A big part of being a loving and responsible pet owner is knowing how to tell when your animal is ill. Differences in your pet's normal temperature, heartbeat, breathing, gum color, and general appearance indicate differing types of diseases. By recognizing the early signs, owners can get their animals the necessary veterinary care before the illness progresses beyond treatment.
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Temperature
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Knowing your pet's body temperature gives you a clear indication if your animal is ill. Cats and dogs run a rectal temperature of 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit when they are healthy. If the temperature drops below 99 or rises over 104, your pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. A low temperature can signify systemic shock or hypothermia; a high temperature points to hyperthermia or some kind of infection. A horse's temperature normally sets right around 101 degrees. Anything lower than 99 degrees or over 104 degrees without exertion indicates disease.
Pulse
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The size of your pet determines its pulse rate (number of heart beats in a minute). Typically, larger animals' hearts beat slower than small animals. The heart of a resting horse will beat around 40 beats a minute. A medium-size dog (over 30 pounds) will typically register a heart rate of 60 to 120 beats, and larger dogs (50 pounds and up) should register a heart rate of 60 to 80 beats per minute, depending on their exertion level. Small dogs typically record pulse rates of 120 to 160 beats a minute, while cats can have heartbeats running at 160 to 220 beats per minute.
To establish your pet's pulse rate, feel the rhythm of his heart along his left chest wall, count the beats for 15 seconds and multiply that number by four. If your pet's pulse is anywhere outside the norms, call your veterinarian immediately.
Respiration
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Try to determine your animal's respiration rate while he is resting by counting the number of times he takes a breath for 15 seconds, and then multiply that number by four. Dogs and horses will typically breathe 10 to 30 times a minute, with larger dogs showing slower respiration rates. Cats breathe 20 to 30 times in a minute. Even a dog in good health pants almost 200 times a minute, but a panting cat is a definite sign of respiratory distress or pain and needs emergency veterinary care. Any breathing pattern or rate outside of the norms is cause for concern, and a vet should examine the animal.
Capillary Refill Time
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The color and blood perfusion levels (capillary refill time) of your pet's mucous membranes should be examined if you suspect your animal is ill. The gums and a lowered eyelid are the easiest membranes to check. Normal color of the mucous membranes is pink. Contact a veterinarian immediately if your pet's gums are pale, blue, or yellow because this is a sign of serious illness. You can determine your animal's blood perfusion levels by gently pressing on the gum with your finger. If the blanched area doesn't turn pink within three seconds, blood flow from the heart is slowed, and the animal is in serious danger of going into shock.
Skin and Coat
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Your pet's skin and coat typically reflects the state of its health. A healthy animal will have a coat that is shiny and free of mats, reflecting proper nutrition and care. The coat will be free of external parasites like fleas and mange and will be all of one piece, without any patches or worn spots. A dull coat denotes either poor feeding habits or systemic illness, while damaged coats can indicate parasites and/or skin disease.
The skin of a healthy animal shows no signs of sores, scratches or dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). It will be smooth and clean under the coat and will spring quickly back into place when pulled away from the body. Skin that moves slowly back into place (more than two seconds) points toward dehydration--a sign that your pet needs veterinary care.
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