One of the best things to do in the world is snuggling with your furry best friend. Our dog’s body is constantly warm to touch, as they have a higher normal body temperature than we humans do. Just like humans, dogs get fevers and we need to know when our dog is sick and when it is time to visit the vet.
Dogs have an average body temperature of 101 to 102 degrees celsius, which is normally considered a high fever in humans. Knowing if your dog is sick can help prevent fatal complications while at the same time, ensuring your dog stays happy and healthy.
A fever is a symptom that something is going on inside your dog’s body. It indicates that he is not healthy and unwell. Your dog can’t tell you when he has a fever. If he is displaying any of the symptoms of illness, consult your vet immediately.
Lethargy/ lack of energy
Most healthy dogs are fairly active, if your dog’s activity levels have decreased, he might not be feeling well.
Warm ears
This could indicate that your dog has a higher body temperature, but could also be a sign of early infection. Look into his ears to see if there are any signs of yeast, bacteria or mites. If there isn’t any, he could be running a fever.
Warm, dry nose
Dog’s noses are not wet every single time, but if your dog’s nose is dry throughout most of the day, it might indicate that he is not feeling well.
Loss of appetite
When dogs are not eating normally, it is a sign that something is not right. If your dog refuses to eat, it could mean he is having a fever.
Vomiting
It could mean that your dog ate something they shouldn’t have or it could also be a symptom of an underlying illness. If your dog vomits after eating, and is not drinking water, he might have a fever. Consult a vet if the vomiting persists for more than a day as this could result in dog dehydration.
The symptoms listed above could indicate that your dog might be having a fever. However, the only accurate way to know whether your dog has a fever is to check their temperature or have a professional to check on their temperature.
There are many reasons why dogs have fevers. It could be due to internal or external factors such as an infection, accidental ingestion of poisonous materials, and vaccinations. An infection or inflammation can result in a fever in pets as their immune system attempts to fight it off. Ingestion of poisonous materials can also cause fever. If you suspect that your dog has ingested a toxic substance, bring them to the nearest emergency vet the soonest possible.
Some pets experience low grade fever 24-48 hours after a vaccination. This usually resolves after a few days, but be sure to monitor your dog and consult your vet if their condition doesn’t improve. When your dog has a fever, your vet will likely run tests to determine what’s causing the fever in your dog.
The only way for us to accurately assess if our dog is running a fever, is through the use of thermometers. There are digital rectal or ear thermometers specially made for pets available in the market. It would be good to have it at home so that you can check your dog’s temperature whenever you sense that something is amiss.
For rectal thermometers, first lubricate it with petroleum jelly before gently inserting it about an inch into your dog’s anus and then remove it as soon as you get a reading. For ear thermometers, it measures the infrared heat waves that are emitted from the area around the eardrum. The thermometer is placed deep into the horizontal ear canal to obtain an accurate reading.
A dog is considered to have a fever when his temperature is 103 degrees celcius or higher. You can help to reduce your dog’s fever by using a soaked towel or cloth to apply cool water around his paws and ears. Monitor your dog closely and coax him into drinking some water. If he refuses to drink any, he could become seriously dehydrated and may need to head to the vet to receive IV fluids. Temperatures that are 106 degrees celcius or higher can damage their internal organs and can be fatal. Don’t hesitate and bring your dog to the nearest emergency vet who can take care of them immediately!
Any views or opinions communicated on this page belong to the author and do not represent the views or opinions of any other organizations. This article is meant for us to share our own views and opinions in general. Kindly consult a professional if you would like to seek professional advice.
Adopted from sources
– Fever in Dogs: Causes, Signs, and Treatment. By AKC Staff, Animal Kennel Club.
(https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-fever-and-temperature/)
– Do Dogs Get Fevers? 5 Signs And Symptoms. By Dr. Zach Coston, Dutch.
(https://www.dutch.com/blogs/dogs/dog-fever)
– Images of dogs, Pixabay, Pexels, Dutch.com.
(https://pixabay.com/photos/english-cocker-spaniel-dog-puppy-5937757/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-vet-checking-a-sick-rough-collie-6235231/
https://www.dutch.com/blogs/dogs/dog-has-a-fever
https://www.dutch.com/blogs/dogs/dog-fever)