You may have heard that you can tell if your dog has a fever by touching its nose. A cold and wet nose is good, but a hot and dry nose means a fever. However, this is not true. In fact, fever in dogs often remains unidentified or unrecognized. One of the reasons that makes it difficult to diagnose fever in dogs is that a dog’s normal body temperature is naturally higher than that of humans. In this article, we will discuss the causes of high fever in dogs, symptoms, and ways to control it.
About Fever in Dogs
A dog’s normal body temperature ranges from 38.3 to 39.2 degrees Celsius, while for humans, it is between 36.4 and 37.5 degrees Celsius. This means that your dog may appear to have a fever even when its body temperature is completely normal.
The term “fever” is usually used to describe an increase in body temperature due to infection or inflammation. A temperature above 39.4 degrees Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit) is considered a fever in dogs, although a temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius can also occur when a dog is very excited or stressed.
When dogs have elevated temperatures due to high external temperatures or excessive physical activity in humid conditions, it is referred to as hyperthermia or heatstroke. When the temperature reaches 41.1 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit), serious and life-threatening complications can occur.
Symptoms of Fever in Dogs
Although there are no definitive symptoms, some signs may indicate illness and fever in dogs, including:
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Shivering
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Nasal discharge
How to Diagnose Fever in Dogs
The only accurate method to diagnose an increase in a dog’s body temperature is by measuring the rectal or anal temperature. Professionals recommend using a digital thermometer specifically designed for measuring dogs’ rectal temperature. Most thermometers designed for humans are not suitable for this purpose. To measure your dog’s temperature, first, coat the thermometer with a lubricant such as petroleum jelly or baby oil. Then gently insert the thermometer about one inch into the dog’s rectum and wait for the result. Most thermometers designed for this purpose show the temperature in less than 60 seconds.
What Causes Fever in Dogs?
A dog’s fever can have multiple causes. In fact, various diseases and conditions can cause and exacerbate a dog’s fever. Some of the diseases that can raise a dog’s temperature include:
Infection: Infection can have various causes, including bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases. Infection can occur in any part of a dog’s body, such as the lungs (pneumonia), kidneys (pyelonephritis), brain (encephalitis), or even the skin. The symptoms you observe depend on the location of the infection and its underlying cause. Some infections, such as fungal diseases, can affect multiple areas of the body simultaneously.
Vaccination: A mild fever for 24 to 48 hours after vaccination is not uncommon and occurs due to the interaction between the vaccine and the dog’s immune system.
Toxins: Ingestion of toxic foods for dogs, including macadamia nuts and some human antidepressant medications, can raise a dog’s body temperature.
Sometimes, the cause of fever in dogs is not easily identifiable; this condition is known as “fever of unknown origin” or FUO. The main possibilities for fever of unknown origin in dogs include immune system disorders, bone marrow problems, undiagnosed infections, and cancer.
Home Care and When to See a Veterinarian
If your dog’s body temperature exceeds 39.4 degrees Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit), you should contact a veterinarian. Fevers above 41.1 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) are veterinary emergencies that need prompt treatment. If your dog’s body temperature is above 40.5 degrees Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit), you can reduce its fever by applying cool water to the dog’s skin, especially around the ears and paws. Using a fan on damp skin helps lower the temperature. While doing this, make sure to monitor your dog’s rectal temperature and stop the cooling process once it reaches 39.4 degrees Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit). You should not lower the dog’s body temperature too quickly. 
Controlling Dog Fever To manage fever in dogs, they should drink small amounts of water regularly to stay hydrated, but do not force them. Also, never give any human medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to your dog to lower the fever, as these medications can be toxic to dogs and cause severe harm or death.
Final Thoughts
If a thermometer shows a high fever in your dog, take it to the veterinarian immediately. Our veterinarians in the internal medicine and emergency department at the Central Veterinary Hospital are ready to provide immediate treatments to lower your dog’s fever and thus eliminate the risk of fever in dogs.
Source: webmd
