TPR - TEMPERATURE, PULSE & RESPIRATION Presentation on TEMPERATURE, PULSE & RESPIRATION.

TPR - TEMPERATURE, PULSE & RESPIRATION

Presentation on

TEMPERATURE, PULSE & RESPIRATION

Introduction

• Who would take temperature, pulse and respiration readings in the dog and cat?

• Why are these readings necessary?

• What site might we use to take a dog’s temperature?

• Does anyone have any previous experience of taking TPRs?

Who would take temperature, pulse and respiration readings in the dog and

cat?

• Veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, breeders, kennel / cattery owners, pet owners

Why are these readings necessary?

• Taking an animal’s TPR can give us a good indication of the general health status of that animal

What site might we use to take a dog’s temperature?

• Rectum i.e. under the tail

Temperature, Pulse & Respiration

• Wash hands

• Restrain animal

• Check thermometer reading – shake down if necessary

• Lubricate thermometer with Vaseline or KY jelly

Procedure for taking the temperature using a mercury thermometer


• Gently insert the thermometer into the patient’s rectum with a twisting motion. The thermometer should be directed against the wall of the rectum to avoid insertion into the faecal mass

• Hold the thermometer in the rectum for 1 minute

• Gently remove the thermometer and wipe it clean. Avoid touching the bulb



• Hold the thermometer horizontally and rotate it until the mercury level is visible

• Read and record the temperature, noting and reporting any abnormalities

• Shake down the thermometer to ensure that the mercury returns to the bulb

• Wash hands



• Lubricate thermometer with Vaseline or KY jelly

• Turn thermometer on

• Gently insert the thermometer into the patient’s rectum with a twisting motion. The thermometer should be directed against the wall of the rectum to avoid insertion into the faecal mass

• Take reading when thermometer beeps


Digital thermometers

• CONTROL OF BODY TEMPERATURE - Mammals are ‘warm blooded’ or endothermic. This means that they regulate or control their own body temperature within a narrow range.


Temperature


How do mammals warm themselves up?

• By shivering. The muscle movements releases heat

How do dogs cool themselves down?

• By panting. Panting removes excess heat from the body when the moisture in the dog’s mouth and tongue evaporates, taking heat with it.

Temperature

• Infectious diseases and other illnesses affect this regulatory system and cause the animal’s body temperature to alter from its normal range

• Checking an animal’s temperature can therefore give us a good indication of that animal’s health status


Temperature

Below are the normal temperature ranges for dogs, cats and rabbits

in degrees Celsius:

• Dog 38.3 – 38.7°C

• Cat 38.0 – 38.5°C

• Rabbit 38.5 – 40.0°C


Normal temperature ranges

A high body temperature is called PYREXIA and may be caused by:

• Infection

• Convulsions (fits)

• Pain

• Excitement


Temperature

• An abnormally low body temperature is said to be SUBCLINICAL and can occur in anaesthetised or unconscious animals

• Extreme external temperatures can also affect an animal, causing HYPOTHERMIA (low body temperature caused by external conditions) or HYPERTHERMIA (high body temperature caused by external conditions e.g. heat stroke)


Temperature

• The pulse is used to check the functions of the cardio-vascular system (heart and blood vessels)

• A pulse is created when the heart beats, forcing a wave of blood through the arteries

• A normal pulse is firm and regular

• Sometimes a dog’s pulse rate goes faster and slower as the dog breathes in and out. This is called sinus arrythmia and is normal


Pulse

Normal pulse rates are shown below :

• Dog 60 – 180

• Cat 120 – 180

• Rabbit 150 – 300


Pulse

The pulse may be taken using the following sites:

• Femoral artery (inside of hind leg)

• Digital pulse (front paw)

• Lingual pulse (underside of tongue – anesthetised animals only!)


Sites for pulse taking

• The patient should be restrained

• Locate the artery with the fingers

• Count the pulsations for one minute

• Record the rate and report any abnormalities


Procedure for pulse – taking

Increases in pulse rate can be due to:

• Exercise

• Excitement or stress

• Heart disease

• Shock or blood loss

• Pain

• High temperature


Pulse

Decreases in pulse rate can be due to:

• Sleep or unconsciousness

• Heart disease

• Other disease


Pulse

• The rhythm and rate of respiration can be assessed by careful observation of an undisturbed animal

• Count either inspirations or expirations for one minute

• Record respiration rate

• Note and record any abnormalities

• Respiration should only be measured once an animal is calm and quiet. The reading is taken on EITHER breathing in OR breathing out – not both!


Respiration

Normal respiration rates are as follows :

• Dog 10 – 30

• Cat 20 – 30


Respiration

Causes of increased respiration rate:

• Exercise• Haemorrhage• Shock• Pain• Excitement or fear• Heat stroke• Disease


Respiration

Causes of decreased respiration rate :

• Unconsciousness or sleep

• Some poisons

• Hypothermia


Respiration

Dyspnoea (difficult breathing)

• Panting is normal for a dog, if he or she has been just been exercised or is too hot

• Panting can also be a sign of stress or excitement

• If you are concerned that your dog is panting for no known reason, contact your veterinary practice


Respiration

• Cats SELDOM pant – they usually take things too easily to get hot and bothered!

• If your cat is panting this could be an emergency – contact your veterinary practice immediately.


Respiration

• Forced breathing out

• Flared nostrils

• Extended head and neck

• Mouth breathing

• Large movements of the chest or abdomen

• Noisy breathing

• Blue mucous membranes (gums)

• CALL THE VET!


Signs that an animal is finding breathing difficult:

TPR - TEMPERATURE, PULSE & RESPIRATION Presentation on TEMPERATURE, PULSE & RESPIRATION.

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