
The fever in dogs or fever Canine is an increase in body temperature above normal values, which are between 38 and 39ºC , due, for example, to an infection or inflammation.There are different causes that cause the fever and we can easily measure it with the use of a digital thermometer.
Next, in this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain everything you need to know about fever in dogs, causes, symptoms and treatment to be applied to lower it.That is, if you suspect that your dog may suffer from fever, we recommend you go to your trusted veterinarian to discover the cause that is causing it and the treatment indicated according to your specific case.
What temperature is considered fever in dogs?
Fever is an excellent defense mechanism of the body .By increasing body temperature, the immune system seeks to destroy the pathogen.Therefore, it is a immune system reaction very beneficial for the dog in the face of an illness.
The normal temperature of a dog
The body temperature of an adult dog is between 38 and 39ºC [1] ( Celsius degrees ) which may vary depending on the circumstances.However, after exceeding 39ºC we will consider that the dog's body temperature is too high and, therefore, that He suffers from fever.Starting at 41ºC we will face a veterinary emergency.
It is common to observe irregularities in the temperature of the dog when we are faced with a puppy, a young dog, dogs near to give birth and even in very old dogs.In any case, if we observe that our dog is not able to regulate correctly the temperature has increased significantly, it will be indicated to go to the specialist to notify you of the possibility of an increase in canine fever.

Causes of fever in dogs
There are many different causes that can cause canine fever, not only those that we will show you below, therefore, we emphasize the importance of visiting the veterinarian, because the specialist is The only figure that can make a truthful diagnosis, however, we will show you the most frequent ones.
Some of the causes of fever in dogs , whether adults or puppies are:
Symptoms of fever in dogs
Although there are several signs that may suggest that a dog has a fever, the only truthful way to ensure it is by introducing a thermometer in the rectal area .Still, we will show you some signs that usually accompany this syndrome.
The most common symptoms of fever in dogs are:
- Hot nose
- Dry nose
- Apatia
- Sadness
- Tremors
- Nasal discharge
- Vomits
- Anorexia
- Diarrhea
- Discomfort
- Aggression
- Sleep
Now you know some of the most frequent manifestations that usually accompany the fever.However, remember that the fever itself is not a disease, but a symptom more of a possible pathology.Then we will explain how to take a dog's temperature with the use of a step-by-step thermometer:
How to take a dog's temperature correctly?
The most accurate and accurate way to take a dog's temperature is by using a thermometer and introducing it to his rectal area, but before you start you must have some considerations clear.
Take a dog's temperature step by step
Choose a digital thermometer or a safe material to take its temperature.Relax your dog with caresses and voice, to prevent it from moving and harming itself.If it is not possible, ask another person for help and hold it.Embed the thermometer with lubricant or petroleum jelly, so that it is less uncomfortable.Enter the thermometer at least 2 centimeters inside the anus.Wait for the time indicated by the thermometer.If you do not have a timer, wait at least a couple of minutes before take it out.Once the temperature is taken, remove the thermometer and wash it with ethyl alcohol to properly disinfect it.After measuring the temperature of the dog, you can easily identify if you have a fever or not.Remember that after 39 ° C or more considers that a dog suffers from fever and that from 41ºC we are facing a veterinary emergency.
When a dog's temperature is low, is he a fever?
It may happen that, in a timely manner and due to a decrease in the temperature of the environment, the dog's body temperature is below 38 ° C, however, when we notice that it is below 37 ° C and even 35 ° C , we are facing a case of hypothermia.
We would also observe some frequent symptoms of hypothermia in dogs, such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slow breathing, lethargy and difficulty finding the pulse of the animal.It would be essential to call our veterinarian to indicate how to proceed from that moment to warm the dog taking into account the body temperature it shows.
In cases of severe hypothermia, it may be necessary hospitalization of the animal, to be able to carry out an emergency treatment while it is being observed.Fluid injection may be necessary.intravenous a or the use of enemas, for example.
Treatment for fever in dogs
You may wonder how to lower a dog's fever, however, you should know that the veterinarian is the only specialist trained to apply a treatment in case of fever in the dog, since is requires a diagnosis that indicates the underlying cause that is causing the rise in body temperature in the can.The treatment to be applied will depend directly on the pathology suffered by the animal and it may be necessary to use of antibiotics or fluid therapy.
Fever in dogs, how to lower it?
Even if we are facing a serious situation, it is very important to keep in mind that we should never self-medicate our dog .There are many prohibited human medicines for dogs, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which could be fatal or cause serious damage to your body.
The best thing to do is go directly to the veterinary center or make an emergency call to receive Go to the specialist's advice, which will guide us based on the symptoms that the dog presents.

Home remedies for fever in dogs
If you are facing an emergency and cannot go to the veterinarian, you can apply some remedies and tricks to try to lower the temperature slightly, however, before and after applying them it is essential to contact the veterinarian , even by telephone, who will indicate if these tips are correct according to your specific case.Do not forget that fever can be a symptom of many pathologies, some of them very serious, that if not treated in time endanger the life of the animal.
How to lower a dog's fever?
Some tips to reduce fever in dogs are:
- Lightly moisten a sponge or towel and cool with it certain areas of the dog's body, such as the abdomen, the English or the armpits.Check your body temperature every 15 minutes to see what effects this process has in the dog and if it manages to lower its temperature, yes, it is not advisable that the dog is humid for a long time, as it could cause an excessive decrease in its coporal temperature, causing hypothermia.Have a dry towel handy to dry it.It will also be essential that you have a dryer and a blanket on hand to cover it if that happens.
- Keep your dog well hydrated at all times.It may be interesting to bring the trough and even administer water directly in the mouth with the help of a syringe without a needle, always in small quantities.If your dog does not accept it, you can try to stimulate it with homemade chicken broth (without onion, garlic or salt) or with very warm moist food.
During the whole process you should take Their temperature and paying attention to all the symptoms that the animal presents to be able to provide your veterinarian with all the possible information about the clinical picture.Do not forget to treat him with affection and be close to encourage him, as it will help him to feel more secure and relaxed, fundamental in any disease process.
If your condition does not improve after 4 or 6 hours, you should go to the emergency veterinarian .
The prevention of fever in dogs
Although it is not always possible to prevent our partner from suffering from a pathology, some basic preventive medicine tips can help you prevent certain diseases.
How to avoid fever in dogs?
We offer you some tips:
- Veterinary reviews every 6-12 months: Many diseases could be prevented and treated more effectively if they were detected in time.Preventive medicine can save us a lot of money and time by detecting a pathology quickly.
- Vaccination : It is essential to follow the schedule of vaccines of the dog.Without them, Your best friend may be susceptible to any disease that puts his life at risk, such as distemper or parvovirus.
- Deworming : There are many external and internal parasites that can cause diseases in our dog.To avoid it, you should deworm your dog on a regular basis, t at and as directed by the veterinarian.There is a wide variety of products on the market and many are quite economical.
- Toxicity : identify which are toxic plants for dogs as well as Toxic food for dogs will be essential to avoid possible poisoning.Inform yourself properly and if you are not sure, offer only a food already prepared for dogs.
- Cold and heat : the ambient temperature is very important for dogs, it depends on it not to suffer a heat stroke, a cold or hypothermia.We will avoid being outside for a long time if the temperatures are too low or too high and we will take precautions to avoid exposing it in a way Excessive.
The care and constant affection of an owner are the best remedy to avoid a cold or the appearance of any disease, such as fever in dogs.Even so, sometimes it will be inevitable that Our dog suffers from certain diseases, but by following these tips we can minimize the risk.

This article is merely informative, at Animals and Pets Online we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that it presents any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Fever in dogs-Causes, symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our section of Infectious Diseases.
References
Gabriella Tami, Vital signs in dogs , Affinity PetcareThe Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats, Rodale Press, 1996
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