Learning topic: Check animal health
Vital signs
The normal biological data and cardinal
signs
The table below shows the normal biological data and cardinal signs of dogs
and cats:
Values
Cats
Dogs
Body temperature
38 to 39.5 degrees
Centigrade
38.3 to 39.3 degrees
Centigrade
Heart rate
110 to 180 beats per minute
60 to 180 beats per minute
Pulse rate
110 to 180 beats per minute
60 to 180 beats per minute
Respiratory rate
20 to 40 breaths per minute
10 to 40 breaths per minute
Mucous membrane colour
pink
pink
Capillary refill time
1 second
1 second
Body weight—depends on
breed
2.5 to 8kg
2 to 90kg
Age at puberty
5 to 8 months
5 to 18 months
Life span
10 to 16 years
10 to 20 years
Gestation period
63 to 67 days (65 days)
58 to 67 days (63 days)
TPR = Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
Taking an animal’s temperature
An animal’s temperature is usually taken rectally. Follow these steps:
1. The animal must be restrained firmly. If necessary, get an assistant.
2. Ensure that the thermometer indicates zero before you begin.
3. Lubricate the bulb of the thermometer with lubricating jelly.
4. Gently insert the thermometer into the rectum with gentle rotations.
5. Do not force entry.
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6. Retain in the rectum for a minimum of sixty seconds.
7. Gently remove and wipe faeces from the end.
8. Read immediately and record finding.
How do I locate the pulse on an animal?
The pulse can be taken at any point on the body where a major artery runs
close to the body surface. Each pulsation corresponds with a contraction of
the left ventricle of the heart.
Follow these steps to take the pulse rate:
1.
Restrain the patient.
2.
Ensure that the patient is relaxed and still.
3.
Using the tips of your fingers, apply them directly on the femoral artery
located on the middle of the inside of the upper hind leg.
4.
Count the rate of pumps over 15 secs x 4 to get rate/minute.
Note: If there is a difference between the pulse rate and the heart rate, there
is a serious circulatory problem and immediate professional help must be
sought.
Taking the respiration rate
When taking the respiration rate of an animal:

observe the depth and regularity of breathing

count the number of expirations for a period of 60 seconds.
The TPR will be affected by environmental factors such as:

excitement

exercise

ambient temperature
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Learning topic: Check animal health

stress.
The TPR should be re-assessed when the animal is quiet and rested.
Recognising pain in animals
It is very helpful to be able to recognise signs of pain in animals. Being able
to recognise signs of pain will assist you in identifying when an animal may
be injured or unwell. Animals in pain usually display abnormal behaviour.
Animal
Symptoms of pain
Dogs
 appear quieter and less alert
 move stiffly or refuse to move
 lie still or adopt an abnormal posture to
minimise its discomfort
 refuse to eat
 shiver or pant
 whimper or howl, especially if
unattended
 growl without apparent provocation
 may bite, scratch, lick or chew at painful
regions
 when handled, be abnormally
apprehensive or aggressive
Cats in pain may
 be quiet and withdrawn
 refuse food
 hide or separate itself from other cats
 react aggressively when a painful area is
touched
 lick at an area of localised pain
Horses in pain may
 bite
 kick
 roll
 sweat
 refuse to eat
 refuse to move
 be lame
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Look at the photos of the animals below. What is the animal doing that
indicates that it may be in pain?
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