HOW TO TAKE A TEMPERATURE
When Should You Take a Temperature?
When you suspect that your animal may be sick or not feeling well, it’s always a good idea to take their temperature. Knowing if there is a temperature is one of the first steps in accessing what the health issue may be. A high temperature usually indicates a bacteria or virus. If the weather is really hot, this too can elevate their temperature which doesn’t mean that they are sick. So consider all things in your animal’s environment.
Always have a digital thermometer and lubricant as part of your equipment box. It’s always a good situation to never need the thermometer…but if you need it, you’ll be so glad that it is handy!
Note: The dollar stores are a great place to pick up a digital thermometer and petroleum jelly.
MEDICINE CABINET
- Digital Thermometer
- Petroleum jelly
- Alcohol Wipes
STEPS TO TAKE A TEMPERATURE
Secure your Animal
- Goats & Sheep (or other Large Animals) – Place on a Grooming Stand or tie them to a fence and have a friend hold them still.
- Pigs – Take the temperature when they are eating or wait until they are lying down.
- Turn Digital Thermometer on & Lubricate the Tip.
- Insert into the rectum (2 inches is sufficient)
- Digital thermometers will beep when the temperature is ready to read. They are a faster at displaying a temperature number, which helps with wiggly animals!
- Standard thermometers will require to be in place for 2 minutes to accurately read a temperature.
- Gently remove the thermometer, record the temperature, date & time. Use alcohol wipes to clean the thermometer and put back into your equipment box.
IF THERE IS A TEMPERATURE
If a temperature is present, follow the steps in the Daily Health Assessment Chart for your goat, lamb or pig and call your adviser for more help. Your adviser or Vet will appreciate your steps taken to gather as much information about the condition of your animal!