We live with our pets everyday and are therefore in the best position to know what is normal and what is not when it comes to their health.  Like humans, cats and dogs have normal vital signs and checking for variations in those is the first line of defense when they seem ill.

At some point, when your pet is healthy, create a baseline first-aid chart that lists his or her vital signs.  If you have more than one pet, do this for each dog or cat in your home.  Since each pet is an individual, a range of readings may be normal.    This will give you a comparison in the event that you suspect something is wrong and will help you assess how serious the condition might be, if first aid is all that is needed or if treatment is best left to the veterinarian.  The vital sign chart for each of your pets should include the following:

• Temperature
• Color of Skin and Gums/Capillary Refill Time

• Dehydration Test

• Heart & Pulse Rate

• Respiration Rate
• Responsiveness

Click on each of the above vital signs for more information on how to evaluate them.