How far should I insert a rectal thermometer to get my dog's temp?

Hello. Yes, you can use the thermometer you have. Put a little lubricant on the end ( even a little cooking oil will work ) & gently insert it into the rectum. Just go far enough in that you can no longer see the silver tip ( so you do not have to put the entire thermometer all the way in ). Wait for the beep & read. A normal temperature for a dog is approximately 101.5 F. We consider anything over 103 F to be a true fever. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

When you take the temperature there is a chance that sometimes when there is a lot of poop in the rectum, the temperature appears a bit lower than it should be. If Chico does not appear ill, is lively and happy, eats and drinks properly, I would not worry so much. Take his temperature again tomorrow, leave the thermometer in the rectum until it makes the sound that the temperature is recorded, and then gently pull it out. You should push the thermometers tip gently into the rectum about an inch to make sure you are getting an inner body temperature. If Chico appears ill, sleeps a lot and is lethargic, he needs to be seen by your veterinarian.

It's not difficult to take your dog's temperature rectally, but it is a task best performed by two people. Have someone hold the dog still, preferably someone the dog knows and likes. If no help is available, make your dog lie down on her side and hold her as best you can, while talking to her soothingly. After shaking down the thermometer (or use a digital thermometer) and lubricating it well with petroleum jelly or K-Y, lift his tail and gently push the thermometer in. Insert the thermometer from one to three inches, depending on the size of your dog and hold it in place for at least two minutes (or until it beeps, for a digital). After you remove the thermometer, wipe it clean and read the temperature by the height of the silver column of mercury on the thermometer scale. A temperature of 100.5° to 102°F degrees is normal.

Hello, I am sorry for your concern about Pepe. If his prostate was very enlarged, then it is possible that a thermometer could have caused a small trauma. But if the prostate is this big, then he needs to have this medically addressed. Neutering can sometimes reduce the size of the prostate just by removing the excess hormone effect on the prostate. If this is an infection, antibiotics need to be started quickly. If this is cancer, it is even more imperative to have this followed up. The prostate is usually quite small & barely protrudes into the distal colon. But with disease, or a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia, it can enlarge enough to block the passage of feces out the rectum, & also affect the ability for urine to flow. I hope you can get this checked out soon. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Normal temperature in dogs runs between about 100 and 102.5. You will need to take Chico's temperature rectally. I am attaching a handout below that discusses normal physical exam findings for dogs for your reference including information on taking the temperature. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951314 Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Poor Louis! This can happen in some long-haired dogs, when poop becomes matted in the hair and stuck over the rectum. In many cases, the skin underneath becomes irritated and infected, and very sore when touched. I would recommend taking Louis to a vet today if you can - he/she can sedate him to allow the poop and matted hair to be clipped away without hurting him, and can also prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication for the skin underneath if needed.

A dog's normal temperature is between 101-102.5F, so Rowdy's temperature is low. I would take it again, as you may have accidentally inserted the thermometer in some feces in his anus. If it's still low, then it may be a good idea to have him seen by a vet tonight. I hope this helps!