Dog Fever - Symptoms and Treatment

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 16 February 2021
Update Date: 22 November 2024
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How to Tell If a Dog Has a Fever (Most Accurate Method)
Video: How to Tell If a Dog Has a Fever (Most Accurate Method)

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Fever as we know it is not unique to humans, dogs can also have it, and their owners must be alert to the symptoms that warn us of it. A low or higher temperature than the dog's usual temperature can be some indicators of fever.

Remember that he cannot communicate that he is ill or that something is going on, you should be the one to control his health. It is a situation that, if not corrected, can have fatal consequences for the animal.

Find out in this article by PeritoAnimal to know the Symptoms and Treatment of Dog Fever. In addition, we give you advice on normal temperature, how to measure it, or age-related differences that can occur at different stages of life.


A dog's normal temperature

Fever is an excellent body defense mechanism. As body temperature increases, the immune system seeks to destroy the pathogen. Therefore, we can conclude that this is a very beneficial immune system reaction for the dog when faced with a disease situation.

THE normal temperature of an adult dog is between 38.5°C and 38.9°C, this can vary depending on the circumstances in which the dog is found. From 39ºC we can consider fever. It is important to know that from 41ºC our dog's health situation is really serious and can even cause death. However, the temperature of dogs is not always the same, in other stages it can be lower.

We must also take into account dogs that are not adults such as puppies, young puppies, bitches that have given birth and even very old puppies can suffer from irregularities in their usual temperature as their body, when weak or developing, is not able to properly regulate the heat.


Some of the causes that can cause an increase in temperature are:

  • Infections
  • parasites
  • Reaction to a vaccine
  • Poisoning
  • Insolation
  • other diseases

Remember that these are not the only causes of a dog's fever. It is important to consult your veterinarian to rule out serious problems and receive a proper diagnosis.

Symptoms of fever in dogs

There are several ways to measure a dog's temperature. If you suspect that your dog may have a fever, you should check this situation using a thermometer in the rectal area. You can also use other tricks with less reliability such as groping the armpits.


You can also detect fever in your pet by knowing some of the common symptoms of dog fever:

  • hot nose
  • dry nose
  • Apathy
  • Sadness
  • tremors
  • Nasal discharge
  • vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • malaise
  • Aggressiveness
  • Sleep

These are some of the indications of a dog's fever, however they can be a sign that something is not working well and a serious underlying illness. Read on to find out how you should act in this situation.

How to Measure a Dog's Temperature Correctly

The most accurate and correct way to measure a dog's temperature is using a thermometer and inserting it into your rectal area. But before starting, you should have some clear considerations:

  • The thermometer you are going to use must be of a dog-safe material. There are plastic thermometers for sale that will save you a heartache if it breaks by accident. It is very important to bear in mind that the dog can move and become agitated when he feels uncomfortable, so choosing a good tool is essential.
  • Choose an appropriate time to take your puppy's temperature. For example when you are lying in your bed. Ask someone else for help to keep you from getting nervous or try to run away from this situation.
  • You can apply some type of lubricant to the thermometer to make this moment less uncomfortable for your dog.
  • You must introduce it at least 2 centimeters to the inside.
  • Wait as long as the thermometer indicates. If you don't have a timer, wait at least two minutes before taking it off. Try to be very calm so your puppy doesn't get upset.
  • Once you have measured the temperature, remove the thermometer and wash it with ethyl alcohol to properly disinfect it.

After taking your dog's temperature, you'll know if he has a fever or if it was just a feeling of yours. Don't forget that from 41ºC your puppy can die immediately. In this case, you must call the veterinarian to come to your house urgently.

Read our full article on how to tell if your dog has a fever.

Is a low temperature a symptom of a fever?

As with us, humans, when faced with a disease we can suffer from high or very low temperatures. Although your puppy doesn't seem feverish, if after taking the temperature it sees that it's too low, it should consider that you may be suffering from some kind of illness..

Observe your dog's behavior and identify the symptoms you are experiencing to explain to the veterinarian when you talk to him.

Dog Fever Treatment

If you are not a veterinarian don't try to treat the fever yourself of your dog. Unintentionally, it can cause hypothermia or a shock situation for the animal in its attempt to lower its temperature. Also, a fever is an indication that something is not working well, so a review by the veterinarian will be essential.

In some cases it may be nothing, a simple cold in the dog, but we can run the risk of having a bigger problem that needs treatment and medication.

The veterinarian will do a correct diagnosis through exams that explain the reason why your dog has a fever (infection, heat stroke, etc.), from here on, you will apply the pharmacological treatment you deem necessary. Infections should be treated with antibiotics while other conditions may not need anything.

Tricks and Home Remedies for Fever

If you are facing an emergency and cannot go to the vet, the best thing you can do is help him and try to treat yourself at home. Don't just be guided by the warmth of your hand, you should measure your temperature as explained above. Remember that then you should consult the veterinarian it can be a symptom of an infection or a serious viral illness such as parvovirus, which is incurable if not detected in time.

Some tips to lower your dog's fever:

  • During the entire process, pay attention and see if your puppy has other symptoms in addition to the rise in temperature.
  • If it is a low fever (over 39ºC) you can simply try to cool it with a sponge with warm water in the areas of the abdomen, armpits and belly.
  • In the case of a low-grade fever you can also moisten a towel with warm water and cover it completely for a few minutes. Then dry it to avoid a cold.
  • If your dog starts to develop a very high fever (greater than 41°C) you can give him a bath with lukewarm water (never cold as this could cause shock), put him in a cool place, moisten him the head, legs and abdomen.
  • It is not advisable for it to be damp or wet for a long time. Have towels and a dryer handy to prevent sudden cooling.
  • For any type of fever, it is essential to keep him well hydrated, do not force him to drink, but make sure he is drinking water continuously, even if it is in small amounts. Help her to drink with a blunt syringe if necessary. You can also use an unsalted broth.
  • After 24 hours, if your dog still has a fever, go to your vet urgently.

Take care of him and pamper him throughout the process when he has a fever, physical contact and words can help him feel better.

Avoid giving aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen or any other type of medicine intended for use in humans to your dog if you have a fever, its use is totally inadvisable except in those cases where specific medications are advised by the veterinarian. Overdose can have very serious consequences, even death.

Fever prevention

There is no better medicine than prevention. Once your puppy has suffered from a fever, you should take some advice to prevent him from suffering from it again. These tricks and advice will help keep it from happening again:

  • Go to the vet every 7-12 months: Many diseases can be effectively prevented and treated if caught early enough. We know that not all people have the economic capacity, but remember that sometimes the cheap can be expensive. Look for a thrifty veterinarian.
  • Vaccination: It is essential to follow the vaccination schedule indicated by your veterinarian. Without them, your puppy could be susceptible to getting any disease. Although not all countries have the same vaccines, most are common in all countries.
  • deworm regularly: Although it is surprising, ticks and fleas can cause fever, malaise and illness in our dog. Deworm it internally and externally on a monthly basis. You can use whatever makes the puppy feel more comfortable, they can be pipetting, pills or collars.
  • toxicity: Identifying plants that are toxic to your dog as well as toxic dog foods will be essential to avoid possible poisoning. Inform yourself properly and if you are unsure just offer him rations.
  • Cold and heat: The environmental temperature is very important for dogs, it depends on it not suffering a heat stroke, cold or hypothermia. Try to avoid these situations by wearing dog clothes, offering them sprays in the summer, etc.

The constant care and affection of an owner is the best remedy to prevent a cold or the onset of any disease. Even so, sometimes it will be inevitable that our puppy will get sick, but by continuing to follow these advices we can manage to minimize the risk.

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.