How to Check Canine Heart Rate
If you're a dog owner, you may be interested in determining your dog's heart rate to check for fitness or illness. An adult dog's resting heart rate should remain between 70 and 180 beats per minute; a puppy may have a resting rate that goes up to 220 beats per minute.
Instructions
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Checking on the Chest
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1
Have your dog lie down on his side.
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2
Place your hand on your dog's chest just behind his elbow (the bony protrusion on the upper back side of the dog's leg) and feel for his heart beat.
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3
Look at your watch and count his heart beats for 15 seconds. Multiply this number by four to get the number of heart beats per minute.
Checking on the Inner Thigh
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4
Lay your dog on his back for this method.
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5
Feel for the femoral artery with two fingers close to your dog's belly at approximately the middle of her thigh. Do not use your thumb; you may get your own heart rate rather than your dog's.
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6
Look at your watch and count his heart beats for 15 seconds. Multiply this number by four to get the number of heart beats per minute.
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