A Digital Thermometer Can make the Difference Between Life and Death
Recently, a greyhound seen at another facility died after a routine corn removal and much associated pain and stress. They also used drugs that we do not use here. In analyzing what went wrong, it is my belief that the entire incident could potentially have been avoided if the adopter, seeing that her dog was in discomfort and distress once it returned home, had been instructed to take her dog's temperature. One of the first things we do any time a greyhound comes to us is take it's temperature. This number is so critical in terms of what we will do next. Your dog's temperature should be in the neighborhood of 101.5°F, a little higher or lower, no big deal.
If we have a dog on the operating table with a temperature that drops to 98°F, we will begin covering it with warm towels or a heating pad. Although lower than normal temperatures absolutely need to be addressed, the greater concern is when a dog has an elevated temperature. If your dog's temperature is over 104°F, immediate action should be taken. You literally have to do several things at one time. It is helpful if you have everything already at hand so that you can follow through with what you need to do quickly. The first thing you will need is the phone number of your local veterinary, for incidents that take place during normal business hours, and the phone number of the nearest emergency veterinary facility, one that will be open no matter when you call. But first you need to empty out all of the ice you have in your house and put it into the largest container you have and then fill it with water. If you have bags of ice stored in the freezer, that is great. Soak a towel in the ice cold mixture and then use it to cover your dogs body. It helps if you can lay the dog down. Place additional wet towels under the legs and in the groin area of the dog, around its neck. The towels will need to be switched out with new, soaked towels every few minutes because they will get warm quickly. Don't worry about getting the carpet, floor or any surrounding areas wet, your dog may live or die based on your actions. A digital thermometer and vaseline will be essential in monitoring your dogs temperature.
If you are going to your vet, prepare to take the ice water and towels with you so you can continue administering cold towels to your dog's body. Call ahead and make sure that whatever veterinary facility you are going to knows the dog's temperature and condition and give them your estimated time of arrival so they can be ready. Tell them to meet you at the door because everything they do and you do is time critical.
If your dog's body reaches a temperature of 108°F or 109°F, its internal organs will start to break down - not that they can't survive - but if your dog maintains this temperature for an extended period of time, it will certainly be doomed.
If you are not sure if your dog is beginning to overheat, take its temperature anyway. The more often you take it, the more receptive your dog will be when you to do it. The less often you do it, the more difficult it will be. The adopter that lost her dog because of the corn-related procedure truly felt that if she had been advised to take her dogs temperature, she could have reacted appropriately and her dog may well have survived.
