What is considered a healthy body temperature for a dog?
The average normal temperature of a dog ranges from 101.0 up to about 102.5 degrees F, a figure that is higher than the normal temperatures we know (Human temperatures range between 97.6 and 99.6).
If your pet’s temperature exceeds 103 F then he has a fever. 106 F is a very high fever in dogs and means your pet is very sick and there are high chances of serious complications that may result in death.
Understanding How to Tell if Your Dog is Running a High Temperature
It would be a hard task to identify fevers in dogs since it is possible for their body temperature to go up due to excitements or stresses. In addition to this, a dog’s normal temperature can be different in the morning, during the day, and even at night. Thus, in order to appreciate your dog’s normal temperature, knowledge of such information is helpful. You can do this by recording the temperature of your dog at specific times for a particular number of days.
A lot of people think that if you touch your dog’s nose and it’s cold and wet, your dog is healthy, therefore, if his nose is hot and dry, a fever is certain. It must be mentioned that this is not such an accurate indicator that your dog has a fever. It is also the case that no-touch thermometers meant for humans also do not give an accurate reading of your dog’s temperature.
This suggests that bringing your animal to the vet if you suspect they have a fever, or carefully taking your dog’s temperature with a veterinary rectal thermometer, are the best ways in which you can know if your pup has a temperature.
Why Use A Veterinary Thermometer
To begin, soap and water should be used to wash the thermometer; carefully rinse it off and let it dry under air in a clean towel. Next, using petroleum jelly or other water soluble lubricant at this stage, lubricate the tip of the thermometer. Then, raise the dog’s tail to the side. For instance, insert the thermometer into the rectum of your dog about 1 inch. You may ask for a second person to help you position one of your arms under the dog’s hind legs while preventing the dog from making any attempts to sit during the process. After the registered thermometer registers the temperature, you can carefully take out the thermometer.
Causes of Fever in Dogs
Similarly to human beings, dogs can also experience fever due to a few conditions. There are a couple of causes that are most likely if inflicted fever is diagnosed.
- A bacterial, fungal or viral infection
- An ear infection
- An infected bite, scratch or cut
- Tooth infection or abscess
- Urinary tract infection
- Intake of poisonous substances and including things like toxic plants human medication and some food made for human consumption that is harmful to dogs.
If after all of this tests, your veterinarian cannot find anything, he/she will list the medical condition in your dog as a fever without an identifiable source. Here, the fever are due to the non infective disorders such as autoimmune diseases bone marrow disorders or cancer.
Signs of High Fever in Dogs
In such a case you will know that something is wrong with your dog if they exhibit a marked change in their behavior. You may either closely monitor your dog, or take note of whatever symptoms your pet will be exhibiting. Considering that fever is a common symptom for other diseases, any of the following symptoms is a good reason to take the temperature of your dog or consult the veterinarian.
In dogs, the main symptoms of fever include :
- Luminous or reddened sclera – red or fiery eyeball
- Overheated ears and/or muzzle tip
- Trembling
- Exaggerated respiration rate
- There is nose discharge
- Lethargy
- Food refusal
- Sore throat
- Retching
- Bringing down body temperature where necessary
How to Reduce Fever in Dogs
Visitors are usually advised that if a dog’s fever is 106 degrees Fahrenheit and above, they should go to the veterinarian’s clinic. Immediately get in touch with the top available emergency veterinarian around you.
Fever is clinically defined as a temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. You can help to decrease the body heat of your dog by providing cooling half an hour of cool water with a soaked towel on the dog’s ears and paw and blowing a fan towards the dog. Apply the water until the temperature goes down below 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that you keep an eye on your dog so that the fever doesn’t come back again.
Try to make your dog drink a little water so that they do not become dehydrated but do not try to make your dog drink
People typically assume that a common sense medicine cabinet contains nothing dangerous to a dog, including paracetamol and ibuprofen. These medicines are toxic to your dog and will cause some form of an injury or may even prove to be fatal.
In case if they have a high temperature and also other symptoms like shivering or even panting or vomiting it is then appropriate to get in contact with your veterinarian.
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Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.