While you can expect your dog to get a little warm while playing or during summertime, a fever can also make them overheat. Here, our vets at Animal Emergency Clinic of San Diego discuss the signs and symptoms of fever in dogs and how we can treat them at our emergency clinic in Poway.
How hot is too hot?
When your dog feels healthy, their body temperature will naturally range between 101° and 102.5° Fahrenheit, which is significantly higher than that of humans, who range from 97.6° to 99.6° F.
A dog's fever is a temperature of more than 103° F. A high fever in dogs is 106° F or higher, which could result in serious and fatal complications.
If your dog has a high fever, our internal medicine veterinarians in Poway recommend bringing them to urgent care as soon as possible.
What is the best way to take my dog's temperature?
Unfortunately, determining if your dog has a fever isn't as straightforward as it may seem. Their body temperature can fluctuate depending on their level of excitement and activity. Did you know that their internal temperature also changes depending on the time of day? Therefore, it is important to understand your dog’s healthy temperature. You can determine this by noting your dog's temperature for several days and at various times.
While many people believe that a dog's nose is key to determining whether or not your dog has a fever, this is not an accurate indicator that your dog has a fever.
A rectal thermometer is the only surefire way to tell if your dog is warmer than they should be. Some pet stores carry thermometers made just for pets. You should keep a separate thermometer just for your dog and store it where you keep your dog’s supplies.
Start by lubricating the tip of the thermometer with petroleum or water-soluble lubricant. Then, lift your dog’s tail to the side and carefully insert the thermometer about one inch into their rectum. If possible, have a second person assist you by holding under the dog’s hind legs to prevent your dog from sitting. Once the thermometer temperature has registered, you can carefully remove it.
What are the common causes of fevers in dogs?
This is not an exhaustive list of reasons why a dog may develop a fever, but some of the most common reasons include:
- A bacterial, fungal, or viral infection
- An ear infection
- An infected bite, scratch, or cut
- Tooth infection or abscess
- Urinary tract infection
- Ingestion of poisonous substances
Sometimes, you will just be unable to determine the cause of the fever. This is often referred to as a fever of unknown origin or FUO. In these cases, a fever could be caused by underlying immune system disorders, bone marrow problems, or cancer.
Our 24-hour veterinarians in San Diego offer emergency veterinary internal medicine to help diagnose and treat pet conditions.
What symptoms accompany a fever?
Chances are that you will notice unusual behavior before you notice a change in your dog's temperature. You should keep a careful eye on your dog and take note of your dog's symptoms. Any combination of the following symptoms indicates that you should check your dog’s temperature.
The typical symptoms of fever in dogs include:
- Red or glassy-looking eyes
- Warm ears or nose
- Shivering
- Panting
- Runny nose
- Decreased energy
- Loss of appetite
- Coughing
- Vomiting
How can you treat your dog's fever quickly?
If your dog’s fever is 106° F or higher, immediately take your dog to our Poway emergency animal hospital.
If your dog has a fever of 103° F or more, you can help to cool their body temperature by applying cool water with a soaked towel or cloth to their ears and paws and running a fan near them. Stop applying the water when your dog’s temperature drops below 103° F. Continue monitoring your dog closely to ensure the fever doesn’t return.
Try to coax your dog to drink small amounts of water to stay hydrated, but don’t force your dog to drink.
It is important never to give your dog human medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These medications can be poisonous to your dog and cause serious injury or death.
If your dog exhibits any other symptoms, such as shivering, panting, and vomiting, please bring them to Animal Emergency Clinic of San Diego right away.
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.