Being a pet owner, it is important to know all the aspects of caring for your pet’s good health. This article provides information on how to care for your pet dog when he/she is down with a fever.
Just like humans, dogs too contract a fever that could be caused by a number of reasons. Fever in dogs is an extremely important sign of ill-health and should not be ignored. Most commonly, it is a physiological sign of an inflammation or internal infection. It may go unnoticed that your dog is having a fever until he/she starts showing signs of being unwell. In cases like this, you need to start treating the dog immediately as the fever may already be high. There are many things that you can do to reduce the temperature. As a responsible pet owner, you should be aware of a few of these methods including the signs and symptoms.
Medication
Fever in dogs can be caused due to various reasons like an infection, nutritional deficiencies, bites from other animals, an abscessed tooth, dog worm infestations, and immune system disorders. If the fever is too high, it is best to opt for veterinary treatment to lower it. Consulting a vet may also help diagnose the cause of the fever and your dog will be treated accordingly. Mild fevers that are not persistent can be treated easily at home by following some simple methods and remedies. The most common method of dog fever treatment is the administration of a low dosage of aspirin along with food to your dog. However, make sure that you talk to the vet before administering aspirin or any other antibiotic to your pet to avoid any side effects.
Remedies
You can use a number of dog fever remedies at home only in case of a mild fever. The first and most important remedy for dog fever is to keep your dog constantly hydrated. Make sure that he/she drinks plenty of water, preferably cool water, at equal intervals. In case of refusal to drink water, you will have to put small amounts into the mouth using a medicine dropper or a needleless syringe or offer him/her ice cubes to suck on. Wrap up your dog in a cool towel to lower the fever and provide some relief. You can also rub some alcohol onto the dog’s tummy to reduce the fever. Cool the temperature around your house and make sure there’s fresh air around so that your pet feels better. Placing a cold compress on the tummy or forehead will also help lower the dog’s temperature.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a dog fever may not be enough to detect its level. Also, you cannot really tell if the dog has a fever or not by checking the wetness of the nose. You should, therefore, make use of a rectal thermometer to obtain your dog’s temperature. The normal body temperature for dogs ranges between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees. If the dog’s temperature is anything above 103 degrees, it would mean that he/she is running a fever.
The following are some common symptoms of dog fever.
- Loss of thirst and appetite
- Lethargy
- Excessive nasal discharge
- Vomiting
- Unhealthy color of gums
- Excessive panting
The remedies and medication mentioned above will help reduce fever in dogs and you should monitor your pet’s temperature at equal intervals. Consult a vet in case the fever is persistent and if you notice that your pet’s health is deteriorating instead of improving. Reducing and eliminating fever is extremely important for your dog’s health and well-being.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by a veterinarian on the subject.
