Fever is a serious condition: the only way to take your dog’s true body temperature

Like people, dogs can have a fever. When your dog starts to act strangely and you think they might be sick, you may want to take their temperature before you make an appointment with the doctor.

Based on PetMD and VCA Animal Hospital animal health sites, we discuss below how to tell if a dog has a fever and how to take a dog’s body temperature.

What do we mean by fever and when is a dog considered to have a fever?

A healthy dog has a body temperature of about 38 to 39 ̊C. The reason for the relatively large variation is that the final number can depend largely on the coat and the climate in which the dog was raised.
And of course, the amount of fat on the four-legged one, how excited they are, their age and the temperature of the environment can also be a factor. However, the golden rule is that if the dog’s body temperature persistently goes above 40 ̊C or below 37.2 ̊C, they should be taken to a doctor. The former is a fever, the latter a chill. About a cold read more here.

Fever appears when the animal has an underlying disease, usually an infection (bacterial, viral, fungal) that forces the immune system to react. The symptom – because fever itself is not a disease, but a symptom – is another common cause of inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

Hyperthermia, i.e. overheating, can also lead to an increase in the dog’s body temperature. This can have fatal consequences if not treated immediately, i.e. if the dog’s body temperature is not brought back to normal. About overheating from this article from this article.

When a dog’s body temperature rises above 39.5 ̊C, the animal will pant in an attempt to cool themselves.
They become clearly lethargic and may refuse food. Body temperatures above 41 ̊C can have serious, life-threatening effects on the dog’s body, as organs start to overheat and shut down.

How to tell if a dog has a fever

Unlike humans, touching the dog’s forehead does not help in this case and, contrary to popular belief, the temperature of their nose is not relevant. The best way to tell if your dog has a fever is to use a thermometer. As their body temperature can vary throughout the day, it is a good idea to take their temperature several times during the day. You can take it when they are awake or at rest for long periods of time.

The following symptoms can also help us discern the situation:

• weakness and lethargy;
• reduced appetite;
• disinterest;
• wheezing;
• sparkling eyes;
• shivering.

Depending on what is causing the fever, the dog may also experience vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty urinating, ear or tooth pain or lameness. Measure as follows:

• The most accurate readings are obtained by placing a thermometer in the dog’s rectum. To make the process more comfortable, apply a lubricant to the tip of the thermometer. This could be petroleum jelly or virgin coconut oil.
• Ideally, you should have someone to hold the dog for you so that they cannot move during the operation. This is not a pleasant process, so try to be calm and gentle.
• Place the thermometer in the anus of the dog about 2.5 cm away, then hold it in as described on the device for as long as you need or until it beeps.

Body temperature monitors used on the forehead or under the arms are not as accurate. This is important, because as you can see, a difference of one degree can make a big difference.

If your dog has a fever, do this

In case your pet has a mild fever but is eating and drinking normally and defecating as usual, you just need to phone the veterinary office. Tell the doctor about the dog’s current condition and make an appointment for a check-up. If, however, they are not eating, lethargic and vomiting, seek emergency care! In case the fever is not due to illness but is a case of hyperthermia, you should also seek immediate emergency care.

High temperatures can lead to multiple organ failure and potentially death if not treated properly. In the meantime, you can try to cool your dog at home with a bath or fan. But do not force them to drink large amounts of cold water.

If the dog’s temperature is above 40 ̊C, emergency care should be sought immediately, especially if you experience lethargy, chills, vomiting or other severe symptoms.

Under no circumstances should you give your dog any medication for humans or left over from a possible previous illness. Inappropriate or incorrectly dosed medication can cause the death of the animal!