Do You Know? Do You Have?

Do you know what a dog's normal temperature should be???? Lately I've come across more dog owners that do not. Do you have a thermometer just for taking your dog's temperature ... bet you don't!

It's a cheap way of knowing some of the 1st signs if your dog is not well and it should be one of the tools you have in your First Aid Kit for your dog. A temperature too high, signs of infection, somewhere, too low your dog may be going into shock, be dehydrated ... low temperature usually means the dog's body is trying to keep the vital organs safe & warm for some reason.

So what is normal? It's 101.5 F or 38.6C. Too high starts around 102.5 F or 39.1 C. On the low side 100.5 or 38.0 C. Both these high and lows are usually seen when the dog is exhibiting other signs.

If you don't have a thermometer just for your dog, I strongly suggest if you're reading this you consider a stop at a drug store in the near future. You can pick simple ones up for $10.00 - $12.00. I personally like the digital beep ones with the soft tips

Just as of today (which is prompting me to write this), one family has visited 6 different drug stores and none can be found! Why? the stores can't keep them in stock with the H1N1 flu we are experiencing!

How do you take their temperature ? ... it's done rectally just as you would with a young child.

Now that you know ... go and practise too. Find out over several weeks what your dog's normal temperature is.