Hi all

Can anyone advise on what sort of themometer I should use on my boys and if I have to buy a special one where to get it from?

Also if anyone could tell me what a Shar Pei's normal temperature should be I would be very grateful.

Thanks lots

Nicky

Hi you can use a small mercury thermometer, a dogs usual temp is roughly 101 degrees fareigneight (spelt wrong!)
About 2cm in! must be careful it doesnt crack or break when in- v.dangerous, and would require an op. to take it out..

thanks for that - do I have to put it up the bum?  They will love me doing that!

If you buy a glass one make sure you ask for a rectal one they are stonger and there would be a very real danger of the oral ones breaking although I do not believe they have mercury in them anymore. I much prefer the little electronic ones you can buy for about a fiver and have a small metal tip to insert and yes you do have to use the "bum" as no dog will sit happily with a thermometer under their tongue :D  Whatever you get, for goodness sake, don't keep it in the bathroom cabinet and mark it "for dog use only'' especially if your husband is the usual male hypercondriac :p

We now use the ear one for all of us, human, dog and cats.  It records high enough for the critters and the ear cup is disposable.  You have to get it in far enough, your VEt can maybe give you some tips on using it.  Our Vet uses the same one.  Watch for sales, these things aren't cheap but are much easier for one person to use, particularly if the pet is already stressed out for some reason.  Our dog and cats like to have their ears scratched so don't mind us putting the thermom. in and it reads very, very quickly.

Unfortunately can't do the ear one as one of my boys had has surgery on his ears and doesn't really have a proper ear canal left!  Will have a look in the chemist tonight and see what ones they do.  Thanks again for your suggestions.

That's too bad, they are much easier, though I really did not have much trouble with the rectal one either.  Our Vet says to grease the rectal ones up a bit with vaseline first.  Apparently does not affect the reading.  That means a special jar labelled just for that purpose (in case your OH does not think of that. LOL) and thorough hand washing before and after.  And you have to be careful when washing those rectal thermometres that you do not use water that is too hot.  Going over the temperature the thing is meant to handle can damage it.