Your cat or dog cannot explain his/her symptoms, so it’s the responsibility of you and your veterinarian to keep him healthy. Cats and dogs are very good at hiding their illness, so it is up to you to observe them for abnormalities. By knowing your dog or cat's normal body temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate, you can better tell if your pet needs medical care.

Here are some norms to consider:

Body Temperature - Body temperature in animals is taken rectally.

For Dogs: The normal body temperature for a dog is 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your pet has a temperature less than 99 or over 104, contact your veterinarian immediately.
For Cats: The normal body temperature for a cat is 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your pet has a temperature less than 99 or over 104, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Mucous Membrane Color -

The most commonly examined mucous membranes are the gums. The color of the gums is a good indicator of blood perfusion and oxygenation. The normal gum color is pink. If your pet has pigmented gums, lowering the eyelid can also give you an indicator of mucous membrane color. Pale, white, blue or yellow gums are cause for concern and you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Capillary Refill Time -

Briefly apply pressure to the gums and release. The area should blanch and rapidly return to the normal pink color. This test is referred to as the capillary refill time and is a crude method of assessing circulation. Normal refill time is 1 to 2 seconds. If the refill time is less than 1 second or over 3 seconds, immediate veterinary care is recommended. To practice, you can do a quick capillary refill test on yourself. Press down on the tip of your fingernail. The pink skin underneath the nail will blanch. When you release the fingertip, the color rapidly returns to normal.

Heart Rate -

You can feel your pet’s heartbeat on the left side of the chest at the area where a raised elbow will touch the chest. Your pet should be calm and quiet. Place your hand over this area of the chest and feel for a heartbeat. You can also use a stethoscope if you have one. Count the number of heartbeats for 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4. Be aware that a dog's heartbeat will normally slow down and speed up with each breath. This is not an abnormal heart rhythm and does not require veterinary care.

If you cannot determine your pet’s heartbeat, you can try to determine the pulse rate. The easiest pulse to feel is the pulse associated with the femoral artery, which is best felt inside the back leg in the groin area. Place your first two fingers up high on the inside of your pet’s thigh. Slowly feel the area until you can detect a pulse. This method may take some practice and you may want to ask your veterinarian for guidance during a routine exam.

Heart Rate for Dogs, a normal heartbeat varies on size:

• Small dogs and puppies normally have heart rates of 120 to 160 beats per minute.
• Dogs over 30 pounds have heart rates of 60 to 120. The larger the dog, the slower the normal heart rate.
• If your pet has a heart rate outside the normal range, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Heart Rate for Cats:

Cats typically have heart rates between 160 to 220 beats per minute. If your pet has a heart rate outside the normal range, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Respiratory Rate -

Counting the number of breaths per minute and determining the breathing pattern can be very important in an emergency. Learn the normal breathing rate and pattern for your pet.

Count the number of breaths your pet takes in one minute. Avoid counting when your pet is panting. A good time to count the normal breathing rate is when your pet is asleep.

Normal respiratory rates:

• For Dogs: 10 to 30 breaths per minute. Dogs can also pant normally up to 200 pants per minute.
• For Cats: 20 to 30 breaths per minute

Determining the breathing pattern is also important. In a normal breath, the chest expands as the breath enters the chest. The chest then sinks as the breath leaves the chest. Exhalation requires no effort. If you notice your pet using his abdominal muscles to breath, gasping, making loud noises, taking shallow breaths, panting excessively or exhalation seems to be difficult, consult your veterinarian immediately.

If you are unsure if your pet is breathing, place a cotton ball or tissue immediately in front of the nose and mouth. If you see movement of the cotton or tissue, your pet is still breathing. Another method is to use a mirror. Place the mirror in front of the pet's mouth and nose. If you see condensation on the mirror, your pet is still breathing.

How to tell if your pet is ill & questions your vet may ask -

You know your pet best and can often notice subtle early warning signs that someone else may not detect. If you observe any of the above mentioned symptoms or other signs that concern you, call your veterinary hospital. The safest approach would be to have your pet examined.

Once your pet is at the hospital, your veterinarian may ask some general questions, then more specific questions. A brief cursory exam of your pet at home can help you determine the answers. Observe any conditions in the following:

• Eyes - Is there an increase or decrease in tear production, do the eyes appear cloudy or red, any discharge, are eyes bloodshot, are the pupils the same size in both eyes, is your pet rubbing or pawing at the eyes, is your pet squinting, do the eyes appear to be sunken or excessively protruding?
  
• Ears - Do you notice any swelling or discharge, are the ears drooping when they should be erect, red or inflammed, odor, is your pet rubbing, pawing at ears, shaking head, pain or crying when you rub or scratch ears?
  
• Nose - Have you noticed any congestion, sneezing or coughing, blood or discharge from the nose?
  
• Mouth - Is there swelling to lips or tongue, bleeding, color of gums, are there any foreign objects, can your pet open or close mouth normally, signs of pain, excessive drooling or foaming, can your pet swallow food normally?
  
• Chest - Difficulty breathing, excessive panting, pain in chest area is petted, coughing, is heartbeat steady & consistent, what is the heartrate?
  
• Abdomen/Stomach area - Any diarrhea or vomiting, is your pet eating and drinking normally, does abdomen/stomach appear swollen or distended, signs of pain when petted, does your pet chew on non-food items?
  
• Urinary output & Reproductive systems - Notice any difference in urinating, straining or crying when urinating, repeated urination with no urine produced, blood in urine, how frequently is your pet urinating, is your pet spayed/neutered, any discharge from vaginal area or penis area, swelling of genital area, excessive licking of genital area?
  
• The muskuloskeletal system (bones & joints) - Are they limping, swollen, excessive licking in area of legs, signs of pain, is he dragging any legs when walking?

By supplying the answers these questions, your veterinarian will be in a much better position to help your pet. Additional tests may be necessary to find out what the problem is but knowing or observing anything in the above areas can greatly narrow the area of concern.

Most of us keep a variety of medicines at home for those occasions when we are sick or injured, but did you know there are some important medicines to keep on hand if your dog is not well? Here are some of the commonly used items you should have on hand in your dog's medicine chest. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before giving any medicines.

• Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide should be in every dog's medicine cabinet. Although most commonly thought of as a way to clean a wound, another important use is to induce vomiting when your dog has ingested toxins, foreign objects, drugs or spoiled food. However, check with your veterinarian first because there are times when it is best not to induce vomiting. Dogs won't drink peroxide willingly so buy an oral dose syringe or keep a turkey baster on hand to help administer the liquid. Also check the expiration date; expired peroxide is not as effective.

• Diphenhydramine

Benadryl® (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that is commonly used for itching and allergic reactions. Dogs that have had a bee sting, insect bite or vaccination reaction often need a dose of Benadryl® to calm itchiness, facial swelling or hives. The dose is based on your dog's weight, so check with your veterinarian; he or she can tell you how much Benadryl® you can give and how often.

• Pepto-Bismol/Kaopectate

Every dog owner knows about vomiting, diarrhea and gas. Sometimes a dose of Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate can solve a mild case of stomach or intestinal upset. However, Pepto-Bismol contains salicylates, the active ingredient in aspirin, so dogs that are aspirin sensitive should be given Kaopectate. Any vomiting or diarrhea that persists for more than 24 hours needs your veterinarian's attention. Be sure to mention if you have given any Pepto-Bismol to your dog; the tablet form of Pepto-Bismol looks just like a quarter on X-rays.

• Triple Antibiotic Ointment

Topical antibacterial ointment is great for superficial wounds, such as cuts and scratches. It works best when the wound is located where the dog can't lick it since most dogs will lick off any salve you apply. It is not a good treatment for deep wounds, especially if they are dirty or bleeding, or the result of a bite. These need veterinary attention.

• Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is often a good drying agent for ears. Many dogs that have recurring ear infections can use a solution of alcohol mixed with vinegar to dry up a wet ear. Alcohol should never be used in an ear that is inflamed or infected, or on a wound, as it burns when applied to damaged tissues. It can also be used in cases where your dog is overheated. Heat stroke is a life threatening situation that requires immediate veterinary attention, but alcohol applied to the pad of your dog's feet can provide some cooling while you are getting your pet to the vet.

• Bandages and Tape

It can be challenging to bandage a bleeding wound on your pet. Most often an old sock and electrical tape are cleverly used as bandages when an emergency arises. Keep a pack of clean or sterile gauze and some medical tape handy. Most bleeding wounds require pressure and tape will help keep the gauze in place.

Oral Dose Syringe/Pill Gun/Pill Splitter

Your veterinarian can supply you with a handy little item called a pill gun. It is a long plastic tube with a plunger used to deliver pills to our less cooperative friends. Some dogs just aren't fooled by that little meatball with the pill in the middle. The pill gun keeps you from having to stick your hand/fingers into your dog's mouth when medicating him. An oral dose syringe will help you give liquid medications accurately. A pill splitter will help you cut large tablets into equal portions if your pet requires a smaller dose.

Having these medications on hand is only half the job. Calling your pet's doctor for proper instructions and potential side effects is the other. Never give your pet any medicine prescribed for people unless instructed by your veterinarian.