• Body temperature: 100.5 to 102.5 Fahrenheit rectally at rest.
• Respiration: 15-30 breaths per minute (when not panting)
• Resting pulse: 80 beats per minute-small dogs have faster heart beats.
  • Because of such a difference in breeds, ask your vet to show you how to find your dog’s average pulse at rest.

Unlike humans, dogs do not sweat to cool themselves.

• Although dogs pant, this is not as efficient as sweating in humans.
• Dogs cannot pant and sniff at the same time, which makes it important for your tracking dogs to be in shape for more efficiency in their job.
• The temperature control center is located in the hypothalamus of the brain.
  • Heating of the hypothalamus causes dilation of lingual arteries, decreased heart rate, and decreased resistance to blood flow in lingual arteries. (Dog’s Tongue and Thermoregulation http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/anphys/2000/Hatfield/Hatfield7.htm)
     ‘Tongue Surface Temperature: Panting is a thermoregulatory response to heating that decreases tongue surface temperature by increasing the tongue’s contact with cooler air in the environment due to the dog’s open mouth and protrusion of the tongue. Decreased tongue surface temperature causes increased total lingual blood flow which increases heat dissipation’. (The Dog’s Tongue and Thermoregulation – Davidson.edu – no longer active) 

“The most recognized mechanism used by the dog to cool down is panting. The surface of the respiratory tract is wet and the evaporation that occurs as the air passes over the surface acts to enhance heat loss. Another metabolic mechanism used to create heat loss is altering the body’s blood flow. In heat extremes, the body will divert blood towards the surface and away from internal components. Heat is dissipated from the blood flowing at the body’s skin surface. To further help with this dissipation, the dog will change its posture to enhance the surface exposure. A dog will extend its legs to increase the surface exposure when it is hot and curl up when it is cold. Another heat reducing mechanism is the brain’s logical thought process. When a dog determines that it is hot it will seek out cooler locations (i.e. shade or water). It will decrease its workload and efforts. It may start laying down or sitting during the activity. It has recognized that it is hot and continuing these activities will make it hotter. The normal dog will use these mechanisms to help from overheating.” (Gillette, R, 2002).

Dogscable – Interpretiing your dogs warm tongue

HEAT

• Dogs have pads on the bottom of their feet that do perspire as well.
• Dogs should not be exercised on hot humid days, as there is no way for them to dissipate the heat from their body.
• It is best to do any activity in early morning or late afternoon/evening on hot days.
  • This is especially important in dogs with brachycephalic syndrome. (See below).
• Provide plenty of cold water, as this gets absorbed quicker than tepid water.

Signs and symptoms of:

• Heat exhaustion: (Cool down immediately drenching in cool water/get into shade – if no change in 10 minutes get to veterinarian immediately)
  
  • Excessive panting or mouth open gasping for air
  • Salivation (drooling)
  • Muscle tremors
  • Weakness
  • Rapid, labored breathing
  • Bright red mucous membranes in the gums or eyes
  • Bright red tongue
  • Staggering or lethargy
• Heat stroke: (Get immediate veterinary help)
  
  • Groin area may be blotchy red
  • Unable to stand
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Convulsions
  • Loss of consciousness
  • White foam at the mouth

COLD

• As with humans, avoid exercising your dog in extreme cold or wet weather, depending on the breed.
• If you have a Rhodesian ridgeback that was bred for the African plains, he will need appropriate attire in the cold weather, as opposed to a Siberian husky that was bred for the extreme cold temperatures.
• Another thing to watch for is frostbite, especially in sled dogs.
  • Dogs sweat from the pads of their feet, which increases with exertion.
  • Snow will cling to the bottom of a dog’s foot that turns into ice.
  • This may get between the toes and to the hairs around the pads, which freezes in subzero temperatures.
• Other places frostbite may occur are the tips of the ears, scrotum and tail.

Signs and symptoms of:

• Hypothermia:
  
  • Subnormal temperature
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • May not obey commands (providing he did this before).
  • Violent shivering
  • Slow and shallow respiration
  • Decreased heart rate
  • Gums may appear pale or blue
• Frostbite:
  
  • Dog may limp or carry foot
  • Body part cold and hard to the touch
  • White skin

• A dog needs at least one ounce of water for each pound of body weight per day.
• This is increased with exercise.
• Water makes up almost three-fourths of a dog’s body weight, so as little as 15% depletion can be fatal.

Signs and symptoms:

• A dehydrated dog’s skin will lose elasticity.
  • In a normal, hydrated dog, the skin at the scruff of the dog’s neck can be pinched and pulled up into a “tent.”
  • When the skin is released, the skin should flatten out immediately.
• Weakness
• Dry, sticky gums
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Sunken, dry eyes
• Increased heart rate
• Slow capillary refill time (color should return to gums immediately after pressure is applied)

Breeds such as bulldogs, boxers, pugs and Boston terriers are known to have brachycephalic syndrome.

• This is a group of conditions that cause resistance to airflow through the nose and larynx in short-nosed breeds of dog.
• Because of the shortened bones of these dogs’ compressed faces, the airway is compromised.
• It is especially important in these breeds of not letting them get overweight and not to exercise in hot, humid weather, as this puts increased stress on their respiratory system.

Here are some things to look out for:

• Noisy breathing, especially when breathing in
• Blue appearance of gums due to lack of oxygen
• Exercise intolerance
• Heat intolerance
• Fainting