How Do I Take My Schnauzer’s Temperature (Basic Steps)

Your Schnauzer’s temperature can fluctuate in minor ways and in cycles just like yours does, but a body temperature outside of her normal range can be cause for concern. Learning how to successfully take her temperature is a basic skill every Schnauzer owner should learn, and I’ve detailed the most straightforward steps in this article.

How do I take my Schnauzer’s temperature? Learning how to successfully use a rectal thermometer is the most reliable way to take your Schnauzer’s temperature. For best results, use a digital non-glass thermometer. Use lubrication for ease and comfort. Enlist the help of another person to keep your Schnauzer still, and insert the metal tip. An accurate reading should only take between 3-10 seconds.

Before we get to the temperature-taking steps, it’s important to know what a normal temperature range is for Schnauzers. Let’s cover that information first.

What is a Normal Schnauzer Temperature?

The average temperature of a dog is slightly higher than that of humans. Specifically, a canine’s normal temperature range is 99.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit while that of humans is within a range of 97.6 to 99.6 Fahrenheit.

In general, your Schnauzer is considered to have a fever at a temperature of 103.5 and above. In fact, a temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit is considered an emergency and can be life threatening.

In addition, a low body temperature anywhere below 99 degrees Fahrenheit (outside of labor) is also a medical emergency.

Keep in mind that:

• Sometimes your Schnauzer will have a fever that comes and goes without you even noticing. A relatively harmless infection from a cut or having ingested a very small amount of a toxic substance can often be situations where your Schnauzer can successfully fight it off with a very low fever.
  
• A low body temperature is a sign of hypothermia and it may or may not be caused by being out in the cold weather. Low body temperature can also be caused by a diseased hypothalamus. Small dogs, such as a Miniature Schnauzer, and very young or elderly dogs are also at higher risk for a low body temperature.
  
• In addition, it may be helpful to know that as far as normal canine temperatures go, if your Schnauzer is pregnant and her temperature drops below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, labor is mostly likely in process and she may deliver pups within the next 24 hours.
  
• The old adage that a moist, cool nose is healthy and a warm, dry nose indicates a fever is not a reliable way to know for sure whether your Schnauzer is hot.
  
• The only reliable way to know whether or not your Schnauzer is running a fever is to take her temperature.

Choosing a Canine Thermometer for Home Use

The most accurate way to determine a dog’s temperature is to use a rectal or ear thermometer.

Be sure to reserve the thermometer for canine use only and not for general family use.

A rectal thermometer understandably feels a little uncomfortable for your Schnauzer, hence the need to lubricate with baby oil or petroleum jelly.

Ear thermometers can also measure your Schnauzer’s temperature if you are looking for a less invasive technique. However, the results may not be as accurate as the shape of a dog’s ear canal requires you to be as close as possible to the eardrum. This is because an ear thermometer measures the infrared heat waves emitted around the eardrum to obtain a reading. Also, hairy or dirty ear canals affect the accuracy of the reading.

Thanks to advances in technology, there are also “no-touch” thermometers now available which provide quite accurate readings without needing to make your Schnauzer uncomfortable at all.

There are also stick-on thermometers that are very inexpensive but also less reliable. You would probably only use these if your Schnauzer has recently given birth and you want to monitor the temperature of the new pups.

To recap, here are the thermometer options for taking your Schnauzer’s temperature:

Non-Touch Infrared Thermometers	Using current technology, these thermometers are increasingly accurate and can read a temperature from your Schnauzer’s forehead or near their ear.
Rectal Dog Thermometers	Inexpensive, reliable, and accurate. Be sure to lubricate, be gentle, and thoroughly cleanse the thermometer after each use.
In-Ear Dog Thermometers	Measures infrared heat waves from a dog’s eardrum area. Must be inserted and can be less accurate than a rectal thermometer.
Stick-On Thermometers For Dogs	Very inexpensive and less accurate. Useful for newborn puppies to ensure their temperatures are normal.

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How to Take Your Schnauzer’s Temperature Using a Rectal Thermometer

Even with advances in technology, a rectal thermometer is the most accurate tool for determining your Schnauzer’s temperature. Be sure it is plastic and intended for pets.

1. Bring the thermometer to a normal human temperature of 96 degrees Fahrenheit by shaking it.
   
2. Apply a lubricant such as petroleum jelly or baby oil to the tip of the thermometer.
   
3. If possible, have someone else hold your Schnauzer in place. Keep her steady. This will ensure an accurate reading and keep her from being injured by the thermometer.
   
4. If your Schnauzer’s tail is docked, slowly insert the metal tip of the thermometer inside her rectum. If your Schnauzer’s tail is natural, lift the tail and do the same. Be sure to ONLY insert the metal tip. Inserting more length of the thermometer will injure her.
   
5. Hold the thermometer inside the rectum until a beep indicates a reading has been taken (for digital thermometers) or for 15 to 30 seconds for non-digital thermometers.
   
6. Keeping your Schnauzer still, slowly remove the thermometer.
   
7. Check the reading and write it down along with the time of day.
   
8. Clean the thermometer gently using rubbing alcohol.

How to Take Your Schnauzer’s Temperature Using an In-Ear Thermometer

Depending on the type you purchase, in-ear thermometers can either use mercury (like rectal thermometers) to measure heat, or can measure the infrared heat waves coming from your Schnauzer’s eardrum.

Both options can be quite accurate.

Depending on your Schnauzer’s temperament, she may react to an in-ear thermometer with the same hesitation as she does the rectal thermometer.

As with a rectal thermometer, be patient, careful, and read all instructions included with the thermometer.

1. If possible, have someone else hold your Schnauzer in place. Keep her steady. This will ensure an accurate reading and keep her from being injured by the thermometer.
   
2. Straighten your Schnauzer’s external ear canal by pulling the ear upward and outward slowly.
   
3. Gently place the thermometer inside her ear canal.
   
4. According to your thermometer’s instructions, check the reading in as little as two seconds.
   
5. Keeping your Schnauzer still, slowly remove the thermometer.
   
6. Check the reading and write it down along with the time of day.
   
7. Clean the thermometer gently using rubbing alcohol.

If you have confirmed that your Schnauzer does actually have a fever (a temperature of 103.5 and above) or has a low body temperature (below 99 degrees) you should call your veterinarian.

What Should I Do If My Schnauzer’s Temperature is Abnormal?

An abnormal temperature reading can be alarming, especially if your Schnauzer has accompanying symptoms such as vomiting or digestive issues.

You should:

• Call your veterinarian.
• Address the abnormal temperature at home or on the way to the veterinarian’s office.
• Maintain a record of body temperatures, accompanying symptoms, and any events that could have let to the change in temperature.
• Stay calm and reassure your Schnauzer.

You will also want to read my related articles Why Does My Schnauzer Have a Fever, Can Schnauzers Hack the Hot Weather, and Can Schnauzers Cope with the Cold for even more detailed information on handling your Schnauzer’s body temperature.

What to Do if Your Schnauzer Has a Fever

Call your Veterinarian	High fever is a condition that will need to attention of your veterinarian. Organ failure and death are possibilities.
Reduce Body Temperature	Moisten your Schnauzer thoroughly with cool (NOT COLD) water. Cool water is helpful, but cold water can reduce their temperature too quickly and is very dangerous.
Offer Water	Offer him cool or even lukewarm (NOT cold) water to drink. If he is also dehydrated, which is likely, offering unflavored Pedialyte is also an option. Using a dropper may be helpful.
Focus on Paws and Ears	Apply cool water to his paws and ears. This will also help to gradually, but effectively, lower his body temperature.
Open Pores	You could also consider moistening his paws with rubbing alcohol to help open pores and bring down his temperature.
Use a Fan	If available, place him near a fan to help evaporate the cool water you’ve applied.
Check Temperature	Use a thermometer (NOT a glass one that he might bite) to take his temperature every few minutes. One his temperature lowers to 103 degrees Fahrenheit you should remove the fan and stop applying water and rubbing alcohol.
Offer More Water	As his temperature lowers, continue offering small amount of cool or lukewarm water.

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What to Do if Your Schnauzer’s Temperature is Too Low

Call your Veterinarian	Low body temperature is a condition that will need to attention of your veterinarian. Organ failure and death are possibilities.
Warm Him Gradually	Wrap him in dry, warm blankets or towels. You can also place a heating pad or water bottle wrapped in towels near him (not directly on him).
Offer Water	If he is willing and able, let him drink lukewarm water.

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A concerning change in body temperature is always something you should pay attention to and address. Cultivating essential skills such as taking your Schnauzer’s temperature will help to address problems early and maintain her long-term health.

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