When our pets are not feeling well, they cannot tell us what is wrong and why they may be in pain. In this video, Dr. Adrianne Mulligan talks about how to read the vital signs of a dog before calling the veterinarian.
She also debunks some myths about how to tell if a dog is healthy or not. She mentions that heart rate, temperature and respiratory rate are three very important things to monitor if you are concerned for your pet’s health.
Some of the tips she discusses are:
1. Checking the color and wetness of a dog’s gums. If the gums are a nice pink color they are okay. But if they are too red, too dark, too blue, or too white they your dog is in serious trouble. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with your dog’s normal gum color because every dog is a bit different and it will be easier for you to tell if there is a problem in the future.
2. Checking your dog’s pulse. You can check a dog’s pulse by placing your fingers (not your thumb) on the side of your dog’s chest and pressing your fingers against the ribs. A good place is near the elbow joint. A second place to find the pulse is high up on the inner side of the thigh (where the femoral artery is).
3. Checking your dog’s temperature. Using a rectal thermometer you can measure your dog’s temperature. It may be helpful to have someone assist you in doing this.
Of course if you have serious concerns about your pet’s health, consult your veterinarian.
These are useful tips for every pet-owner! Please share this information with your friends and family!
Here are some other useful first-aid tips in case of emergency: how to do CPR on dogs and cats and how to perform the heimlich maneuver for dogs.
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