Content
- How to tell if the dog is sick
- What are the signs of a dog fever
- How to measure a dog's temperature
- dog thermometer
- How to lower my dog's temperature or fever
In us humans it is a very popular custom to place a hand on the forehead and back of the body to check whether a person has a fever. Likewise, with dogs, there is a certain habit of thinking that a dog with a dry, hot nose has a fever, but unlike us humans, this is not quite true.
Dogs have a higher temperature than us humans, and you should keep this in mind when measuring a dog's body temperature to see if he has a fever or not. In this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain to you how to know if the dog has a fever. Keep reading!.
How to tell if the dog is sick
Currently, dogs are now being treated as children and family members, hence a greater concern for the health and well-being of our furry ones. Unlike when he was just an animal staying in the backyard of the house and with which the tutor had little contact, which ended up not allowing the first symptoms to be noticed quickly. Now, with dogs indoors and often even sleeping with their owners, they are closer to us and our routine, which has made it easier to notice the behavioral changes that are indicative of the health of the dog. little dog does not walk well.
Symptoms, therefore, that may indicate that your puppy is sick they are sudden changes in behavior, for example, a calm and tame dog that has started to show signs of aggression. Other signs may include apathy where the dog does not respond to stimuli, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, seizures, excessive water intake, etc.
Anyway, even if the dog is not showing any symptoms like these, but you have noticed changes in his behavior, take him to the veterinarian. This will proceed with the care of the puppy in order to find out if he is in pain, or what is really happening. Look for these other five signs that your partner may be in pain.
What are the signs of a dog fever
It is rare for a dog to have a fever without showing some other sign of infection, because the fever is a symptom and not the disease itself. In addition, a dog's fever can be a symptom of anything from mild infections to the most serious and fatal, and can be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses.
The normal body temperature of dogs can vary between 37.5°C to 39.5°C, so a temperature below or above that is already reason to seek a veterinarian, and temperatures above 40°C are considered dangerous and case emergency, and a veterinarian should be sought immediately, as it can be fatal.
With this in mind, the classic symptoms of fever that a dog can have are:
- Apathy, usually seen by the tutor as sadness.
- Nasal discharge.
- Malaise.
- Somnolence.
- Loss of appetite.
- Dull, dull eyes.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Tremors in the body.
Other signs such as dry nose, hot nose or hot ears are not always signs that the dog has a fever, so the only really effective way to check is by measuring the body temperature with the aid of a thermometer, either rectal or auricular.
How to measure a dog's temperature
To measure the dog's temperature, look for a place with little noise and at least have the help of someone to hold the dog, as it can be a somewhat uncomfortable process for the puppy. It is important to choose a suitable time, for example, when the dog is resting or resting in a shady place, not when the dog is lying down in the sun or right after exercising. Proper decontamination of the thermometer and introduce only its tip into the animal's rectum, so that it rests against one of the side walls of the anus.
It is important to point out that this technique, as it is a little delicate, requires practice in order not to hurt the dog, so if you are feeling insecure about performing it and suspect that your puppy has a fever, seek the advice of a veterinarian.
For more information on how to measure a dog's temperature, read our full article on this subject.
dog thermometer
There are also, as an option in the pet market, specialized ear thermometers for dogs and thermometers with infrared sensors. With this kind of dog thermometer, you don't even need to touch the animal besides having the ability to be very precise. However, this thermometer for dogs is sold with values a little above the average for domestic use, being more common its use in clinics and large veterinary hospitals.
How to lower my dog's temperature or fever
If your dog is found to actually have a fever, the fever will cease when your dog is being treated for the illness that caused him to develop the fever in the first place.
Never medicate your dog on their own just for fever, because in addition to masking the symptom that can be important to complete the diagnosis, antipyretic drugs used by humans such as paracetamol, aspirin, among others, are toxic and extremely harmful to dogs. Therefore, only the veterinarian will know the correct treatment and medication according to the disease that has been diagnosed.
What you can do at home is to monitor so that the animal's fever does not rise too high, and if even with the treatment the fever does not stop, it is necessary to notify the veterinarian who is following the case.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.