How to check your dog’s pulse, respiration and temperature

You can tell your pet isn’t feeling well, but you don’t know how to help. It’s a rotten feeling! Checking out some basic health measurements can help you figure out what’s causing your pet’s discomfort and help them feel better.

Every pet owner knows that feeling… when your dog isn’t himself, but you’re not sure if he’s seriously ill. Just learning how to check your dog’s pulse, respiration, and temperature can help you gauge his pain, injury, or illness. And that can help you decide on the right course of action to make him feel better.

Taking and recording these measurements when your dog is healthy gives you a basis for knowing when something is amiss. The difference between your dog’s normal readings and what they experience when they’re unwell can prompt you to seek professional medical help.

READ MORE What You Should Know About Emergency Veterinarians (Before You Need It)

Check your dog’s vital signs

The basic vital signs to check are the dog’s pulse, respiration, temperature, and capillary recovery time. We’ll explain what they are and how you measure each.

Respiratory

To determine your dog’s respiratory rate, simply count the number of breaths the dog takes in one minute. To determine your dog’s respiratory rate, follow these steps:

• Observe or place your hand on the dog’s chest to count the number of times the chest rises (inhales) and lowers (exhales). Each increase/decrease combination counts as one breath.
• Count breaths for 30 seconds and multiply by two to get breaths per minute.

The normal respiratory rate of small dogs is between 20 and 40 breaths per minute. Larger dogs will have a slower respiratory rate, usually between 10 and 30 breaths per minute.

Dogs in distress may breathe faster or slower than their normal rate. For example, a dog that is in pain or has a fever may pant (breathe faster than usual). And a dog with a significantly reduced respiratory rate can go into shock.

Temperature

It is not possible to accurately measure a dog’s temperature by feeling the dog’s nose or belly. To get a good measurement, you will need a digital thermometer. A human type is fine, as long as you keep the dog thermometer in a separate place from the rest of the house. You won’t want to pick one up in a hazy rush!

To check your dog’s temperature, follow these steps:

• After lubricating the digital thermometer tip with kerosene or water-soluble jelly, move the dog’s tail up and to the side to prevent the dog from sitting.
• Insert a ½”-1” thermometer into your dog’s rectum and wait for the thermometer to beep as directed.

The dog’s temperature should be between 100.4°F and 102.5°F (38°C-39.16°C). However, just like humans, dogs’ normal temperatures can vary, and even differ at different times of the day! So it’s important to know your dog’s healthy temperature for comparison.

Fluctuations in a dog’s temperature (up or down) can be severe. If your dog experiences a higher than normal or lower than normal temperature, it’s best to phone your veterinarian to discuss appropriate treatment.

READ MORE Symptoms of Fever in Dogs

Pulse

A dog’s pulse is the rhythmic movement of blood through the arteries. When the heart beats, blood flows (pulsations) through the vessels. You can measure your dog’s pulse by following these steps:

• Place the ball with two fingers (not your thumb) over the depression in your dog’s inner thigh, over the femoral artery. It can take a bit of searching around to find it the first time – don’t give up!
• For smaller pets, placing your hand on the left side of the dog’s chest just behind the elbow can also allow you to feel the heartbeat.
• Count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply by two to get your heart rate in beats per minute.

The normal heart rate of small dogs will range between 90 and 160 beats per minute. Older dogs will have a lower than normal heart rate, usually between 65 and 90 beats per minute.

Hydration

We all know that dehydration is a serious condition that affects pets as well as people. Here, we will measure the moisture in your pet’s body, about 70% of its body weight. Follow these steps to determine if your pet may be dehydrated:

• Carefully lift your dog’s lips/edges on the side of his mouth. (Raising the mouth from the front is uncomfortable for many breeds.)
• If the gums are wet, the child is well hydrated. But if a child’s gums are dry or sticky, he or she may be mildly dehydrated. Encourage him to drink.
• If your dog’s gums are dry or sticky, his eyes are sunken, his skin remains tight when lightly grabbed by the shoulder, or he’s lethargic, your pet may be severely dehydrated and needs immediate veterinary care.

READ MORE Recognizing dehydration and heat stroke in dogs

Capillary refill time (CRT)

To check your dog’s circulation, you need to determine how long it takes to refill its capillaries. This is measured by following these steps:

• Again, carefully lift your dog’s lips. Then, gently press the gum above the teeth with your fingers until the gum turns white.
• When you release the pressure, the color will return to the gums in 1-2 seconds. Capillary recovery time indicates whether the dog’s circulation is sufficient to deliver blood to the extremities.

If it takes more than 2 seconds for the color to return to your dog’s gums, your pet needs immediate veterinary care. When taking your baby to the vet, cover her with a light blanket to keep her body warm. If he’s not bleeding from the injury, you can also slightly lift his back to promote circulation to his vital organs.

Gum color is also a good indicator of overall health. Pink gums indicate a normal, healthy pet (unless the normal gums are pigmented). Pale or white gums may indicate anemia, blood loss, or poor circulation. Blue or gray gums can be a sign of a lack of oxygen. And yellow gums could be a sign of liver disease or zinc toxicity. In any of these last three cases, your pet needs immediate veterinary care.

Weight

A pet’s body weight is another important factor in determining their health. In particular, watch for sudden increases or decreases in your pet’s weight.

• For large dogs, body weight is best measured on a scale at your veterinarian’s office.
• Small dogs can be weighed on your bathroom scale. Hold your dog and record your gross weight. Then immediately put your dog down and weigh yourself. The difference between the two is the weight of your dog.

It is important to know your dog’s exact weight before administering treatment or medication. The smaller the pet, the more severe it becomes. Even losing a pound can lead to an overdose.

Unfortunately, a lot of pets are so overweight that it can be difficult to discern a dog’s healthy body shape. It may be easier for you to judge by feeling.

If your dog is at a healthy weight, you should be able to feel his ribs but not see them. (Of course, super lean breeds like Greyhounds and Ridgebacks are an exception.) When viewed from the side, your dog’s belly should be higher than his chest. And, when you look down at the dog’s back, you’ll see a small waistline. If you think your pet may be overweight, talk to your veterinarian about a healthy way to help them lose weight.

Knowing what is normal for your pet will help you identify when something is wrong. So practice checking your dog’s pulse, respiration, and temperature and monitor the results. Then, whether it’s an allergic reaction, injury, or illness, you’ll be prepared to assess your dog’s condition and help him recover quickly.

Information about the Authors: Denise Fleck has trained with 12 national animal organizations and has taught over 10,000 pet lovers lifesaving skills. She has developed courses, written nine books, and created a line of pet posters and first aid kits so people can help their pets BEFORE they can reach a pet care facility. y.

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