Tips For Discovering If Your Dog Has A Fever

Fido is lying listless in his bed; not even the temptation of slobbering on Aunty Mavis is of interest to him; his food is untouched, he may not be drinking much and a nice "walkies" is completely out the question. His eyes are dull and his manner is depressed. What on earth is the matter with Fido? It is unlikely that he's simply bored with his home life; it's probably indicative that Fido might be ill; and these listless behavioural symptoms are a sign of fever.

If you touch Fido around the ears or the nose he may feel hot. Just as with humans a fever will raise the overall temperature to combat infections from bacteria, viruses and ingested toxins, the same is true of dogs. In humans touching the skin will ascertain if the temperature is raised. However, a dog's temperature is normally 3 degrees above that of a human: somewhere between 37.8C (100F) and 39.3C (102.7F). So Fido will naturally feel warm; but to a human touch how warm is warm? Fido is not in a position to speak.

It may be that he is showing more obvious signs of illness, such as scratching, pain when he moves, or vomiting and/or diarrhoea. If there is any doubt about a fever in Fido, the only way to prove concretely is to take his temperature using a thermometer.

The best method is with a digital thermometer used rectally. It would be kinder to lubricate it with petroleum jelly and to distract Fido whilst this procedure is being carried out: Thermometers in one's personal little places are not pleasant, even for a dog.

A mild fever in dog, as well as in a human is not necessarily a bad thing: it helps to boost the immune system. If the temperature is slightly above 102F, monitor Fido, and check again a little while later to see if it has altered. A mild fever should be allowed to clear up all by itself consult but a vet if in any doubt. Sometimes poop in the passage can give a false reading, so allow Fido to go before taking his temperature again. If Fido's temperature increases to 105F or above and it's maintained at that level, this is much more serious and immediate attention should sort from a vet.

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