Dog Temperature and Health
The normal temperature of a dog is about 38.3 deg.C or 101 deg.F. The temperature may rise slightly after exercise, but in a listless dog, even a slight rise probably indicates the onset of illness. A depressed temperature is normally found in a bitch before whelping, but it can also occur as a result of shock or collapse. When this happens, it is a very serious indication of ill health.
A dog’s temperature is taken by inserting a thermometer into his rectum. A thermometer with a short, stubby bulb should be used as thermometers with long, thin bulbs designed for use in human mouths are more liable to break than stubby-bulb thermometers. Shake the thermometer until the silver column of mercury reads less than 37 deg.C or 98.5 deg.F. Lubricate the bulb with a little Vaseline. Lift the dog’s tail and insert the thermometer into the anus gently, pushing in about one-third of the thermometer’s length. Keep the thermometer in for about 1/2 to 1 minute as per the directions on the thermometer. Remove and wipe the thermometer with cotton wool and read to the top of the mercury column. Never clean a thermometer with warm water. It may shatter. If the thermometer breaks accidentally while in the dog’s rectum, do not try to pull it out. The animal will usually pass it in his next motion.