How To Discover If Your Dog Has A Fever
Floella McFee
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.
Feverishness is a common symptom of the body fighting infections, and is of course a sign if ill health. In humans we are aware of what a fever feels like to the touch, the first instinct would to feel how hot Fido is. A dog's temperature is naturally slightly higher than that of a human: usually about three degrees, between 37.8C (100F) and 39.3C (102.7F). Therefore Fido will normally be hotter if you feel around his ears or his nose. The question would be is he hotter than his usual temperature?
Aside from the general listless malaise Fido may be showing other, more serious signs of illness: he may be scratching; he may have diarrhoea, or vomiting; he may find it difficult to move because of pain. If it is uncertain from touch just how hot Fido actually is, then the only sure method is by using a thermometer.
The usual method of taking a dog's temperature with a thermometer is via the rectum. Obviously this will not be the most enjoyable experience for poor old Fido, particularly if he's not feeling at his best. Insertion can be made easier by coating the thermometer with petroleum jelly.
A temperature slightly above 102F might indicate only a mild fever, and as with humans, this is not necessarily a bad thing: a mild illness often helps to boost the immune system. Therefore generally Fido should be kept comfortable, insuring that he doesn't dehydrate. The temperature should be monitored at regular intervals to see if it alters. It should also be noted that faeces may be the causing a false reading, so it's best to check after Fido has relieved himself. If the temperature begins to rise, or is taken at 105F or above then this indicative of a serious illness and requires immediate consultation with a vet.
About the Author:
Is your puppy barking, nipping, biting, aggressive, fearful, struggling with potty training, or suffering from other unwanted behavioral issues? Banish almost any dog behavior problem overnight with these astounding new dog training techniques!
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