How to Take a Great Dane's Temperature

When your Great Dane isn't feeling well, it's often difficult to decide if you need to make a trip to the vet, which is not a simple task considering the breed's size. One way to determine if your Dane needs professional care is to check its temperature. A Great Dane's normal temperature range is between 100.5 Fahrenheit and 102.5 Fahrenheit. When your Dane's temperature is outside of the normal parameters, a veterinarian visit is suggested. If your dog's temperature is below 99 degrees or above 104 degrees, don't wait to see the vet because these temperatures indicate a serious health problem.

Things You'll Need

  • Rectal thermometer
  • Alcohol
  • Tissue
  • Lubricating jelly
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean the thermometer with alcohol and tissue. Incidentally, any rectal thermometer will work; it is not necessary to get a special thermometer for dogs, although you may want to mark it as your Dane's thermometer and not your own.

    • 2

      Put a little lubricating jelly on the tip of the thermometer. You would not like to have your temperature taken rectally without lubricant and neither will your Great Dane.

    • 3

      Lift your Dane's tail, then slowly insert the thermometer to a depth between 2 and 3 inches. Since this breed is so large, you may need to enlist the help of another person to keep your Great Dane still while you are doing this. If you are using a mercury thermometer, allow it to stay in position for two minutes. If you have a digital thermometer, wait until it beeps to remove it.

    • 4

      Remove the thermometer gently and read the temperature results. You may wish to praise your Dane and give treats for being a good dog to ensure that temperature taking does not become a bad memory. Clean the thermometer again with alcohol before storing it.