Ear Thermometer vs. rectal - YorkieTalk.com Forums

AMD · 10-04-2010, 12:35 PM

Does anybody have an ear thermometer...and what do you think of it?
The ear just seems so much easier than a rectal thermometer so I'm curious to know if it's as accurate etc. or why they're not more popular. (or are they? LOL)

Any opinions on either one?

yorkieusa · 10-04-2010, 12:47 PM

I was curious, too, since you mentioned it. I didn't know, but I found this:

When your dog is ill, you may have to determine whether or not he has a fever by taking your dog's temperature. It's relatively easy and all you need is a thermometer. Learning how to take your dog's temperature properly can help determine if immediate veterinary care is needed.

Your dog's normal rectal temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures may necessitate a trip to your veterinarian, depending on other symptoms. Feeling the ears, nose or head is not considered a reliable method; you have to determine your dog's internal temperature to find out for certain. This is done using an oral or rectal thermometer, either digital or mercury. Ear thermometers can also be used in dogs. They are generally fast and easy but it is essential to use a proper technique to obtain an accurate temperature reading.

How to Take Your Dog?s Temperature

MaddiesMommie · 10-04-2010, 02:17 PM

I would def. prefer using an ear thermometer just out of fear of hurting them. Maddie is the only one I have who has ever have her temp. taken and she sure didn't bend over and stick her butt up for them. The vet tech held her while the vet took her temperature all while she was trying to squat and wiggle away.

Thanks for the link on proper techniques for taking temps.

boopster · 10-04-2010, 02:34 PM

I would much rather use an ear thermometer than a rectal one -- but I did a little research and some sources say the temperature measured by the ear thermometer could be as much as 1 or 2 degrees lower than the internal term measured by the rectal thermometer. Another thing to discuss with our vet...

boopster · 10-04-2010, 02:35 PM

Oh - and if you have an old mercury thermometer, consider replacing it with a digital one. You sure don't want to risk glass breakage or a mercury spill.

AMD · 10-05-2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boopster

Oh - and if you have an old mercury thermometer, consider replacing it with a digital one. You sure don't want to risk glass breakage or a mercury spill.

Yes good reminder!
Maybe I should ask my vet to show me the proper technique to get accurate reading with the ear thermometer.

Rhetts_mama · 10-06-2010, 06:22 AM

If you ask your vet about it, make sure they teach you to use it properly. The ear thermometers work by getting a reading off of the tympanic membrane. You might need help learning how to angle the thermometer to get it to read correctly. The standard models available may also be too big for yorkie ear canals to read accurately (the same reason they aren't considered accurate in babies younger than 3 months.)

107barney · 10-06-2010, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boopster

Oh - and if you have an old mercury thermometer, consider replacing it with a digital one. You sure don't want to risk glass breakage or a mercury spill.

I have been through about 10 digital thermometers and not one of them has ever been accurate. I just always take them to the vet if I sense something is up. In the past when I have taken their temps, it's been with a rectal thermometer.

Ellie May · 10-06-2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 107barney

I have been through about 10 digital thermometers and not one of them has ever been accurate. I just always take them to the vet if I sense something is up. In the past when I have taken their temps, it's been with a rectal thermometer.

I've had the same problem. Tried two digitals. Both read low for Ellie. Will be asking her vet about a good brand to get.

OP: I'm thinking taking it rectally is generally more accurate.

Wylie's Mom · 10-06-2010, 07:00 AM

Funny...I was just talking to a tech the other day about ear therms. I have an ear therm at home, and I'd say it's 'okay'...but not sure how much I trust it.

The vet tech told me that while ear therms are great for humans...the technology is not so great for dogs (yet?) bc of the variablity - ie, hair in ear, distance of ear canal, size of ear, natural heat in dogs' ears etcetera.

AMD · 10-06-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I've had the same problem. Tried two digitals. Both read low for Ellie. Will be asking her vet about a good brand to get.

OP: I'm thinking taking it rectally is generally more accurate.

Thanks Crystal!

Let me know if you find a brand that is accurate.

AMD · 10-06-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Funny...I was just talking to a tech the other day about ear therms. I have an ear therm at home, and I'd say it's 'okay'...but not sure how much I trust it.

The vet tech told me that while ear therms are great for humans...the technology is not so great for dogs (yet?) bc of the variablity - ie, hair in ear, distance of ear canal, size of ear, natural heat in dogs' ears etcetera.

Thanks Ann for the helpful info!

Hopefully they can get the technology advancements on canine ear therms for accurate readings SOON!

10-04-2010, 12:35 PM	#1
AMD Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA Posts: 8,986	Ear Thermometer vs. rectal Does anybody have an ear thermometer...and what do you think of it? The ear just seems so much easier than a rectal thermometer so I'm curious to know if it's as accurate etc. or why they're not more popular. (or are they? LOL) Any opinions on either one?

10-04-2010, 12:47 PM	#2
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	I was curious, too, since you mentioned it. I didn't know, but I found this: When your dog is ill, you may have to determine whether or not he has a fever by taking your dog's temperature. It's relatively easy and all you need is a thermometer. Learning how to take your dog's temperature properly can help determine if immediate veterinary care is needed. Your dog's normal rectal temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures may necessitate a trip to your veterinarian, depending on other symptoms. Feeling the ears, nose or head is not considered a reliable method; you have to determine your dog's internal temperature to find out for certain. This is done using an oral or rectal thermometer, either digital or mercury. Ear thermometers can also be used in dogs. They are generally fast and easy but it is essential to use a proper technique to obtain an accurate temperature reading. How to Take Your Dog?s Temperature __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

10-06-2010, 06:22 AM	#7
Rhetts_mama Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,959 Blog Entries: 1	If you ask your vet about it, make sure they teach you to use it properly. The ear thermometers work by getting a reading off of the tympanic membrane. You might need help learning how to angle the thermometer to get it to read correctly. The standard models available may also be too big for yorkie ear canals to read accurately (the same reason they aren't considered accurate in babies younger than 3 months.) __________________ Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny.

10-06-2010, 07:00 AM	#10
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	Funny...I was just talking to a tech the other day about ear therms. I have an ear therm at home, and I'd say it's 'okay'...but not sure how much I trust it. The vet tech told me that while ear therms are great for humans...the technology is not so great for dogs (yet?) bc of the variablity - ie, hair in ear, distance of ear canal, size of ear, natural heat in dogs' ears etcetera. __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨°

10-04-2010, 02:17 PM	#3
MaddiesMommie LoveMy2 Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 4,060	I would def. prefer using an ear thermometer just out of fear of hurting them. Maddie is the only one I have who has ever have her temp. taken and she sure didn't bend over and stick her butt up for them. The vet tech held her while the vet took her temperature all while she was trying to squat and wiggle away. Thanks for the link on proper techniques for taking temps.

10-04-2010, 02:34 PM	#4
boopster Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 1,643 Blog Entries: 1	I would much rather use an ear thermometer than a rectal one -- but I did a little research and some sources say the temperature measured by the ear thermometer could be as much as 1 or 2 degrees lower than the internal term measured by the rectal thermometer. Another thing to discuss with our vet...

10-04-2010, 02:35 PM	#5
boopster Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 1,643 Blog Entries: 1	Oh - and if you have an old mercury thermometer, consider replacing it with a digital one. You sure don't want to risk glass breakage or a mercury spill.