If you're not sure if your dog needs immediate veterinary help, call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic and explain the situation. It's helpful if you can provide the veterinarian with the following information:
Temperature - Using a rectal thermometer and lubricant, check your dog's temperature. The normal temperature range for dogs is between 99.5°F and 102.5°F. If your dog's temperature falls below this range, and its limbs feel cool to the touch, bring it to a veterinary clinic immediately. Likewise, if the temperature is above this range, contact a veterinarian for advice.Gums - Lift your dog's lip and examine the gum color. While dogs can have variations in pigment color, for the most part, the gums should be moist and pink - not pale white, bluish or dark red. Press your finger into the gum. The surface should blanch, and then return to a pink color. Count the number of seconds that it takes for the color to return - this is called the cappillary refill time. If it is longer than two seconds, contact your veterinarian. Remember, dogs that are stressed or in pain may bite even their owners, so be careful with your fingers around your dog's mouth.Hydration - Lift the skin at the nape of your dog's neck, then release it. Normally, the skin should return to its original position. If the skin remains "tented," your dog may be dehydrated, and needs fluid therapy. Dehydrated dogs may also have dry, tacky gums and sunken eyes.Respiration - Dogs should usually breathe 10 to 30 times a minute. Count either the number of inhilations or expirations. If your dog is breathing considerably slower or faster than this range, or if it has difficulty breathing, it's worth a trip to the veterinary clinic.Heartbeat - The best places to feel a pulse are on the inside of your dog's rear leg, or on the chest, just behind the front elbow. A normal pulse for a dog is between 60 and 180 beats per minute. Again, if your dog's pulse is exceptionally faster or slower than that, call your veterinarian.Naturally, if your dog shows any other abnormal behaviors, such as loss of consciousness,
paralysis, uneven pupil size,
extremes in aggression or lethargy, contact your veterinarian immediately.Trust your gut feeling.... if you think something is wrong....act on it.....
Karolina Koolies
