Taking (gerund) an animal's temperature is (pres simp) basically the same as taking (gerund) a human's temperature. It is usually taken (pres simp pass) in the rectum. The rectum is (pres simp) the last organ in the digestive tract. Animal thermometers are (pres simp) normally longer and heavier than ones used (past participle) in human medicine. They also have (pres simp) an eye at one end and should (pres simp)
have a string attached (past participle) to it to prevent (infinitive) loss of the thermometer into the
body cavity. To use (infinitive) an animal thermometer, first shake (pres simp) down the column of mercury. Coat (pres simp) the thermometer with sterile jelly to make (infinitive) insertion easier. Do not force (pres simp) the thermometer into the rectum. If there is (pres simp) resistance, injury may (pres simp) result.
Correct (pres simp) the conditions that are causing (pres cont) the resistance and then
reinsert (pres simp) the thermometer. After several minutes, remove (pres simp) the thermometer
and read (pres simp) the temperature on the scale. Thermometers with digital
readouts are (pres simp) also available, but are (pres simp) not in general use by livestock
managers.