“What’s a Dog’s Normal Temperature?”
“Is My Dog Sick?”
“How Do I Check a Dog’s Gums?”
“How Can I Tell if My Dog is Sick?”
“Why is My Dog Shivering?”
Checking if a dog’s nose is wet or cold will not tell you if your dog is sick. This is actually an old wives tale!
Instead, dog owners should perform a quick, basic physical examination of their pet to look for signs of illness in the dog.
How to Check a Dog’s Vital Signs
Start by checking the dog’s gum color by lifting up the dog’s lips. Normal gum color in dogs ranges from a bubblegum pink to a darker salmon color. Abnormal gums in a dog will appear brick red, pale white, yellow or blue/grey.
Next, take the dog’s temperature rectally. A dog’s normal temperature in a dog is between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Abnormal gum color and abnormal body temperature are symptoms of a sick dog.
A sick dog may also show other symptoms of illness, including shivering and trembling, lethargy and excessive sleeping, and refusal to eat and drink.
Should I Take My Dog to the Vet?
If a dog has abnormal gum color and the dog has a fever or abnormal body temperature, combined with other symptoms like a dog who is not eating, it’s time to visit the veterinary clinic!
For more on how to tell if a dog is sick, check out Is My Dog Sick? along with Why is My Pet Shivering and Why Isn’t My Dog Eating?
Tags: check dog’s gums, Dog Body Temperature, Dog Illness, Dog Temperature, Is My Dog Sick, Signs and Symptoms, Signs and Symptoms of a Sick Dog, Signs of a Sick Dog, Symptoms of Illness, Veterinary Clinic, Visiting the Veterinarian