Just like humans, dogs can also get a fever, which is reflected in an increased body temperature. In this article, you will find out how fever in dogs can be measured correctly and when something needs to be done about it.
Fever in the dog: an indication of an illness
Fever in dogs is not a disease itself but indicates that the organism is defending itself against external attacks. It is always a symptom whose cause needs to be investigated. A fever up to a certain level is not dangerous for the dog, but if it gets too high it can become life-threatening and needs to be brought down by the vet.
If the temperature is only slightly elevated or as a first aid measure, home remedies can also help the animal. Not every mild fever should be treated directly with medication, as this prevents the body from developing its natural defense reaction.
When does a dog have a fever?
When the immune system is attacked by bacteria, viruses, or other foreign objects, it turns on its machinery to fight the invaders. The body produces more white blood cells, which act as defenders against the attackers. This increased activity of the immune system is accompanied by an increase in body temperature. Because when pathogens get into the organism, messenger substances send a message to the part of the brain that controls the body’s heat balance.
The brain then gives the command to the other organs to boost heat development in the body. The muscles work harder, which can show up as muscle tremors. Heat loss through the skin is reduced, which is why the patient often has cold extremities and bouts of chills. The heart and lungs work at high speed, resulting in a high heart rate and accelerated breathing.
When the peak temperature is reached, the whole body feels hot and the head glows. Once the invaders are defeated, body temperature begins to drop again, and profuse sweating helps the individual. Dogs, on the other hand, do not cool themselves down through sweat, but through increased panting.
How does the dog’s body react to fever?
When a dog has a fever, it usually suffers from a loss of appetite and appears listless and listless. His breathing quickens and he is panting heavily. The rise in temperature can also be felt, preferably on the ears and on the less hairy areas on the abdomen and under the armpits. If the fever rises, the dog can also get chills and its fur bristle.
Other signs are a dry nose and what is known as febrile stool, which is very hard and dry because the dog’s intestinal activity has decreased. In the worst case, the animal refuses not only to eat but also to drink, which leads to dehydration.
Normal temperature in dogs
A dog’s body temperature is slightly higher than that of humans. It is between 37.5 and 39 degrees in the normal range and only at a temperature of at least 40 degrees does a dog have a fever.
Because brief physical exertion can affect temperature, not every increase is a cause for concern. For example, a perfectly healthy dog can have a body temperature of 39.5 degrees after a long sprint. The temperature can also rise slightly when eating, driving, and playing intensively.
From 41 degrees, however, the situation becomes threatening for the dog, and if the fever rises to 42 degrees, the animal is in acute danger of death. Puppies have a slightly higher body temperature than adult dogs. Temperatures of 39.5 degrees at rest are still normal for young four-legged friends.
When does a dog have a fever?
The normal body temperature for adult dogs is between 37.5 and 39 degrees, for puppies up to 39.5 degrees. When a dog has a resting body temperature of 40 degrees or more, it is suffering from a fever.
Veterinary point of view: different types of fever in dogs
In veterinary medicine, fever is classified according to its duration and its type. A distinction is made between ephemeral, acute, subacute, and chronic fever.
Ephemeral: only lasts a maximum of one day
Acute: lasts 8 to 14 days
Subacute: lasts 14 to 21 days
Chronic: lasts for more than three weeks
Depending on which temperature fluctuations occur, the fever is described as remitting, intermittent or recurrent, or classified as atypical.
Remittent: Fluctuations of more than 1 degree within a day
Intermittent: Feverish phases alternate with fever-free phases
Recurring: The feverish phases predominate
Atypical: No pattern can be discerned
Fever in dogs: Typical symptoms & signs
The most obvious symptom of fever in dogs is their increased body temperature, which can be measured and, in some places, easily felt. Another symptom is an increased pulse of more than 120 in a small and 100 in a medium to large dog. In addition, the dog will pant as its breathing accelerates and its fur will ruffle as a result of the chills.
The four-legged friend may crawl away and lie down on a cold floor. Symptoms can also include loss of appetite and listlessness, and if the dog has a high fever, it can also vomit.
Other symptoms include:
- Strong panting
- chills
- Increased heart rate
- feces (dry & solid)
- Fatigue & exhaustion
- loss of appetite
- Warm dry nose
- hot ears
How do I know if my dog has a fever?
The safest method of determination is to measure the fever with a thermometer. A thermometer with a digital display that shows the temperature after just a few seconds is particularly suitable for dogs.
Measure fever in dog
Measuring the temperature of a dog is not an easy task, because the animal does not like it at all. It is, therefore, best to ask a second person to help hold the patient. The methods of measuring in the mouth or in the ear that are practical for humans are unsuitable for dogs. Because the four-legged friend does not voluntarily keep the thermometer in its mouth for a few seconds, and when measuring the ear, the result can be greatly falsified by the many tiny hairs in the ear canal. Exact results can therefore only be achieved with a rectal measurement.
The thermometer is greased with petroleum jelly or a similar lubricant and gently inserted one to two centimeters into the dog’s anus. After a short time, it is pulled out and cleaned, and the temperature can be read. The thermometer must then be thoroughly disinfected and may only be used for the dog in the future.
When taking a temperature, the right time is important. Because the dog’s body temperature could have increased temporarily due to stress or exertion. Therefore, there should be a break of at least one hour between sporting activities and the measurement process.
What do clinical thermometers do especially for dogs?
There are special clinical thermometers for dogs with an accurate digital display that lead to very fast measurement results. In principle, a classic glass thermometer for humans is just as suitable for animal patients. However, if you have problems keeping your four-legged friend still for long enough, a dog thermometer can make your work much easier. If, on the other hand, the dog is a particularly good-natured fellow who puts up with the temperature measurement without fidgeting, the measurement also works without any problems with a traditional thermometer.
Measure fever without a clinical thermometer
If you don’t have a thermometer handy, you can try to feel the dog’s body temperature. The ears and paws in particular feel noticeably hot when there is a fever, and the heat can also be felt in the loin area. Even if you put the back of your hand on the sparsely hairy areas under the armpits, with a little experience you can determine whether the dog has a very high temperature and needs to go to the vet. When measuring on the ear, it should be noted that if you have a fever, both ears feel about the same hot. If only one ear is warm, the dog probably has a unilateral ear infection but does not have a fever.
How do you measure a dog’s fever?
Fever in dogs can only be measured rectally, so the clinical thermometer must be inserted into the anus. After the thermometer has been greased well, a human helper should hold the dog and ensure that it remains in position throughout the measurement process.
Common causes of fever in dogs
As in humans, fever in dogs is usually caused by an infection by bacteria or viruses. Among the various causes, the six most common can be roughly identified:
- bacterial inflammation,
- viral infections,
- parasites,
- absorption of toxins,
- chronic inflammation and
- Tumors or immune-related diseases.
Fever can be caused by any bacterial infection anywhere in the body, such as inflammation of the bladder, liver, intestines, or heart. Inflammation of the skin, inflammation of the gums and abscesses on all parts of the body can also be causes of fever. A dog often gets a feverish infection after being bitten by another four-legged friend. Pathogens can also be transmitted through tick bites. Finally, a bitch that is not spayed can also have an infection of the uterus.
Viral infections such as tonsillitis or flu can also be accompanied by fever in dogs. These diseases can usually be recognized by other symptoms, such as the dog coughing, retching frequently or having a sniffling nose. Dogs that have a lot of contact with unvaccinated conspecifics can contract kennel cough, an infectious tracheobronchitis accompanied by fever and a dry cough. The dog’s body often reacts with a slight fever when it has been vaccinated against pathogens. The body temperature then usually remains in the harmless range and regulates itself again within a short time.
The most dangerous parasites that can infect dogs are the unicellular giardia and coccidia. Intestinal parasites and babesia, which are often transmitted by ticks, also cause diseases that are accompanied by fever. Finally, a chronic inflammation, a tumor or an immune-related disease such as rheumatism or polyarthritis can be the cause of the elevated temperature.
Why does a dog get a fever?
Fever occurs as a side effect of numerous diseases. The cause can be a bacterial or viral infection. Poisoning, vaccination reactions, and chronic inflammation are also common triggers.
Proper treatment of fever
The most important thing in treating a fever is determining the cause. Only if the underlying disease is combated can the fever be permanently reduced and it will not recur. However, if the dog only suffers temporarily from a non-threatening increase in temperature, for example as a result of a vaccination, there are a number of measures that can help it get back on its feet more quickly. The dog needs a cool place in a darkened environment. In order to get fit again quickly, he has to drink a lot of water and eat food that is particularly rich in vitamins.
Special herbal mixtures for dogs are also available on the market, which are supposed to strengthen the immune system. Cold compresses made from moistened cloths as home remedies can cool the dog’s neck and stomach. However, the patient must not be showered with ice-cold water because the cold shock could overtax his circulation.
If, despite all efforts, the dog suffers from a fever for a longer period of time, it must be taken to the vet. The doctor will try to find out the cause and inject a suitable antipyretic. In most cases, it is a bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics.
When is a veterinary examination necessary?
If the fever has either reached the temperature of 41 degrees or lasts for a long time, the dog must be treated by a doctor. A serious course with vomiting also indicates a serious danger and immediate action is required. After all, the fever must be brought down immediately if the animal refuses to eat or no longer wants to drink.
Dog owners should never experiment with medicines from the medicine cabinet themselves. Many of the antipyretics that are harmless to humans and therefore available over-the-counter can be extremely dangerous for dogs. Therefore, without consulting the veterinarian, the dog must not be given any human medicines.
How do I recognize a fever in a dog without a thermometer?
Without a thermometer, a touch test can provide information about the approximate body temperature. A dog with a fever has hot ears, and the skin on the hairless parts of the stomach and armpits also feels very warm.
This is how you prevent fever in your dog
To protect your dog from pathogens, it must always be treated with an effective anti-tick and anti-parasitic agent before or after going out into the wild. Sprays or spot-on preparations ensure that dangerous disease carriers cannot even settle in the fur. There are also relatively reliable vaccinations for dogs against some viral infections, such as distemper, kennel cough, and parvovirus. Vaccines are also available today against Borrelia and Leptospira. Since not every vaccination can promise 100% protection, the dog is most effectively protected from infection if it is kept away from the sources of danger.
The greatest risk of infection lurks in puddles and other standing water where pathogens can multiply unhindered. If you get your dog used to never drinking from puddles from an early age, you can reduce the risk to your health.
As a further preventive measure, dog owners can give their darling certain feed additives that strengthen the immune system and boost the body’s own defences. If the dog ever has a bite or other open wound, it must be treated immediately by a professional so that no inflammation can develop.
