To the Rescue: How to Check Your Pet's Temperature

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  Posted by blueyedmolly Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:48pm PST

  I'm really glad that you posted the actual temperature because there have been times when I could tell that my babies wern't feeling well but I really couldn't determine if they had a temp or not. Thanks again. Oh, I'd like to share something that my mom used to tell me to check if I thought my pets had temperatures. She told me that if it was my dog then to feel it's nose. If it's nose was hot and dry then they had a temp. If it was my cat then to feel their stomach. If their tummy was exceptionally warm then they had a temp. It may not have been the scientific way of doing it but it seemed to prove true most of the time! And I have a question to anyone who might be able to answer. When your pet has a low grade fever and you give it baby tylenol or Bayer baby asprin (I know that it lowers the temp) does it hurt the pet in any way? I was just curious because this is something else that my mom had told me to do and it seemed to work. I figure that it's safe for our children so why not for our pets?

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  Posted by South Ga Dawg Tue Nov 24, 2009 8:26pm PST

  For whomever may read PetSugar's post on determining a pet's temperature: I am a veterinarian and highly discourage a pet owner from using one of these ear thermometers that they can insert into the ear canal. And sticking the Vet Temp probe in "about one inch" can cause severe damage to an animal's ear canal and/or eardrum. I'm curious if Pet Sugar has any anatomical knowlegdge of a pet's ear canal and potential differences between species and breeds? Sticking a probe into a Great Dane's ear canal about one inch may not be as dangerous; try this on a chihuahua or a toy poodle and you've gone through the dog's eardrum. Congratualtions. Dogs have an L shaped ear canal. If one were to stick a probe (either kind) into the ear canal and the dog were to move or shake its head, you can cause damage to both the external and internal ear canal. Also, ear temperatures should only be relied upon for screening an animal's temperature. If the pet has an ear infection with inflammation, you can have a false elevation in what you believe to be their body temperature. Marjo...please don't give your dog any over the counter medication without asking your veterinarian first. I'm sure your mother means well, but only your veterinarian can tell you if your dog is healthy enough to take over the counter medications. Dogs do not metabolize tylenol well in their liver, and many dogs can get sick from just one dose (it is dependent on the breed, size, dosage given, and any underlying health problems that you may not be aware of until it is too late). Baby aspirin are typically the safest over the counter anti inflammatory/fever reducer, but, again, if your dog is anemic (and you don't know it) or has a bleeding disorder, aspirin could make them much sicker or even kill your pet Giving too much aspirin can cause vomiting or even a gastric (stomach) ulcer. I understand that people want free advice...just consider the source and their knowledge base. If you don't feel like you can call your vet's office to ask a question about over the counter medications or safe ways to take your dog's temperature, find another veterinarian. There are many out there and most vets are willing to discuss this with you to keep your pet safe. Would you take your car to a seamstress if it were broken down?

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