Accuracy of auricular temperature determination as body temperature index and its daily rhythmicity in healthy dog

To establish the accuracy of the auricular temperature assessment in alternative to the rectal temperature determination in canine medicine, we compared the rhythmicity of rectal temperature with the rhythmicity of auricular temperature in healthy dogs. Eight Rottweilers, eight Beagles and eight Teckels were housed in individual pens under natural photoperiod and environmental conditions. Rectal and auricular temperatures were recorded every 3 hours over a 48 hour period. A significant effect of time of day, breed and side of temperature collection on the temperature values was observed. Strong similarity between rectal and auricular temperature trend and daily rhythmicity was observed. In dogs, it could be possible to utilize auricular temperature for estimating body temperature, taking into consideration that it is 1.3°C lower than rectal temperature.