than her normal rate. If your pet is gasping for air, you should quickly visit a vet clinic because her life might be in danger.
Body Temperature
Knowing your dog’s normal body temperature helps you determine if she is not feeling well. You can measure your pet’s temperature using a digital thermometer even the one designed for humans. To get an accurate measurement of temperature, you should place the thermometer in the dog’s rectum. First, lubricate the device with soluble or petroleum jelly and prevent the pet from sitting.
Insert about half an inch of the thermometer into the dog’s rectum and follow the instructions on the device’s package. Just like human beings, your dog’s normal temperature must be between 100.4° F and 102.5° F (38° C-39.16° C). However, body temperatures can vary depending on different factors, but there is an acceptable range. Knowing your dog’s healthy temperature is vital for comparison.
Constant fluctuations in your dog’s body temperature can be a serious issue that requires urgent attention. For instance, if the temperature is higher or lower than normal, you need to call your veterinarian immediately so that your pet can get appropriate treatment. It is recommended that you should not take chances when you observe something fishy on your pet.
Pulse
The movement of blood in your dog’s arteries determines its pulse. The dog’s pulse and heart rate go hand in hand, and they determine the health of the pet’s heart. As the heart beats, it pushes blood in the animal’s veins. All animals including dogs have normal pulses, so you should know when your dog is not feeling well.
To check your dog’s pulse, place your two fingers on its chest on the left side to feel the heartbeat. Alternatively, you can place your fingers inside the dog’s inner upper thigh where there is a depression. Locate the Femoral artery and count the beats for 30 seconds and then multiply that by two to get the pulse rate per minute. For smaller dogs, the normal pulse rate is between 90 and 160 beats, whereas larger dogs have a pulse rate of between 65 and 90 beats per minute.
Hydration
Dehydration is a critical condition that affects all living organisms including humans and dogs. Your pet must have moisture or fluids, which must account for about 70% of its body weight for a healthy life.to check your dog’s hydration, lift its lips from the sides of the mouth to avoid causing discomfort. Sloppy wet gums show that your dog is hydrated, but sticky or dry gums indicate that your friend is dehydrated. Encourage your dog to drink more water.
In some cases, your dog might appear tired with sunken eyes, and these might be signs of serious dehydration. In this situation, you should visit a vet clinic for immediate care. This might be a sign of a serious underlying condition that you cannot detect with the naked eye.
Capillary Refill Time
Capillary refill time is used to check your dog’s circulation. You check your dog’s circulation by lifting your dog’s lip and then pressing its gum with your finger until it turns white. Release the pressure, and the rum should refill in 1 to 2 seconds. This shows that the dog’s blood carrying nutrients and oxygen can reach all body organs.
If it takes more than two seconds for your dog’s gum to return to its normal appearance, you should take her to your vet immediately. Additionally, gum color indicates good health. Normal gums are pink unless your pet has a dark pigment. White or pale gums indicate poor circulation, blood loss, or anemia, which is not good for your dog. Grey or blue gums usually show a lack of oxygen, while yellow gums are associated with zinc toxicity or liver disease. You should seek immediate veterinary care if you observe any other color apart from pink on your dog’s gums.
Understanding what is normal for your dog is crucial since this helps you determine if your companion is not feeling well. Checking your pet’s temperature, respiration, pulse, and hydration can go a long way in taking appropriate action when you suspect your dog is ill. Visit a veterinarian immediately when you observe a situation you cannot address in your dog’s health.