The dog fever or dog fever consists of an increase in body temperature above normal values, which are between 38 and 39ºC, due to, for example, infection or inflammation. There are different causes of fever and we can easily measure it with the use of a digital thermometer.
Next, in this article on our site we will explain everything you need to know about fever in dogs, causes, symptoms and treatmentto apply to download it. Of course, if you suspect that your dog may have a fever, we recommend you go to your trusted veterinarian to discover the cause that is causing it and the indicated treatment according to your specific case.
What temperature is considered a fever in dogs?
Fever is an excellent body's defense mechanism By increasing body temperature, the immune system seeks to destroy the pathogen, therefore, it is a reaction of the immune system that is very beneficial for the dog when faced with an illness.
A dog's normal temperature
The body temperature of an adult dog is between 38 and 39 ºC [1], which may vary depending on the circumstances. However, when it exceeds 39 ºC we will consider that the dog's body temperature is too high and, therefore, that he has a fever. From 41 ºC we will find ourselves before a veterinary emergency.
It is common to observe irregularities in the temperature of the dog when we are dealing with a puppy, a young dog, bitches about to give birth and even very old dogs. In any case, if we observe that our dog is not able to regulate its temperature correctly and it has increased significantly, it will be advisable to go to the specialist to notify him of the possibility that he has a fever.
Causes of fever in dogs
There are many different causes that can cause a dog to have a fever, not just the ones we will show you below. For this reason, we emphasize the importance of visiting the veterinarian, since the specialist is the only figure who can make a true diagnosis. However, we will show you the most frequent ones.
Some of the most common causes of fever in dogs, whether adults or puppies are:
- Infections (viral, bacterial, fungal, or yeast)
- Inflammations
- Internal parasites
- External parasites
- Postvaccinal reactions
- Poisoning
- Heatstroke
- Insolation
- Medicines
- Hormonal imbalances
All diseases that occur with microbial infections, that is, of viral, bacterial, fungal or yeast origin, also show the appearance of fever in their symptoms. Clear examples of this are canine distemper and parvovirus.
How to know if a dog has a fever? - Symptoms
Although there are several signs that can suggest that a dog has a fever, the only way to ensure that this really is the case is by inserting a thermometer in the rectal area Even so, we will show you some signs that usually accompany this syndrome.
The Symptoms of fever in dogs are:
- Hot nose
- Dry nose
- Apathy
- General weakness
- Tremors
- Shaking chills
- Runny nose
- Eye discharge
- Vomiting
- Anorexy
- Diarrhea
- Discomfort
- Aggressiveness
- Sleep
- Panting
- Lethargy
If you are looking for how to know if your dog has a fever without a thermometer, you should look at the signs mentioned. However, remember that fever itself is not a disease, but one more symptom of a possible pathology. Therefore, if you suspect that his body temperature is too high, again, we recommend you go to the veterinary clinic.
How to take a dog's temperature correctly?
To find out if your dog has a fever, the best way is to measure his temperature with a thermometer. Therefore, below, we will explain how to take a dog's temperature with the use of a thermometer step by step. But before you start, you should be clear about some considerations:
- Choose a digital thermometer or a safe material to take your temperature.
- Relax your dogwith caresses and a soft voice to prevent him from moving and hurting himself
- If you can't, ask someone else for help and hold him.
- Smear the thermometer with lubricant or Vaseline to make it less uncomfortable.
- Insert the thermometer at least 2 centimeters into the anus.
- Wait the time indicated by the thermometer.
- If it doesn't have a timer, wait at least a couple of minutes before taking it out.
- Once the temperature is taken, remove the thermometer and wash it with ethyl alcohol to properly disinfect it.
After measuring the temperature of the dog, you can easily identify if it has a fever or not. Remember that from 39 ºC or more a dog is considered to have a fever and that, from 41 ºC, we are facing a veterinary emergency.
When a dog's temperature is low, is it also a fever?
No, a dog is only considered to have a fever when the temperature is too high. It may happen that, from time to time and due to a drop in temperature in the environment, the dog's body temperature is below 38 ºC, however, when we notice that it is below from 37 ºC and even 35 ºC, we are faced with a case of hypothermia
We would also observe some frequent symptoms of hypothermia in dogs, such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slow breathing, lethargy and difficulty finding the animal's pulse. It will be essential to call our veterinarian to tell us how to proceed from that moment to warm the dog taking into account the body temperature it shows.
In cases of severe hypothermia it may be necessary hospitalization of the animal, in order to carry out emergency treatment while it is in observation. Intravenous fluid injection or the use of enemas, for example, may be necessary.
How to lower a dog's fever? - Treatment
You are probably wondering how to lower a fever in a dog, however, you should know that the veterinarian is the only specialist trained to apply a treatment in case your dog has a fever, since a diagnosis is required indicating the underlying cause that is causing your body temperature to rise. The treatment to apply will depend directly on the pathology suffered by the animal and it may be necessary to use antibioticsor the fluid therapy
On the other hand, depending on the pathology that causes the fever in the dog, its condition and severity, it is even possible that the animal must be hospitalized to stabilize and treat it.
Dog Fever Medications
Even if we are facing a serious situation, it is very important to bear in mind that we should never self-medicate our dog There are many prohibited human medications for dogs, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which could be fatal or cause serious damage to your body.
So, when asked "what can I give my dog for a fever", the answer is to apply the basic measures that we will explain below. In addition, the best thing to do is go directly to the veterinary center or make an emergency call to receive the advice of the specialist, who will guide us based on the symptoms that the dog presents.
Home remedies to reduce fever in dogs
If you find yourself in an emergency and cannot go to the vet, you can apply some remedies and tricks to try to lower your dog's fever as first aid. However, before and after applying them, it is essential to contact the veterinarian, even by phone, so that they can tell you if these tips are correct according to your specific case. Do not forget that fever can be a symptom of many pathologies, some of them very serious, which if not treated in time put the life of the animal at risk.
So, some tips to reduce fever in dogs are:
- Moisten a sponge or towel slightly and cool certain areas of the dog's body with it, such as the abdomen, groin or armpits. Check his body temperature every 15 minutes to see what effects this process has on the dog and if it manages to lower his temperature. Of course, it is not advisable for the dog to be wet for a long time, as it could cause an excessive drop in its body temperature, causing hypothermia. Have a dry towel handy to dry it off. It will also be essential that you have a dryer and a blanket at hand to cover it if that happens.
- Keep your dog well hydrated at all times. It may be interesting to bring the drinker closer to him and even administer water directly into his mouth with the help of a syringe without a needle, always in small quantities. If your dog does not accept it, you can try stimulating him with homemade chicken broth (without onion, garlic or s alt) or with very warm wet food. This is especially useful if your dog has a fever and doesn't want to eat either.
During the entire process you should take its temperature and pay attention to all the symptoms that the animal presents in order to provide your veterinarian with all the information possible about the clinical picture. Do not forget to treat him with affection and be close to encourage him, as it will help him feel more secure and relaxed, essential in any disease process.
If after 4 or 6 hours his condition does not improve, you should go to the emergency vet
How to avoid fever in dogs?
Although it is not always possible to prevent our colleague from suffering from a pathology, some basic advice on preventive medicine can help you prevent certain illnesses. Here are some tips:
- Veterinary check-ups every 6-12 months: many diseases could be prevented and treated more effectively if detected early. Preventive medicine can save us a great deal of money and time by detecting a pathology early.
- Vaccination: It is essential to follow the dog's vaccination schedule, especially when he is a puppy. Without vaccinations, your best friend could be susceptible to any life-threatening illness, like distemper or parvovirus.
- Deworming: there are many external and internal parasites that can cause diseases in our dog that, in turn, cause fever. To avoid this, you should deworm your dog regularly, as indicated by the veterinarian. There is a wide variety of products on the market and many are quite cheap.
- Toxicidad: Identifying which plants are toxic for dogs, as well as what foods are toxic for dogs, will be essential to avoid possible poisoning. Get proper information and, if you are not sure, only offer a diet that you know is totally safe for your dog.
- Cold and hot: the environmental temperature is very important for dogs, it depends on it that they do not suffer heat stroke, a cold or hypothermia. We will prevent it from being outside for a long time if the temperatures are very low or excessively high and we will take precautions to avoid exposing it excessively.
The constant care and affection of a caregiver is the best remedy to avoid a cold or the onset of any illness. Even so, sometimes it will be unavoidable that our dog suffers from certain diseases, but by following these tips we can minimize the risk.
