Animal Temperature
Internal temperature - This is the measurement of the heat of the blood by a clinical thermometer. Usually, the temperature is read either in (Fahrenheit) or ‘C’ (Centigrade or Celsius) scale. In veterinary practice, the temperature is usually taken per rectum.
The bulb of the thermometer should be lubricated and inserted into the rectum where it is left for 1 to 2 minutes. The measurement is only likely to be correct if the anus is closely contracted. If the anus is loose and flaccid, the temperature recorded is slightly lower than that of blood.
In the warm blooded animals, the temperature is remarkably constant for individuals, but there are certain variations during the days or in species even tinder normal conditions in healthy individuals; the temperature does not vary more than 1° F to 1.5° F within 24 hours. The tempera-true is higher in evening than in the morning, after meals, during exercise and rumination. It may also be slightly higher in animals during pregnancy, parturition and lactation.
|
Horse |
37– 38.3 ° C |
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Cattle |
37.8 – 39.2 ° C |
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Sheep & Goat |
38.3 – 40 ° C |
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Pig (Adult) |
38.3 – 38.9 ° C |
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Do (Young) |
38.9 – 40 ° C |
|
Dog and Cat |
37.8 – 38.9 ° C |
|
Fowl |
41.8 |
Pyrexia:
Also called fever, rise of temperature.
Hyperpyrexia—in excessively high temperature or fever.
Collapse Temperature—in which temperature falls to a degree which is much lower than normal and indicated at the approach of death.
External Temperature:
Refers to the heat of the skin over the body and is taken by manual examination of all the extremities, ears, horns, extremities of limbs, surface of body, muzzle of the dogs or cattle. The external temperature is largely maintained by the distribution of heat through the circulation. It depends on the amount of blood passing through the part of the body examined and it indicates the condition of circulation.
The external temperature of the parts varies in specific fevers, in acute affections and specially those affected with congestion of the internal organs. The muzzles of dogs, cats and cattle are cold and moist in health, hot and dry in fevers.
The extremities are cold and of uneven tem-premature at the onset of fevers, in collapse and in Milk fever and from exposure to cold and wet.