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heart rate testing techniques then the dog’s general health condition
1. Lay the dog on its right side. If the dog should be assessed by looking at the
does not want to or cannot lie down, bigger picture, and not just an isolated
then let it remain in standing position. phenomenon.
If a dog is lying on its left side and is
conscious, do not turn it over. In such respiratory assesment techniques
cases, try to feel or listen to its heart 1. While the dog is lying, standing,
on its right side. or sitting, try to observe its chest
movement and count how many times
2. While the dog is lying, try to move its the chest expands or how many times
front left leg slightly forward to free it contracts. You should count only
the place where the elbow touches the expansion or only contraction, not both.
chest.
2. You can also listen to its breathing
3. Place your hand or ear on that spot by placing your ear on its chest. In
and count the number of times the critical situations where the dog is not
heart beats in one minute. breathing or its breathing is so shallow
or weak that you cannot notice any
respiration rate chest movement, try to place a mirror
in front of the dog’s nostrils to see the
It is somewhat easier to measure dogs’ condensation on the mirror from the
respiration rate because they expand exhaled air.
their chest when inhaling normally,
which is easily visible. Expansion of the visible mucous membranes
belly instead of the chest most often An examination of visible mucous
indicates a health problem. Exhalation membranes can provide information
should be easy and effortless. Anything about the state of the oxidation process
contradictory to the usual breathing in the blood and tissue, as well as other
pattern could indicate a problem and very important information. The easiest
warrants a vet visit. If there is noticeable way to examine the condition and color of
effort by your dog to breathe properly, the mucous membranes is on the inside
if breathing is extremely shallow or of the dog’s lips. Lift the lip and see if
extremely deep, if there are any noises the mucous membrane is light pink.
heard while breathing or if the dog Extremely pale, almost white, bluish,
is not breathing at all, please seek brick red, bright red or yellow mucous
immediate medical attention. A normal membrane may indicate pathological
dog respiration rate is between 18 to 34 changes and be a sign it’s time to visit
breaths per minute. The exception is the the vet. Many dogs have black or dark
normal occurrence of panting, when the pigmented mucous membranes of the
number of breaths can rise to 200 breaths lips or gums – don’t let this alarm you. You
per minute. In healthy dogs, it is their way can’t check the true color of the mucous
of cooling their body, and is identical to membranes in such pigmented areas, so
sweating in humans. You should bear in either check the other lip or the inside of
mind that sick dogs can also pant, but the lower eyelid.

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