Fever in dogs
A high temperature in dogs (Fever in
Dogs) can damage their internal organs. Learn about the causes, symptoms and
treatment of fever in dogs.
Normal temperature in dogs
A dog's normal temperature ranges between
38°C and 39°C, unlike a human whose normal temperature range between 36.1°C and
37.8°C. Any temperature above this level is a sign of a virus or disease.
Symptoms of fever in dogs
There are
many signs that can indicate a fever in dogs. For example, if your dog feels
sleepy despite his long sleep at night, he may shiver and appear depressed as
well.
There are
also other symptoms that may indicate a dog has a fever:
· fast heartbeat.
· rapid breathing.
· cough.
· Dehydration.
· vomiting.
· red eyes.
· goosebumps.
· loss of appetite.
· Lethargy.
Note: Dogs can also display many other
symptoms depending on the underlying cause of the fever.
Warning:
Sensitivity to the nose and ears is not a good indicator that dogs have a
fever.
A dog's nose is just as sensitive to its
environment as a human's lips. In other words, a dog's nose tends to be dry in
low humidity environments and wet when the surroundings are high in humidity.
Therefore, there may be sick dogs with wet noses and healthy dogs with dry
noses.
Touching
a dog's ears is also not a reliable way to diagnose a fever. In some cases, a
dog's warm ears can indicate an ear infection.
Therefore,
the most appropriate way to accurately diagnose fever in dogs is to measure the
rectal temperature.
Causes of fever in dogs
Sometimes
infection or inflammation leads to a fever in dogs as the body tries to fight
off the disease. This cause can be internal or external. We mention in particular:
· A bite, scratch
or wound.
· ear infection;
· Urinary tract
infection.
· Dental problems
or an abscess.
· A bacterial or
viral disease.
· Injury to organs
such as the kidneys or lungs.
Eating toxic
products can cause dogs to have a fever, such as:
· poisonous
plants;
· household
products.
· Human medicines.
· Human foods that
are toxic to dogs, such as xylitol, a sugar substitute found in many foods.
If you think your dog has ingested a
toxin, contact your vet immediately for help.
Good to know: Vaccinations can also lead
to fever in dogs. Pets (and humans) usually develop a mild fever 24 to 48 hours
after receiving the vaccination. This is not usually dangerous and the fever
will go away automatically after a day or two, but it is recommended to monitor
the animal.
How to measure fever in dogs
The best way to measure a fever in dogs
is to use a rectal or ear thermometer. Today there are digital thermometers
designed specifically for pets.
Remember
to have a thermometer in your dog's first aid kit. This will allow you to
measure its temperature in a short period of time.
For a rectal thermometer, lubricate it
first with a dog-specific lubricant or baby oil. Gently insert it into the
anus, about 1 centimeter, and remove it as soon as you get a result.
Ear thermometers are less invasive, but
still a reliable way to take a dog's temperature. The thermometer should be
placed deep into the horizontal ear canal to get an accurate reading.
Ø Treating fever in dogs
Although a fever is not always a symptom
of a serious illness, it is important to maintain a normal temperature for your
dog. Here are some simple things you can do to bring down a dog's fever.
ü Consult a vet
First
of all, if your dog has symptoms other than a high temperature, the most
appropriate thing to do is to go to the vet. A fever may be a sign of a more
serious problem. If you think this is just a fever, there are other steps you
can take, but if you are looking for peace of mind, your vet is your best
option.
ü Wrap your dog in a wet
towel
As with humans, cold water helps treat
fevers in dogs. Start by finding a quiet place where your pet will feel
relaxed, then wrap him in a wet towel and leave for a few minutes to help him
get used to the cold water. Then dry it with a towel.
ü Try to cool it with a
sponge
If your dog won't let you wrap him in a
towel, wet a sponge and wipe the most important parts of his body, the snout,
armpits, and groin, and then don't forget to dry the wet parts. You can use a
hair dryer with cool air setting.
ü water
the dog
Water
helps treat a fever in dogs. Give your dog water to drink to rehydrate and cool
down.
ü Put it in a cool
environment
Move your dog's bed around and find a
great place to put him. If it is night time and the weather is not too cold,
then the outdoors is your best option.
ü bath your dog
Bathing in lukewarm water for ten minutes
is another option to lower a fever. Never use hot air to dry a dog, as this
will only make matters worse. Do not use ice cubes in the bathroom as it may
have negative consequences.
ü Try ice cubes
Placing
an ice pack between the hind legs is a good way to bring down a fever. However,
remember that your dog should not be wet for too long, and any wet area of
his body should always be dried. So don't overuse ice cubes.
If your
dog's fever hasn't gone down after trying any of these treatments and it's been
24 hours, seek veterinary advice quickly.
Strengthen your dog's immune system
A fever is evidence that a dog's immune
system is working hard against the pathogen. There are herbs and vitamins you
can use to help strengthen your dog's immune system:
· Echinacea is an
excellent herb for strengthening the immune system and fighting low-grade
infections.
· Vitamin C is an
antioxidant and effective in boosting the immune system.
· The dog can also
be given vitamin E once a day to boost its immune system.
· Probiotics that
support a healthy gut flora.
· Omega-3, found
in fish oils, helps reduce inflammation.
Then continue to monitor your dog's
temperature. When his body temperature drops below 39.4°C, stop using cold
water and ice. You should always monitor your dog closely to ensure that the
fever does not return. Consider taking him to the vet if he has any other
symptoms. Remember prevention is better than cure.
CAUTION: Never give your dog medications
for human use, such as aspirin, as these drugs can be highly toxic to pets.
It is always recommended to consult a veterinarian in case of fever in dogs (Fever in Dogs). It is important to find out the cause of the fever because it may be caused by an underlying illness that requires treatment with prescribed medications.