If you keep at least a twice a year record of your dogs’ vitals, you will know when you have a problem if something is out of the norm.

We have provided the chart we use for each dog in a PDF for your convenience – Get your own chart here

You can print one page out for each dog you have in your life and keep it with the first aid supplies you keep, or should keep. Another option is an inexpensive clip board to keep the health records together.
An easy way to remember to do this is to make it part of your Holiday traditions, for example; New Year’s Day and the 4th of July, Easter and Thanksgiving, Memorial Day and Labor Day. While you are taking all these readings, take the time to check your supplies for expiration dates and over all freshness of supplies.
Body Temperature (I have provided a link to the type of thermometer I prefer in the left hand column)
Canine “normal” body temperature range is 100.5 – 102.5 degrees.
A body temperature below 100 or above 103F warrants a call to your veterinarian. The best way to take your dog’s temperature is with a digital thermometer. I have glass thermometers; however they can break and with the prices of digital ones now it makes no sense to take the chance. Guessing your dog’s body temperature by the moistness of the nose or how warm the ears feel is just that, a guess.

To take your dog’s temperature can be a difficult task by yourself. This is best done with a friend to hold or hug your dog’s head with an arm around the shoulder and the other hand over the muzzle. If you must do it yourself, I prefer to lay them down so they can’t wiggle so much and minimize the chance of hurting them. Be sure to use Vaseline, KY Jelly or something like that to lubricate the thermometer. Don’t have any of those in the house? Spit in your hand and smear the tip end of the thermometer in your hand. I know it is gross, but it beats hurting your dog.

Lifting the tail on your Toy or Mini Australian Shepherd can be difficult at best. If your little one doesn’t have enough tail to get a hold of, you can pinch up as much hair as you can get ahold of, brace your wrist against the backbone and lift the tail (or stub) by bending your wrist up. Insert the thermometer slowly and only about an inch deep. If you must use the glass type thermometer, be sure to shake it down first. You will need to keep the thermometer inserted into the rectum for at least two minutes to get a good reading, three is better. If you are using a digital thermometer, listen for the beep.
Respiratory Rate
18-34 breaths per minute
Respiratory rate is the number of breaths per minute. Normal respiratory rates are taken in a resting dog. A dog that is in pain, having heart or respiratory problems, suffering from heatstroke, or simply excited will usually have increased respiratory rates.

This reading isn’t as easy to take as you might think. If you can get your dog to lie down and relax, it helps; however, a standing respiration rate is possible. If they are lying down, count the number of times the rib cage expands. If they are standing you may need to stand over the dog with a hand lightly on either side of the rib cage.

I use a clock or watch that has a second hand. Wait for the second hand to be on 12, 3, 6, or 9. As soon as it gets to one of those, start counting and count for a full 15 seconds. Take that number and multiply by 4. Or, you can count for 10 seconds and multiply by 6.
Heart Rate
70-160 beats per minute
The larger the dog, the slower the heart rate may be. The smaller the dog, the higher the heart rate might be. Dogs that are in really good physical shape will have lower heart rates than dogs of similar age and size who are not physically fit (not fat, not lazy, not out of shape). Puppies typically have higher heart rates, up to 180 beats per minute is normal up to one year of age.

To take a heart rate, you can use a stethoscope, just listen with your ear, or feel it with your fingers. If you have a stethoscope, place the head under the front leg at what we think of as an armpit, pressing it lightly into the chest wall. Taking the heart rate with your ear or your fingers can be done in the same area. If you are having a hard time there, you might try finding the major artery that runs on the outside of the hind leg in the hollow near the hock joint, or the one that runs down the front of the front leg close to where the leg comes out of the body.

Using the 15 seconds time’s 4 method works as well to determine the heart rate.
Weight
This is an important thing for you to know when calling your Vet. It is a good thing to know what your dog’s normal weight and body condition, or score, is. This is the best chart I have found for making a determination of your dog’s score is provided by the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine Body Score

Most people have a bathroom scale. If you first weigh yourself, then pick up your dog and weigh again, you can determine your dog’s weight by subtracting your weight from the total weight of you and your dog. If you don’t have a scale, drop by your Vet’s office when you are out and about with your dog. Most have a platform scale they will let you use free of charge. Knowing your dog’s weight and body condition when they are well gives you and your vet a base line to work from when your dog may become sick.

Condition of the Mouth 
This is a tough one, but by looking in your dog’s mouth often, you can determine what is normal for your dog, provided they don’t have a solid black mouth. Gums should be pink and the same color from the teeth to the flue (upper lip flap) in a healthy dog. If you see redness at the top of the teeth, your dog likely needs a trip to Vet for a teeth cleaning and or a general checkup. Gum disease can lead to heart problems.

If the gums are gray, white, blue or pale in color, it can be a sign of anemia or a larger problem. Any yellow tint or shade on the gums may lead to blood tests for possible liver problems.
The color of the gums tells your Vet a lot about the health of your dog. Blood pressure can be determined by pressing on the gum for a few seconds, then watching how fast the color comes back to the same as the surrounding area. The inside of the mouth should feel warm and moist to the touch. If the tongue or gum area feel dry or cool to the touch, don’t wait to get your baby help. Call your Vet immediately!

First Aid Kit
There are a lot of different ideas about what makes up the best first aid kit. By searching the internet you can find several lists of items that you may want to include in your first aid kit. I have provided you a list of what we keep on hand for whatever might come up, including whelping. If you use a tote with a tight lid on it, this keeps everything together. I just put it in the truck whenever we travel with the dogs, and always include water from home. I change this out before we leave on every trip so it is fresh, or you can by a gallon that is sealed so you don’t have to keep changing it out. By keeping it in a tote, you keep the light off of your supplies.
Supplies I keep in my dog first aid/whelping kit: (I have provided links to some of the harder to find itmes. If you can get it locally for less money, please do so. I suggest you try your local feed store)
Rolled gauze (four rolls)
Gauze pads
Cotton Swabs
Medical tape
Ace bandages (two rolls)
Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)
Rubbing alcohol
Betadine (get a 16 oz bottle here)
One large blanket
Large bath towels (two or more per dog)
Six or so washcloths (I keep these in a zip type baggie)
Thermometer (mark the case “DOGS” with a permanent marker, you get the idea) (I have provided a link to the type of thermometer I prefer in the left hand column)
Nasal Aspirator (get one here)
Tweezers
Forceps (6 inch straights) (I have provided a link to the type of forceps I prefer in the left hand column)
Stethoscope (” title=”Bandage Scissors” href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WJHE1K/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=shatrepet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=B002WJHE1K” target=”_blank”>get them here)
One gallon of water
Bowl for either cleaning a wound or offering water
Can of Mountain Dew (source of caffeine and sugar)

Medications I keep in my dog kit:

Antibiotic ointment
Benadryl, or the generic version (allergic reactions)
Pepto Bismol
Baby Aspirin 81 mg chewable
Dramamine for travel (not only reduces vomiting but will act as a mild tranquilizer)

In addition, for pets who are chronically ill and require medication for survival, keep at least two days’ worth of prescription medication on-hand, inside the kit. This includes medications for diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, etc. If you always have a couple days’ supply in your first aid kit, you will never get caught without. When traveling, you will have time to get a refill, should you forget the bottle you keep for everyday use at home. Don’t forget to watch the expiration dates!