How do you check a dog’s breathing? Get Your Pet Thinking

Tips for Monitoring Your Pet’s Respiratory Rate

A resting respiratory rate is the number of times your pet takes a complete breath (in and out) within a 60 second period while at rest or sleeping (as opposed to when active, playing or dreaming). Respiratory rates should be monitored in pets with significant heart disease and a risk of developing congestive heart failure (fluid in or around the lungs).

This type of monitoring helps to catch the earliest signs of congestive heart failure before the condition develops into an emergency situation potentially requiring hospitalization and oxygen therapy.

What is Unhealthy Dog Skin Like?

A healthy dog’s fur should appear smooth and shiny, with minimal odor, while their skin should be soft and clear without flakes, bumps, or signs of grease. Here are some signs that your dog may have problems with their skin:

Sparse or patchy haircoat: this can indicate underlying endocrine diseases such as Cushing’s disease.

Lumps and bumps, which can be normal or abnormal: many older dogs can develop accumulations of fatty tissue known as lipomas; in order to differentiate these benign masses from cancerous ones, an aspirate can be performed (collection of cells with a small needle); this simple and quick procedure can help your veterinarian determine the nature of the lump and help you decide if further tests or treatment are needed.

Open sores or wounds or any ulcerated area of skin.

Foul or rancid odor: this can indicate a bacterial or yeast infection in the skin.

How to Take Your Dog’s Heart Rate

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and so do their hearts — and those heart rates vary a great deal. That’s why it’s important for you to become familiar with what’s normal for your pet so you’ll know in, well, a heartbeat when a reading is wrong. You’ll need a watch with a second hand, a stopwatch or … your smartphone! Feel your dog’s heartbeat with one hand over his left side, just behind his front leg. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply by four to get the heart rate in beats per minute (bpm).

Small dogs, puppies and dogs who are out of shape will have faster heartbearts, and large dogs and those in good physical condition will have slower rates. “Normal” ranges from 60 to 140 beats per minute in a resting dog — 60 to 100 in big dogs and 100 to 140 in little ones. While you can check the rate with your hand over the heart, you can also take a pulse by gently feeling the beat near the inside top of your dogs hind leg. The heart rate will be the same both places, so do whichever is easier for you and your dog. Because normal varies so much, it’s difficult to assess abnormal without a baseline, so take your dogs heart rate a few times and make notes. If you’re concerned about what youre finding, discuss your results with your veterinarian.

How to measure your dog’s breathing rate.

I truly believe that working with your dogs veterinarian is the best way to keep your pet healthy, and the basis of that relationship is regular wellness checks. But I also believe in the value of being a well-informed and educated pet parent. Youre the “Dr. Mom” or “Dr. Dad” for your pet: the first line of attack against disease.

Do you have the information you need to properly advocate for your pet? Do you know how to take your dog’s temperature and check his heart rate and respiratory rate? Do you know how to assess whats normal for each of those things? Dont worry if the answer is no; the good news is that it’s pretty easy to learn. Here’s what you need to know.