Fever in Dogs | Common Causes and Remedies.

Fever in Dogs is the result of an inflammation or infection which the body has to fight out. A fever is a body temperature that is considered higher than the normal range for a healthy being. For dogs the normal range is 101 to 102.5 F. When a dog’s body temperature reaches above 103 F then clearly it is suffering from fever.
Never give human medicines to the dog, the side effects may be fatal in some cases.

Common  symptoms of fever in dogs that a dog owner must be aware of :

1. Lethargy: When body has to fight with an infection it is bound to get tired. The constant battle it has to wage uses up all of the animal’s energy. The pet tends to avoid engaging in its daily activities and play as he/she feels sapped. It will turn more or less into a recluse.

2. Lethargy may be coupled with Cough, sneezing, Nasal discharge, vomiting or diarrhea. These are some other signs of fever, prompting a vet visit.

3. Loss of appetite/Anorexia: Illness creates discomfort. This uneasiness sometimes interferes with the normal desire to eat food and the pet shows disinterest in eating.

Also Read: Dog Vaccinations 101 Guide ! And why it is an essential procedure?

If you’re pet dog feels very warm to the touch especially on its ears and stomach your next step to confirm the fever should be to measure its rectal temperature using a digital thermometer designed for the purpose.  Before you insert the thermometer coat it with petroleum gel/oil. Only about one inch should be placed inside the dog’s anus. In about 60 seconds this instrument will be able to record the dog’s accurate body temperature.

Image – wagwalking.com

Causes of Increased body temperature

1. Infections that lead to fever are fungal, bacterial or viral in nature and may afflict any part of the body.
2. After vaccination a dog may develop mild fever that may last upto 48 hours. This fever is the immune system’s response to the vaccine.
3. Consuming poisonous substances, human medicines and certain foodstuffs unfit for dogs can lead to fever.
4. Heat stroke is a condition characterized by a rise in body temperature. It is caused when a dog is exposed to hot weather conditions or has exercised a lot on a hot summer day.

When a dog’s temperature reaches 106 F it is an emergency like situation and can lead to fatal consequences such as damaging the animal’s internal organs. A temperature that is above 103 F is a reason enough to worry & involve a veterinarian. Image -YouTube

Immediate assistance at home will include the following:

A dog parent can apply cool water on the dog’s fur, focusing on the ears and feet; this will help lower the temperature. Fanning the moist coat or simply exposing it to a fan will further bring down the temperature. During this process a parent has to keep a track and measure the rectal temperature as this cooling-off procedure needs to be stopped once a temperature of 103 F is attained. It’s always best to speak to your pet’s vet before you begin any action targeted at bringing down the dog’s fever.

Encourage the canine to drink some water after regular intervals as keeping the body adequately hydrated is very important during a fever.

Never give human medicines to the dog as it may lead to something as grave as death.

A trip to the veterinarian’s clinic must not be avoided. A doctor will administer the right set of medicines. He/she may also recommend a blood work to ascertain the exact cause of fever. In case of high fever the pet will most likely be put on IV fluids.