Rectal Temperature

ladyfreckles · 02-03-2012, 03:49 AM

Is it necessary? My vet just took his temp through the ears.

He hates it! I tried getting him used to having his tail lifted at home and every time he freaks out. I'm trying to do it slowly without any force. Any tips?

**jocoyn** · 02-03-2012, 06:51 AM

Take your time teaching - I would be doing that one when he is a bit older and is used to standing for grooming, handling his paws and all the other control kind of stuff.

Get a flexible baby digital thermometer and coat it with KY jelly (or get the sleeves but coat them too). I carry one in my pack for my working dog because it is easy to overheat a dog in SC in the summer. I think the rectal temp is more accurate, my working dog pays no notice - I can take his without an helper. I am having to work with my puppy on holding still for me, letting me mess with the paws, etc.

Even if you decide not to go with a rectal thermometer you need to be able to check out things all over the dog without him freaking. He will have to learn - I don't think they are hardwired for holding still for you.

Angelina03 · 02-03-2012, 07:01 AM

Rocco freaks out about everything when it comes to examining him. He doesn't like being handled. He also gave the vet a very hard time with the thermometer.

BlackPuppy · 02-03-2012, 08:11 AM

Oh, yea, my dogs try to sit on the thermometer before it beeps. I need to buy one of those 5 second ones.

I place one arm under the dog at the waist. And insert the thermometer with the other hand. With a lot of vasaline they are usually fine.

02-03-2012, 03:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
ladyfreckles Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,830	Rectal Temperature Is it necessary? My vet just took his temp through the ears. He hates it! I tried getting him used to having his tail lifted at home and every time he freaks out. I'm trying to do it slowly without any force. Any tips? __________________ Viking vom Zeder-Kamme (11/19/2011)

02-03-2012, 06:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
jocoyn Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 8,048	Take your time teaching - I would be doing that one when he is a bit older and is used to standing for grooming, handling his paws and all the other control kind of stuff. Get a flexible baby digital thermometer and coat it with KY jelly (or get the sleeves but coat them too). I carry one in my pack for my working dog because it is easy to overheat a dog in SC in the summer. I think the rectal temp is more accurate, my working dog pays no notice - I can take his without an helper. I am having to work with my puppy on holding still for me, letting me mess with the paws, etc. Even if you decide not to go with a rectal thermometer you need to be able to check out things all over the dog without him freaking. He will have to learn - I don't think they are hardwired for holding still for you. __________________ Nancy www.scsarda.org Grim (Grimmy Bear) & Beau (Bo-dee man) Waiting at the Bridge: Cyra, Toby, Rainbow, Linus, Oscar, Arlo & Waggles Last edited by jocoyn; 02-03-2012 at 06:54 AM.

02-03-2012, 07:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
Angelina03 Master Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 626	Rocco freaks out about everything when it comes to examining him. He doesn't like being handled. He also gave the vet a very hard time with the thermometer. __________________ Angela_______________________________ Danny (husband) ~ Samantha (daughter) ~ Rocco (GSD) Lucky (cat) ~ Beauty (cat) ~ MuMu (cat)

02-03-2012, 08:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
BlackPuppy Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,420	Oh, yea, my dogs try to sit on the thermometer before it beeps. I need to buy one of those 5 second ones. I place one arm under the dog at the waist. And insert the thermometer with the other hand. With a lot of vasaline they are usually fine.

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