Vital Signs
The best way to figure out what is abnormal for your pet is to check their vital signs under everyday circumstances and know what is normal for them. Reference ranges for the normal vital signs of dogs and cats are listed below. The instructions provided will demonstrate how to check these signs.
Ask your veterinarian or veterinary technicians for help with learning how to make these assessments if you need it.
Learning how to evaluate your pet can also help you with "ER speak", and allows you to give your pet's vitals to a veterinarian if you are trying to decide whether or not your pet needs to be seen by the doctor right away.
When in doubt, err on the side of caution and have your pet examined.
Ask your veterinarian or veterinary technicians for help with learning how to make these assessments if you need it.
Learning how to evaluate your pet can also help you with "ER speak", and allows you to give your pet's vitals to a veterinarian if you are trying to decide whether or not your pet needs to be seen by the doctor right away.
When in doubt, err on the side of caution and have your pet examined.
HEART RATE
RESPIRATORY RATE
RECTAL TEMPERATURE
MUCOUS MEMBRANE COLOR
CAPILLARY REFILL TIME
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NORMAL
Cats: 150 - 200 beats per minute
Small Dogs: 90 - 120 beats per minute Medium Dogs: 70 - 110 beats per minute Large/Giant Dogs: 60 - 90 beats per minute 10 - 30 breaths per minute.
Panting in dogs at times (up to 200/min). 100.5 F - 102.5 F
(can be up to 103 F in a heavily exercised or anxious dog) Pink Less Than 2 seconds
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ABNORMAL
Too slow or too fast.
Relaxed animals may have a slower pulse. After exercise, dogs may have a higher pulse. Cats should never breathe with an open mouth.
Below 100 F or Above 103 F
Pale, Bright Red, Grey, Bluish, Yellow
Extremely Rapid (< 1 second) or
Very Slow (> 2 seconds) |
How To Assess Your Pet's Vital Signs
Mucous Membrane Color - Mucous membranes include the gums (most commonly examined), the tissue of the inside of the eyelids, and the insides of the prepuce or vulva. Normal coloration is a healthy pink. Some pets have naturally pigmented oral mucous membranes, and must be examined in a location other than the gums. Cats normally have slightly more pale mucous membranes than dogs, so be sure to examine your cat when she is healthy to obtain a normal baseline.
- Blue/purple gums indicate a lack of oxygen being delivered to the tissues.
- Brick red gums may indicate shock.
- Pale pink or white gums indicate severe anemia or sudden blood loss.
- Yellow gums indicate liver disease.
Capillary Refill Time - When gentle pressure is applied to a mucous membrane to blanche the color from it, capillary refill time is the amount of time it takes for the color to return. Between 1 - 2 seconds is normal. A longer CRT indicates that the heart is not able to return blood to the tissues appropriately.
Heart Rate - Can be determined by listening with a stethoscope or checking the pulse.
-To listen to the heart with a stethoscope, place the head of the stethoscope on the left side of the chest. When the left front leg is flexed close to the body and back slightly, the point of the elbow should lie against the chest and fall approximately over the heart. In very large dogs with a deep chest, it may be difficult to hear the heart. To prevent panting in a dog, it may be necessary to gently close the mouth to allow you to listen to the heart. NEVER do this if the dog appears in pain, in distress, or is having any difficulty breathing.
-The heart rate can be determined by feeling the chest directly over the heart with your hand.
-The pulse can be most easily felt in the inside of the hind leg, close to the body wall.
-To listen to the heart with a stethoscope, place the head of the stethoscope on the left side of the chest. When the left front leg is flexed close to the body and back slightly, the point of the elbow should lie against the chest and fall approximately over the heart. In very large dogs with a deep chest, it may be difficult to hear the heart. To prevent panting in a dog, it may be necessary to gently close the mouth to allow you to listen to the heart. NEVER do this if the dog appears in pain, in distress, or is having any difficulty breathing.
-The heart rate can be determined by feeling the chest directly over the heart with your hand.
-The pulse can be most easily felt in the inside of the hind leg, close to the body wall.
Heart Rhythm - In both cats and dogs, the sounds heard should be "lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub". A "whoosh" sound indicates a cardiac murmur, and may be significant. "Extra" heart sounds or an irregular rhythm not associated with breathing should be noted (eg, like a galloping horse or like sneakers in a dryer!). Normal, healthy dogs may have what is called a 'normal (respiratory) sinus arrhythmia' - this means that the heart rate increases when the dog inhales and slows when the dog exhales. This does not signify a problem.
Respiratory Rate - In both dogs and cats, a resting respiratory rate should be between 12-40 breaths per minute. Obviously, dogs sometimes pant. Cats, however, should never breathe with an open mouth or pant.
Respiratory Effort - A normal breath should be very smooth, and your pet's chest can be observed to gently rise and fall. There should be very little abdominal movement with normal breathing. Note if your pet is having difficulty inhaling, inhales in a "jerky" manner (with several quick inhalations per each exhalation), or notable abdominal movements associated with breathing.
Rectal Temperature - A digital rectal thermometer can be inexpensively purchased at a local drugstore. Most take readings from about 91 F - 108 F. Apply a bit of lubricant (Vaseline, KY jelly) to the thermometer before gently inserting it into your pet's rectum. Normal temperatures fall between 100 F and 102.5 F. Temperatures below 99 F and above 103 F are of concern. Temperatures 98 F or lower in a cat often accompany multiple organ failure and precede death.
Hydration - Feel your pet's gums. If the gums feel tacky and dry rather than moist, dehydration can be estimated at 3-5%. A less sensitive way of determining the hydration status of your pet is the "skin tent" test. When the skin is pinched between the fingers and raised away from the body, it should rapidly return into place. If there is a delay, dehydration is between 6 - 8%. If it remains in a "tent" position, severe dehydration is present (8-10%). Note: This method is very subjective, and must be interpreted in light of skin elasticity. Older pets (just like people) have decreased elasticity in their skin. One additional method of assessing hydration is more subjective and involves observing the eyes for a dull or sunken appearance; this is present with severe dehydration.