Which term describes a condition where the body temperature is below normal?

Which term describes a condition where the body temperature is below normal?

• A. Hypothermia
• B. Hyperthermia
• C. Dystocia
• D. Zoonoses

Answer: (A)

Low body temperature describes hypothermia. It happens when an animal loses heat faster than it can produce it, which can occur from cold exposure, anesthesia, shock, or illness. In practice you’d look for signs such as shivering in milder cases, cool ears and extremities, lethargy, and, in more severe cases, slowed breathing and a weak pulse. Management involves gradual, controlled warming and close monitoring of core temperature and vital signs, using warming blankets or devices and addressing any underlying cause. The other terms describe different situations: hyperthermia is an elevated body temperature from overheating or fever, dystocia is a difficult birth, and zoonoses are diseases that can transfer from animals to people.

Low body temperature describes hypothermia. It happens when an animal loses heat faster than it can produce it, which can occur from cold exposure, anesthesia, shock, or illness. In practice you’d look for signs such as shivering in milder cases, cool ears and extremities, lethargy, and, in more severe cases, slowed breathing and a weak pulse. Management involves gradual, controlled warming and close monitoring of core temperature and vital signs, using warming blankets or devices and addressing any underlying cause.

The other terms describe different situations: hyperthermia is an elevated body temperature from overheating or fever, dystocia is a difficult birth, and zoonoses are diseases that can transfer from animals to people.