How To Take Your Pet's Temperature

Take your pet's temperature We take pets’ temperatures to tell if they have a fever, which often indicates an infection. While some veterinarians use a special thermometer that reads the temperature from the ear drum, most pet owners rely on old-fashioned thermometers placed in the rectum. Taking temperatures in the mouth, armpit, and rectum With old-fashioned and digital thermometers we have the option of taking the temperature in the mouth, armpit (axilla), or rectum. Why do we choose the rectum in pets? Mouth: thermometer can be bitten and swallowed. Armpit: hair prevents accurate measure of body heat, and hollows in the armpit make it difficult to keep the thermometer next to the skin. Rectum: accurate reflection of core body temperature.

Normal rectal temperature

Why take the temperature?

• infection
• hyperthermia from exercise in the heat or from being in a car
• hypothermia from shock or drowning
• impending birth (the temperature drops about 24 hours prior to delivery.)

Equipment Used To Take Your Pet's Temperature:

Thermometer

Rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol doesn’t kill bacterial spores, such as clostridial spores, which may be present in feces. Nor does alcohol kill all viruses. For example, parvovirus that affects dogs (but not cats) is not killed by alcohol. If you suspect a pet has parvovirus, use bleach to clean the thermometer. Finally, alcohol doesn’t disinfect through clumps of fecal matter, so wipe the thermometer clean before putting it in alcohol.

Plastic sleeve to cover thermometer

Treats

How to take a Rectal Temperature

• Ideally work with two people when taking rectal temperature. One of whom keeps the pet happily focused while the other takes the rectal temp. If taking the temp alone, get your pet focused on a treat.
• Prepare the thermometer by shaking it or putting it in cool water so the reading is lower than you expect the pet’s temperature to be. Apply lubrication.
• Have your pet lying on its side if you think it might sit down on the thermometer. Gently move the tail to one side. It hurts many pets if their tails are jerked or held straight up. Visualize the anus.
• Insert the rectal thermometer to a depth approximately equal to the size of your pet’s foot. For a tiny pet, insert about an inch. For a large pet, insert about 3 inches. The tip should rest along the side of the rectum rather than be inserted into a fecal ball. (For more about rectal anatomy, see Anal Sacs.)
• Wait 3 minutes for an old-fashioned glass thermometer to obtain an accurate temp. For digital thermometers, wait until they beep or signal that the temperature has stopped climbing.
• Remove the thermometer and praise your pet.

Practice taking rectal temperature so that you’re familiar with your pet’s baseline temperature and so that the technique is second nature in case of emergency.

Cleaning a rectal thermometer after taking rectal temperature

Wash your hands with soap and water.

Why the reading may be inaccurate

• not touching rectal skin but was inserted in a clump of feces. The temp will be inaccurately low.
• removed before temperature had equilibrated to that of the pet. The temp will read either too high or too low.
• not shaken down before being used. The temp will be too high.
• low on battery power.

When to contact your veterinarian
If the temperature is more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit lower or higher than normal, contact the veterinary clinic. For tips on lowering a temperature in a pet that’s overheated, see Heatstroke.

If the thermometer breaks within your pet, contact the veterinary clinic immediately.

The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians   1 Date Category Topic

 

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