Taking body temperature
A body temperature of a healthy dog is 37.5 - 39 C. Abnormalities usually indicate some disorders in the organism. Temperature measurement is conducted by means of medical thermometer. Before taking measurement, shake the thermometer and grease its tip with Vaseline oil. Then take a dog in arms or put it on the table or lay sidewise, raise its tail and gently bring the thermometer into the anus so that its tip in the rectum. Keep the thermometer for two or three minutes. It might be good to repeat the procedure at mornings and evening to watch its' dynamics.
Measuring the Pulse Rate
The pulse is measured usually by putting fingers on a femoral artery, which passes on the inner surface of hip. A pulse rate of an adult dog varies between 90-100 beats per second, of an old one - 70-80, and of a puppy - 110-120. Deviations of pulse rate may be a symptom of some disease.
Measuring Respiration Rate
A respiration rate is determined by counting the number of inhalations and exhalations during one minute by movements of chest and belly or sides of nose, or by putting hand on the chest.
Normally the number of inhalations and exhalations in a puppy ranges between 18 and 20 respiratory acts per minute, in an adult dog - between 16 and 18, and in an old one - between 14 and 16.
How to give the drug
Medicines in form of pills, capsules or dragee one should give as follows: hold the upper jaw with one hand and open the mouth with another hand, put the pill on the root of tongue and close the jaws. Powders one should pour on the tongue and then let the dog drink it up. Liquid medicines (decoctions, mixtures, suspensions) one should give by a teaspoon, or a dessertspoon or a tablespoon. To do this, clasp the dog muzzle, lift its head up and pour the medicine from the spoon behind the cheek.
How to Stimulate Vomiting
To clean up stomach from poisons and foreign objects one must at once evoke vomiting. To do this one should prepare the solution on the basis of 1 tsp of salt and baking soda or mustard per 0.5 liter of warm water and pour it behind the dog cheek.
First-aid Set
There are lots of cases when one is unable to call a veterinarian or take a dog into a hospital. Therefore every owner should have a compact first-aid set at home. The first-aid set consists of: thermometer, medicine dropper, syringe, tweezers, rubber tourniquet, bandages, cotton wool, gauze, 70% alcohol (or vodka), hydrogen peroxide, iodine tincture, Blakstonia, permanganate potassium, alcohol, Vaseline oil, castor or olive oil (in case of constipation you may add some in food), activated charcoal, antibiotics, sulfanilamide medications, anesthetics (analgin, for instance), eye drops, oak rind, chamomile, linseed and others.