Assessing health

NORMAL DOG PARAMETERS

Assessing your dog’s well-being and health status involves knowledge of the normal parameters of their vital signs. If you know your dog’s normal vital signs, you can quickly spot when something is amiss and contact your vet much sooner.

Of course, one needs to keep in mind that the figures given here are approximate and do not apply to every dog in every situation. If you have concerns regarding your dog, you should consult your vet for advice.

TEMPERATURE

A normal temperature for a dog is between 38.3°C to 38.7°C. You should have a digital thermometer in your canine first aid kit for whenever you need to check the rectal temperature.

TEMPERATURE ABNORMALITIES INCLUDE:

• Pyrexia: This is a raised temperature caused by infection

• Hyperthermia: This is a raised temperature often as a result of heatstroke

• Hypothermia: This is a lower than normal temperature

• A diphasic temperature: This fluctuating temperature is caused by distemper and other neurological conditions.

PULSE

The normal pulse rate for a dog varies according to size:

• Small dog: 100 beats per minute

• Medium dog: 80 beats per minute

• Large/giant dog: 50 beats per minute

The best place to take a pulse rate is from the femoral artery, which is found on the inside of either back leg in the mid-thigh region, or from the heartbeat itself which is found just behind the elbow.

TOP TIP

When taking a pulse rate, count how many beats you can feel in 15 seconds and multiply this by 4 to get the beats per minute rate. This avoids having to keep your dog still for the full 60 seconds!

PULSE ABNORMALITIES INCLUDE:

• A high rate

• A low rate

• A weak pulse

• An irregular pulse

RESPIRATION RATE

The normal respiration rate for a dog is between 10 to 30 breaths per minute.

RESPIRATORY RATE ABNORMALITIES INCLUDE:

• Tachypnoea: This is where the breathing rate is raised.

• Bradypnoea: This is where the breathing rate is lowered.

• Dyspnoea: This is where the dog is experiencing breathing difficulty.

MUCOUS MEMBRANE COLOURS

Very pale mucous membranes must prompt a call to your vet.

Discolouration of the mucous membranes (gums) can be caused by a lack of oxygen, blood flow abnormalities or dehydration. The gums can also feel ‘tacky’, meaning they are dry and sticky, where they should be moist like the inside of our own mouths. Another sign to look out for on the gums is capillary refill time. To assess this, you press gently on the gums until they lose colour and then remove your finger. The blood should have fully returned to the area within 1-2 seconds in a healthy dog.

If you notice any change in your dog’s gums, whether in their colour, texture or capillary refill time, contact your vet immediately.

MUCOUS MEMBRANE ABNORMALITIES INCLUDE

• Pale gums can be caused by a loss of blood, whether due to anaemia, internal bleeding or perfusion problems.

• Blue to red-purple gums are a sign of cyanosis, which is caused by a lack of oxygen. This is most commonly seen on the tongue.

• Yellow gums are a sign of liver issues and jaundice.

If you notice any change in your dog’s gums, you must contact your vet.