Dear All,

My bitch was mated 24 days ago (last mating) and we still have everything crossed. Last year she had a litter but I had problems taking her temp in the last few days and wondered if an option would be one of the ear thermometers you see in hospitals. I have found one on the net for pets(as used by vets apparently). Would this give the same indications as a rectal reading ie the drop just before whelping. I know this sounds odd, but before I spend £40+ I would appreciate your veiws.

Lilly

I use the ear ones for my dogs.
I brought it off bay (brand new) for £15.00.
I think they are so much easier.

Is the human one ok or does it have to be one for animals
Lydia

I got the human one and its great.

Hi,

Thankyou all for your reply's I think I will get the human one. I am off to see if I can get one off e-bay!!

Lilly

Ooooh, found one and put in a bid - so excited!!!!

Lilly

hi ,
just buy a digital one from your local chemist price range between 7 and 12 pounds,quick and easy to use

sorry to appear thick but where do you put thr digital one?

Per Rectum, Welshie.

Dawn R.

I bought a couple electronic ones brandnew on e-bay for £3 each..

Hi All,

I have purchased an ear thermometer from e-bay and will let you all know what its like when it arrives. It was £15.00, which having looked roud is a bargain.

Lilly

Does your vet use an ear thermometer, or a rectal one? I've not come across ear thermometers designed & tested & calibrated for use in dogs. Go to Boots & buy a bog-standard digital thermometer, some KY jelly & some exam gloves if you're squeamish.

Yes I wondered about that ral, the timpanic thermometer register heat emitted from the ear drum, I believe, which is a long way down in the dog I think, but I suppose a base reading can be taken and compared to a rectal reading and from then on changes can be measured against the base.  I like the digital rectal ones very quick.  Best not to keep in the bathroom cabinet though in case some human chances by and decides to pop it under their tongue :D

I recently got a digital one of Ebay. It has a flexible tip so less chance of causing injury. Only few quid on "Buy it now" - got another one for the "humans" in the house. Dogs one clearly marked with marker pen though!! I had wondered too wether the in ear ones would be effective for the dogs, for the same reason.
Helen

iIbought a human ear one from e bay but did not find it accurate when comparing it to rectal temp. I think the depth of the ear canal is too different from humans to be accurate with a dog. I reverted back to a digital.

Snap I didn't find the ear one accurate at all with the dogs. In fact I have 2 lying around in anyone wants them :-)

I asked the vet about this - he said the ear ones aren't accurate enough as the ear canal is so long.    I worry about the digital ones being accurate when the batteries start to go down.

So back on the old glass one for accuracy.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

The ear canal also goes through an almost right angle bend!
I very much prefer the digital ones to the glass ones - less change of broken glass & spilled mercury, and so much easier to use.
Haven't yet used the temperature-sensing ID microchips yet...