Your pet cannot tell you when something is wrong -- but their body can. Learning to check vital signs at home gives you a powerful early warning system.
Vital signs are the body's most basic health measurements. Veterinarians call this a TPR assessment -- Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration. Think of them as your pet's personal health dashboard. When something is wrong, these numbers are usually the first to change.
The most important thing you can do right now is learn your pet's normal numbers. Write them down. Your personal baseline is far more useful than textbook averages when something seems off later.
Taken rectally with a lubricated digital thermometer. Normal: Dogs 101-102.5F | Cats 100.5-102.5F. Above 103F = fever, call your vet. Above 104F = heat stroke emergency. Below 99F = hypothermia.
Feel the femoral artery on the inside of the upper thigh. Count 15 seconds x 4. Large dogs: 60-100 bpm | Small dogs: 100-140 bpm | Cats: 140-220 bpm. Cats naturally have fast hearts -- do not panic if it seems quick.
Count chest rises for 30 seconds x 2. Dogs: 15-30/min | Cats: 20-30/min. Open-mouth breathing in a cat is always an emergency -- go to a vet immediately.
Pink and moist = normal. Pale or white = possible shock. Blue or purple = oxygen emergency. Yellow = possible liver disease. Tacky or dry = dehydration. Press gum firmly, release -- color should return in under 2 seconds (Capillary Refill Time).
This week, check your pets vitals when they are healthy and calm. Write the numbers down. Your personal baseline is far more useful than textbook averages when something seems off later.