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How To Discover If Your Dog Has A Fever |
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Written by Floella McFee
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Tuesday, 06 May 2008 |
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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.
by FloellaMcFee
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?
He may also be showing more serious signs of illness such as an itch which he'll be scratching; he might find it painful to move; he may even have diarrhoea and vomiting. Unfortunately only a trained professional can tell by touching a dog if there is a fever; and even then they will know that the surest way of telling is with 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.
Of course when in doubt it's always best to consult a vet, but if the temperature is slightly above 102F, and he's not showing any very serious signs of illness, then this might only be a mild fever. It may be considered wise to allow Fido to fight this off himself; it will boost his immune system. Unfortunately, as the temperature is being taking rectally, poo poo lurking in his back passage could give a false reading. Take his temperature at regular intervals, particularly after he's evacuated his bowels. If his temperature increases, or was already at 105 or above, Fido is a very ill dog and will need immediate medical attention.
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! |
