Jan 02 2009
Is My Dog Sick?
How Can I Tell If My Dog is Sick?
“Is My Dog Sick?”
“What’s a Dog’s Normal Temperature?”
“How Do I Check a Dog’s Gums?”
“How Can I Tell if My Dog is Sick?”
“Why is My Dog Shivering?”
Checking your pet’s nose to check for illness is an old wives tale – this tells you nothing about your pet’s health. Instead, a pet owner who suspects that his/her dog is sick should check the animal’s vitals with a quick home examination.
Start by checking gum color by lifting up the dog’s lips. Normal dog gum color ranges from a bubblegum pink to a darker salmon color.
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 high/low temperature are signs of illness in a dog. Other symptoms of a sick dog include shivering, lethargy, and often, the dog won’t eat or drink. If a dog’s gum color and temperature is off, or if your dog has stopped eating, it’s time to visit the veterinarian!
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?
