Thermometer:
The little instrument for taking the temperature, or for ascertaining whether there is fever or not, is called a clinical thermometer. The kind used for animals is the same as used for people. Those that register the heat of the body in half a minute are certainly the best for dogs.
The temperature is best taken in the rectum—bowel, for here there is less danger of breaking the instrument, but it may also be taken in the mouth, as well as under the arm or inside the thigh. The normal temperature in the mouth is 99·6, under the arm 100·4 to 101, in the bowel 101·4.
When it is intended to take the temperature in the bowel the point of the thermometer should be greased, and inserted into the bowel for an inch and a half, so as to be sure the mercury is quite covered. When the temperature is taken under the arm or inside the thigh, care must be taken that the point of the instrument is well buried in the skin, or a wrong temperature may be taken. At least a minute and a half should be allowed when taking the temperature in these parts, even when a half-minute registering thermometer is used.
Thirst:
Symptoms: Excessive drinking of water in large quantities when it can be obtained. A dog, when he is suffering from catarrh of the stomach or diabetes, which induces great thirst, will drink anything, the craving for fluid being so great, even soapy or muddy water, and he will even lick up his own urine when other fluid cannot be found. There is loss of condition, the appetite is poor, the muscles waste, particularly about the neck and limbs, whilst the stomach often becomes full and pendulous.
Treatment: The quantity of water allowed in these cases must be regulated. Dogs in health drink very little except in hot weather, or when taking hard exercise, but under the abnormal circumstances in question, much more than what is taken in health may be allowed. Small dogs may be given half a pint a day, divided into four or five lots, and big dogs two quarts a day, similarly divided into small quantities. For medicine give half a drop[1] to two drops of liquor arsenicalis (P.B.) three times a day, mixed with the drinking water. If after a week the thirst continues, give from the eighth[1] to a grain of powdered opium two or three times a day made into a pill.
Diet: Avoid meat, but you may offer stewed rabbit with rice, also fish, tripe, milk, pudding, etc.