Fever In Dogs, What Does Each One Mean?

Just like humans, dogs can also get illnesses and infections. One of the immune responses to these infections is fever. However, there are several causes that can cause fever in dogs and it is also necessary to look at the other symptoms together before determining the illness.

What is fever?

Fever is defined as a high body temperature caused by an immune response to inflammation or infection. The normal body temperature of dogs is around 39.5°C, so the animal will only have a fever if the temperature is above 39.5°C, but if it reaches 41°C, serious complications and even the death of the dog.

How can I tell if my dog ​​has a fever?

To find out if your dog has a fever, it is necessary to take a rectal temperature. For this, use a thermometer specially designed for use on dogs, do not use the same thermometer as humans and, above all, do not use the same thermometer you use on yourself.

To place the thermometer on your dog, lubricate it with petroleum jelly or baby oil, then gently insert the thermometer, an inch or so, into your dog’s anus.

You may need someone else’s help to hold the dog when doing this process, especially if the dog is large. Wait a few minutes.

In addition to fever, the other symptoms a dog may have include: tremors, a depressed mood that tends to lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, coughing, and a runny nose.

What could be making my dog ​​feverish?

The most common causes of fever in dogs are bacterial, fungal and viral infections. The infection can be anywhere in the body. Symptoms depend on the site of infection and the underlying cause.

In addition, vaccines can also produce a transient fever, 24 to 48 hours after vaccination, as the dog’s body adjusts to the vaccine.

Consumption of poisonous substances by dogs, such as macadamia nuts and some human antidepressants, can also cause fever.

And, of course, more serious illnesses such as immune system disorders, bone marrow problems, undiagnosed infections and cancer can also cause fever in dogs.

One of the reasons that cause viral fever is the flu. If, in addition to the fever, the dog has a cough, lethargy, loss of appetite, discharge, and appears to have a respiratory infection (look for whether it expels green mucus or phlegm), then it could be the flu. If these symptoms last longer than two days, see a veterinarian.

Like human flu, canine flu is treated with antibiotics to help protect you from secondary infections and prevent the flu from developing severely.

Flu can turn into pneumonia. To prevent canine flu, it is best to keep the dog away from other infected dogs.

If dogs are in frequent contact with other dogs, you should vaccinate them against canine flu, but the owner should assess the risks before deciding on vaccination. In any case, if treated properly, the flu virus usually disappears quickly and infected dogs fully recover.

What should I do if my dog ​​has a fever?

If your dog has a fever, especially a very high fever, it is best to take him to the vet. However, there are some home remedies that can be done to temporarily reduce the fever in the animal, such as : bathe it in cold water for 10 minutes, cover it with a damp towel and hydrate it with plenty of cold water, place it in the shade in a cool and calm place, place an ice pack on the paws, abdomen or head and correctly administer the medication prescribed by the veterinarian.