FAQ for Dog
Know Whats Normal Dog
Breathing Rate
How can i determine my dog's breathing rate?
- Watch your dog and count the number of times the chest rises and falls in one minute.
- Normal breathing rate(not breed/size specific): 10-30 breaths per minute, up to 200 pants per minute (breathing with mouth open and tongue out).
How can i check my dog capillary refill time?
- Press on the gums and observe how soon gums return to there normal pink color.
- Normal capillary refill times 1 to 2 seconds
Dehydration
How can i determine if my dog is dehydrated?
- Pull up on the skin between the shoulder blades and it should spring right back, if it stays tented this is a sign of dehydration.
Heart rate
How can i determine my dog's heart rate?
You can feel your dog's heartbeat at the point where the left elbow touches the chest (about the fifth rib). Lay your dog down on her right side and place your hand over this area to feel and count heartbeat.
Normal rate:
- Puppy (less then 1yr old) - 120-160 beats per min.
- Small/miniature/toy breed(30 lbs. or less) - 100-140 beats per minute
- Medium to large breed (30 lbs. or greater) - 60-100 beats per minute
Pulse rate
How can i check my dog's pulse rate?
You can feel your dog's pulse by lightly touching your middle and index fingers to the inner thigh - Lay your dog down, gently lift her upper hind leg away from the lower hind leg, please your two fingers as high up as possible on the inside of either leg, just where the let meets the body wall, feel for a recess in the middle of the leg approximately half way between the front and back; this recess is where the blood vessels run and where you will find the pulse.
Normal rate:
- Puppy (less then 1yr old) - 120-160 beats per min.
- Small/miniature/toy breed(30 lbs. or less) - 100-140 beats per minute
- Medium to large breed (30 lbs. or greater) - 60-100 beats per minute
Mucus membrane color
How can check the mucous membranes?
Pulse rate How can I check my dog's pulse rate? Mucus membrane color How can check the mucous membranes? To check the color of the mucous membranes, lift your dog's upper or lower lip and observe the color of his gums or inner lip.
- Normal color should be pink.
Temperature
How can I take my dog's temperature?
Use a digital thermometer. Lubricate the thermometer with a water-based lubricant or petroleum jelly. Insert the tip into the rectum (just beneath the tail). When the thermometer beeps, remove it and read the number.
- Normal body temperature for a dog is 99.5-102.5 F.
Copyright © 2022 Happy Pet Veterinary Clinics. All rights reserved.