Does Your Pet Need Veterinary Care?
NORMAL RANGES FOR TEMPERATURE, HEART RATE, AND RESPIRATORY RATE FOR HEALTHY CATS AND DOGS
Temperature (rectal): 100-102.5 Fahrenheit Heart rate (at rest):
Large dogs 80-100 beats/minute
Medium dogs 100-120 beats/minute
Small dogs and cats 120-180 beats/minute Respiratory rate (at rest): 1626 breaths/minute
This information sheet is designed to help non-veterinary shelter staff evaluate the health of cats and dogs. Its not a comprehensive guide and will not give you all the answers, but it lists the more common signs of health and illness in dogs and cats. Also, its not meant to replace veterinary care or advice, but only to help you decide if a cat or dog may need veterinary assistance.
The best way to evaluate the general health of a cat or dog is to give the animal a thorough nose-to-tail examination. Ask a friendly veterinarian or vet tech from your community to come to your shelter and train you and other staff. Then establish your own routine, and thoroughly and methodically examine each animal using the same series of steps each time. That way, you wont overlook some of the more subtle yet often serious health conditions often missed with a quick once-over. Dogs and especially cats can hide illnesses or other ailments, so try not to let them fool you!
Use the checklist at left when evaluating animals after they first come in to the shelter. And don’t forget to observe animals for signs of health problems during their entire stay such as when you’re cleaning or just giving the animals a little TLC. To make sure staff observations are recorded systematically, your shelter may wish to develop a health report card that accompanies the animal during his or her stay at the facility.
| EYES | EARS | MOUTH |
|
GOOD SIGNS clean clear and bright responsive to visual stimuli WARNING SIGNS watery red filmy cloudy discolored dry inflamed (swollen) hypersensitive to light pupils are unequal in size pupils are overly dilated or overly constricted showing third (or middle) eyelid showing discharge itchy (animal rubs at eyes) painful (animal squints) |
GOOD SIGNS clean (both outer ear and canal) pink and clean (inner ear) responsive to noise WARNING SIGNS showing discharge (waxy or other) crusty red or inflamed (canal is swollen/thickened) hair around ear is matted scabbed fly-bitten itchy (animal scratches ear or shakes head) foul odor painful (animal cries when ear is touched) NOSE GOOD SIGNS clean free of discharge WARNING SIGNS scabbed showing discharge (clear, mucous, blood, or pus) crusty cracked congested or blocked |
GOOD SIGNS free of odor
teeth are clean gums are pink gums have good capillary refill time (pink gum color returns within 1-2 seconds after being pressed with finger) animal appears to swallow normally WARNING SIGNS unusually red or pale dry salivating (animal is drooling) foul odor not caused by food foreign bodies showing discharge swollen or inflamed gums are pale, white, purple, or inflamed teeth are loose, pitted, broken, or tartar-covered animal has trouble swallowing |
| BREATHING/ RESPIRATIO | LEGS/FEET | GENERAL APPEARANCE |
|
GOOD SIGNS respiration is regular
respiration sounds clear respiration rate is normal WARNING SIGNS breathing is irregular, rapid, shallow, or labored animal is sneezing, coughing, wheezing moist lung sounds breathing is through open mouth SKIN/HAIR GOOD SIGNS coat is bright, and glossy coat appears well-groomed skin is clean, free of oil skin is free of swelling, lumps, and lesions WARNING SIGNS coat is dull coat is oily, dirty coat shows areas of hair loss or thinning hair is matted skin is dry or flaky skin shows swelling, lumps, or lesions skin is scabbed skin is red, irritated animal has fleas, ticks, lice, or other |
GOOD SIGNS legs support weight evenly (no limp)
pads are clean and smooth nails are healthy-looking WARNING SIGNS animal favors one leg (limps) animal has limited motion animal is weak or uncoordinated joint feels tender pads are cracked or hard pads have matted hair between them nails are long, short, or ingrown legs show swelling, lumps, or lesions ANAL/GENITAL GOOD SIGNS area is clean and free of discharge stool is normal WARNING SIGNS area has discharge stool is watery or bloody animal is constipated area around anus shows swelling or lumps one or both testicles are not descended (not in scrotum) one testicle is harder and/or larger than other |
GOOD SIGNS animal is bright, alert, and responsive (BAR)
skin is elastic (springs back immediately after being raised) animal is balanced, coordinated temperature is normal animal is interested in surroundings, oriented WARNING SIGNS animal is very thin or obese animal has wounds or abscesses animal has swelling, lumps, or bumps animal appears to have umbilical hernia mammary glands are swollen or oozing discharge skin does not spring back (animal is dehydrated) animal appears uncoordinated animal tilts head animal repeatedly circles abdomen is bloated temperature is abnormal animal appears lethargic animal appears hyperactive animal appears disoriented |