Use of human medical themometer on dog

[Jerry_NJ]

I am considering buying a skin scan human medical thermometer, used to touch/slide across a human's forehead.  Could this be used to scan, say, the inside of a dog's ear where there is very little hair?  We have a Westie which has some hair inside the ear, there may be a better spot, the nose?  Or is this a bad idea?

What is the normal body temperature for a dog, 101 degrees Fahrenheit comes to mind... and what is the threshold of too high rather than just a little high (possible measurement errors)?

I suppose one can use an oral/colon thermometer can be  used in both humans and dogs.  I don't relish the idea of inserting on in the rectum of our frisky terrier, even if not feeling well I think he'd fight back.  

[Jerry_NJ]

Thanks, we decided to take the dog into the vet on an urgent basis.  This is the same dog we have discussed may times about skin irritation/itch, hair loss and yeast infection.  We're still working on that with the allergy blood test of a couple of weeks ago showing high allergy to dust mites   That said:

Yesterday he had a poor appetite.  This morning I found him in his bed and he had pooped on the floor nearby, healthy looking to my eye, he had also wet his bed and himself.  I would not get out of bed (he's about 18 pound Westie) so I gently picked him up.  He mad an unusual outcry, which I didn't af first associate with pain.  During the first few hours of the morning he allowed me to lift him to go outside in a light rain   Again with an outcry of pain.  He pooped a little bit standing up, not the usual sitting position.  Later in the morning he laid on his side and look like he had died... he was for sure at least in a swoon  

I got my wife to help, hold him in her lap (not in the crate) as we drove to the vet for urgent care.  Now a couple of hours later he is still at the vet.  Xrays did not show any bone breaks nor was there any evidence of trauma, but he is clearly in pain.  His blood test show low sugar and white cell count. He is there on IV with fluid and pain medicine and if he doesn't improve the plan is to move him to a 24/7 facility where he can be observed and given addition treatment if his condition worsens.   Sadly the vet is worried and says our dog may have only a 50% chance for survival.

The vet said poison, such as automobile antifreeze, could cause the symptoms.  The dog is in general under human supervision, he does not run around on his own, so I can not see anyway he could have gotten to an poison.

We await further developments at the vet's office.  

[ginger899]

I understand how you feel about your dog maybe wriggling about when you insert a thermometer.
Unfortunately, as far as I know, the 'forehead scan' ones (unless they have much improved recently) are not quite as accurate as the regular ones. I found this out when using one on myself some years ago. My correct temperature was only found when using a sublingual one. And it probably is the same for dogs. The rectum is really the best place to get their accurate body temperature. Though sometimes it has been suggested that the groin is also a good place. But my thought is that the rectum is better.

The thermometer must be lubricated first. A little petroleum jelly will be ok to use, or even some olive oil etc. It is very very important that the dog holds still for a minute, so you will need someone who will hold him very firmly with a proper grip and won't let go. When putting the thermometer in, it only needs to go in about an inch, and do this slowly and carefully, making sure of course that it slips in naturally and it's in the right position.

Usually the dog's normal healthy temperature is anything from about 100 degrees to about 101.5. Anything above 102 is considered a temperature. My thought is that anything higher than 102.5 especially if it rises within a few hours, needs urgent attention.