Page 251 - ATP-P 11th Ed

K9 EVALUATION AND TREATMENT PROTOCOL

VITAL SIGNS OF CANINES
Parameter Value Parameter Value
Pulse 60–120bpm HCT/PCV 37–55%
Respiration 8–24bpm SpO 95–100%
2
Temp 100–102.5° F EtCO 35–45mmHg
2 SECTION 2
CRT <2sec Total Protein 5–7.5g/dl

1. Temperature:
a. Normal Rectal Temp: 100–102.5° F
b. Temperature after exercise: 103–106° F. Temperature should return to normal
within 15min after completion of work.
2. Pulse
a. Normal pulse rate will vary from 60–120bpm. Can beat up to 150 with exercise.
b. The pulse rate and respiratory rate will vary from dog to dog, and will also
vary if the dog is at rest or working.
c. The femoral artery is located on the inside of a dog’s rear thighs. Take your
hand as if you were passing someone a plate, grab the dog on the front of their
thigh with your fingers inside the thigh, and palpate the artery.
3. Normal respiratory rate for an adult dog will vary between 8–24 respirations per
minute.
4. Capillary refill time: less than 2 seconds
5. Mucous membrane color: generally pink

SPECIFIC WEIGHT-RELATED DRUG DOSES ARE AT THE END OF THIS
PROTOCOL. MOST DOG HANDLERS WILL CARRY A DRUG CARD
FOR THE DOG.

Monitoring
1. Pulse Ox – Placed on tongue, ear, or other nonpigmented highly vascular area such as
the lip, vulva, or prepuce.
2. EKG – Alligator clips behind each elbow and above left knee. If you do not have alliga-
tor clips place the buttons or leads behind the largest pad on the foot. Sticky pads can
also be placed on the largest pad on the foot of the left and right forelimbs and the left
hind limb.

240 SECTION 2 TACTICAL MEDICAL EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS (TMEPs) ATP-P Handbook 11th Edition 241