The first question is can it be used, and the second question is does anyone have any experience using an ear thermometer on a dog?

One of the things I dread is taking the dog's temperature. I have a digital thermometer, but it is slow, and the dogs hate it.

I have never owned one of these, but I know from my own experience recently in hospital they are really fast. It seems the ear thermometer for pets has a longer probe than the human one. Is is worth getting one or will the dogs hate this more than the rectal one?

Animals are all different, I know a cat who always purred when given a rectal thermometer, he was an odd cat who got hot for the hoover!

I guess it depends on what kind of dog you have? Or rather on what kind of ears your dog has! Some ears are more accessible than others!

I have an ear thermometer for myself and the kids, and it's great: fast, painless and very reliable.

I guess dogs would prefer it. I can poke my doggie in the ears without problems, but the one time the vet tried to take her rectal temperature it was quite a drama!

The only potential problem would be the beeep indicating the temp is ready to be read on the screen. It might be loud so close to a doggie's ear.

Cats can purr when they hurt you know?

Yes, that's the trouble, the dogs wants to squat and it is difficult to keep her standing still.

I never thought about that....maybe the ear thermometer for dogs is quieter?

Hubby is going to the US soon for a business trip and I was going to send him to the pet store there to get one.

Why not simply get a human one?

Honestly the idea never came to my mind but I believe you could use a human one if the dog's ear is big enough.

This cat had been castrated, however would get 'hard' when playing with the hoover. He also tried to have sex with a female cat at least twice a day, she is even his daughter!

The vet thinks's he is an SM cat!

It can safely be used on babies from 6 weeks old, so I guess it would work even on a chihuahua!

I remember seeing one of the digital ear thermometer in our vet in Luxembourg, it was exactly the same as the one we had at home, so I guess by implication .. yes you can

I'm very glad you posted this Mrs D.

I've always only taken rectal temperatures (not the most pleasant of tasks). As it's also how my vet does it, it had never occurred to me to ask about using an ear thermometers for dogs. Really glad you brought this up!

So I googled; yes, there are indeed canine ear thermometers, such as:
http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Monit.../dp/B0002ZAFF8

Another link was from Walmart - so they should be pretty easy to find in the US.

And, here's an article on how to use the ear thermometer:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-...ure/page1.aspx

And for somewhat OTT canine health nerds (Moi? ), a study on the efficacy of such thermometers.
http://www.admon.com/wp-content/uplo...hite-Paper.pdf



I think I'll pick one up the next time I'm home - should make my life a whole lot easier!

The Muttley Crew also thank you muchly for this thread.

I think it would be a case of how big the dog is and how big the device is.

+1

I had to do it every 5 hours last week, for a couple of days. I dont know who is more traumatised.

Didnt know that they exist but definitely picking one up now. Thanks MC and Mrs D.

Thanks for all those links. I've given hubby a shopping list for his next business trip.

We asked our vet about this before we left and they told us that while you can take your dog's temp this way, it is less accurate due to the anatomy of the ear. Taking the dogs temperature 3 times in a row might give a different result each time but they should be close unless it is really bothering the dog. But, if you are an observant dog owner it is still a useful too and can be used instead of a rectal. Basically they were covering their backsides but said it was fine.

Fortunately, we haven't had to do either one since arriving. Our Boston squeezes her backside and sits when she sees the thermometer so I think ear temps are our only option.

Just don't use on yourself after you've used it on your dog...

Cheers,
Nick