In humans the axillary temperature has been largely replaced by the forehead scan. If an animal is feverish the axillary temperature will pick-it up. Even though actual temperature readings vary from axilla and rectal readings, the axillary method does not detect hyperthermia or fever in pets as well as the rectal method. For pets with normal or low temperatures, the axillary temperature does not consistently match the rectal temperature. Recent research suggests that the correlation is not as close as thought. It was thought that the axillary temperature coincided closely with a rectal temperature. This method can be used in veterinary hospital for animals that resist the rectal approach. Taking an axillary temperature was commonly used in human medicine, especially with infants and younger children. ![]() Mercury and digital thermometers are reasonably priced so this is the most common method of obtaining a pet’s temperature in veterinary hospitals. In general it is easy to perform a rectal temperature and requires only 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the type of thermometer. Even though fecal material, rectal inflammation, colon contractions, colon muscle tone, and physical activity (struggling to get the temperature would qualify) can affect measurements, research suggests it is still an accurate measure of core body temperature. The rectal temperature is considered the “gold standard” for measuring the internal core body temperature of pets. Axillary (pit of the front legs) with mercury or digital thermometer.Rectally with a mercury or digital thermometer.There are 3 main methods for getting a pet’s body temperature: So what are the alternatives and how accurate are they? Methods for Measuring the Temperature of Animals But a pet’s body temperature is an extremely important piece of information, especially if the examination is because the pet is not feeling well. I actually tell my staff not to take a rectal temperature if it is extremely upsetting to the pet or owner. ![]() Some pets get so upset that the attempt to take a rectal temperature may result in a falsely high temperature reading. ![]() If your pet is sensitive and even aggressive when approached back there you are even more uncomfortable with the procedure. You wince and even dislike it when the veterinary nurse takes your pet’s temperature rectally.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |