Taking a Dog's Temperature
There will be times when you may believe your dog is sick and has a fever. Possible clues that can signal the existence of a temperature are:
(1) Heavy panting,
(2) A hot, dry nose. The only way to know for certain whether the dog is sick is to take his temperature. The procedure is actually quite simple, but it must be done carefully to avoid accidentally injuring the dog:
• Use a rectal thermometer.
• Shake down the mercury.
• Apply some vaseline or other lubricant to the tip.
• Hold the dog in a standing position.
Speak reassuringly to the dog while holding him.
• Insert thermometer gently and slowly into the rectum.
• Wait about three minutes and then remove gently.
• Normal temperature of dogs is 101 deg. to 101.5 deg. F.
• Any significant rise hi temperature above this is a sign of illness. Consult your vet.

When to See the Vet
The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests you consult your veterinarian if your pet shows any of the following symptoms:
1—Abnormal behavior, sudden viciousness or lethargy.
2—Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes, or other body openings.
3—Abnormal lumps, limping, or difficulty getting up or lying down.
4—Loss of appetite, marked weight losses or gains, or excessive water consumption. Difficult, abnormal, or uncontrolled waste elimination.
5—Excessive head shaking, scratching, and licking or biting any part of the body.
6—Dandruff, loss of hair, open sores, and a ragged or dull coat. Foul breath or excessive tartar deposits on teeth.

Choosing Your Veterinarian
If you are fortunate enough to live in an area served by more than one veterinarian, you will have the choice of selecting one. For many ardent pet owners this choice ranks in importance with the choice of the family doctor. Certainly you must consider proximity and availability as well as finding someone in whom you can have complete trust and confidence. Veterinarians are highly trained professional people who have devoted years of study in preparing for this field. All veterinarians are required to have a minimum of two years of pre-veterinary college study prior to four years of professional study in a college of veterinary medicine. Subsequent passing of a state board examination is required to be licensed to practice in any state or province. Thus, your pet should be in good hands and should receive the finest care available today.

Administering Medication
At some time or other your dog will have to take medicine. The easiest way is the best way! Attitude is most important, and your dog can sense it if you feel that you are going to do something unpleasant. Pretending that you have a great surprise will enlist his interest.

I. Giving Capsules and Pills
There are two ways to go about this—the professional way and the fun way.

The professional way involves holding the dog's upper jaw with one hand and pressing his cheeks inward to cover the teeth and pushing the capsule far back in the throat with the other hand. Then, closing his mouth with both hands and stroking his throat gently to make him swallow.

The fun and easy way is to wrap the pill or capsule in a small amount of liver sausage and watch the whole thing disappear in one bite. It's a pleasure to see the grateful look and to have him come running the next tune it's pill time.

II. Giving Liquid Medicine
With a stubborn dog this is no easy trick. Most sources simply say to pull out the dog's lower lip to form a pocket and then to pour the liquid into this pocket with a spoon or dropper. Perhaps after doing this hundreds of times one becomes proficient. The typical pet owner, however, may find that giving liquid medicine is quite difficult. A quick shake of the dog's head and you are left standing there covered with medicine. We have found it necessary to be well covered before attempting this stunt. Our greatest success has come by mixing the liquid medicine into a taste tempting meal, i.e. liver and broth or chicken giblets au jus.

Care of the Recuperating Dog
When your pet is ill, he needs your love, care, and attention more than ever. That is why most animal authorities recommend nursing your dog back to health at home rather than in the animal hospital. By all means visit the veterinarian, have the dog examined and medication and treatment prescribed, but then take him home and let him recuperate in his own familiar surroundings with his own "family." You will have more patience hi coaxing his reluctant appetite and more ability in cheering him up. That personal, warm touch will mean a faster and happier recovery.

Just remember to follow the veterinarian's directions and to give all the medication and treatment as prescribed. Call the vet if there are any changes hi the dog's symptoms. If these steps are followed, the recovery should be rapid.