Domestic dogs are susceptible to various diseases - invasive, infectious, diseases of internal organs, complications during pregnancy and after childbirth. At the same time, it is sometimes difficult for the owner to understand what is happening. Therefore, it is important to know the list of alarming symptoms, if detected, you should urgently seek medical help. Among them are loss of appetite, apathy and lethargy of behavior, frequent stools with an unnatural smell and color, and vomiting. It is also important to know what a dog's normal body temperature is so that you can monitor its changes.

If your dog's appearance or behavior is alarming, you should inspect it yourself. The first thing you need to do is feel your nose. A healthy pet's lobe is moist and cool, but if it is hot and dry, then the dog may be sick. However, immediately after sleep, a dog’s nose can also be dry. You should also check your pulse. It is measured on the femoral artery by feeling the beat on the inner surface of the thigh. Along with the pulse, breathing may also increase.

But determining what a dog’s temperature is is more difficult, since to do this you will have to insert a veterinary or medical thermometer, the tip of which is lubricated with Vaseline, into the animal’s rectum. The measurement duration is up to five minutes. All this time you need to hold the pet in place by the head and keep the tail raised. Therefore, it is better to measure together. However, the dog may be too weak to get up, or, conversely, aggressive.

Then it will only be possible to approximately determine whether the dog’s body temperature is elevated or normal. To do this, you should feel her paws and ears, where there are many blood vessels. If your dog has a fever, his armpits and groin area will also be hot. In the groin there is a cluster of lymph nodes, which grow and become hot during illness. However, it is better to consult a specialist, since understanding that the dog’s temperature is not enough for an accurate diagnosis.

Normal temperature

You need to understand that physiological indicators, including a dog’s normal body temperature, are determined by its age, gender, and physical activity. The rectal temperature of a healthy animal should be no more than 39.0 °C. It is higher in puppies (by 0.5 - 0.7 °C compared to adults), although in the first week of life they need constant warming with the warmth of the mother’s body and breath. The temperature decreases in dogs that suffer from blood viscosity, thyroid deficiency, or have simply reached old age.

Fever and labor

It has been noted that a dog’s temperature before giving birth, about a day before the onset of contractions, drops by a degree to one and a half degrees, to 37 °C. In silent, calm animals this may sometimes be the only symptom. It is worth considering that the jump may be short-lived, and the temperature usually returns to normal.

You should check the dog's temperature several times before giving birth, as this will allow you to more accurately determine the moment the puppies are born. If the process is delayed, unusual discharge is observed, or the temperature exceeds 39.0 °C, you should consult a doctor for a cesarean section. But in the postpartum period (1 - 2 days) spotting, fever and even diarrhea are within normal limits.

Particular attention should be paid to the health of the dog after a difficult birth with a large number of babies. A bitch may experience uterine atony, when blood and mucus are not removed from it, but are reabsorbed. Toxins from them enter the milk, poisoning the puppies. For the mother, this condition threatens blood poisoning with a rise in temperature to 41 ° C and death.

Temperature and load

Dogs are known to thermoregulate by panting. At ambient temperatures above 30 °C this becomes insufficient and the dog may overheat. Immediately after eating, dogs' temperature also rises. Studies have been conducted to determine what the normal temperature is in dogs after exercise. Sled and hound dogs had a temperature of 40.3 °C after running. (41.5 °C is considered critical). A high temperature in this case indicates fatigue, so it rises faster in untrained individuals. For example, at the beginning of the season it is necessary to protect against heat stroke. It comes suddenly - the animal’s hind legs become entangled, and it falls without moving. It has also been established that the darker the dog’s color, the higher its temperature will be after exercise (the difference can be up to two degrees).

Breed and temperature

Small breeds have higher temperatures and heart rates. This is due to a more active metabolism. At the same time, the body temperature of dogs of large and medium breeds is slightly lower - from 37.4 to 38.3 ° C for adults. Dogs with narrow nostrils and a short muzzle (brachycephalic) - Pugs, Pekingese, Japanese Chins - experience problems with thermoregulation. They are more susceptible to overheating.

An animal's body temperature, like that of a person, fluctuates throughout the day and can jump due to stress (travel, change in familiar surroundings). In addition, the measurement itself is stressful for the animal and adds a couple of tenths of a degree to the actual readings.

Thus, a dog’s temperature normally depends on many factors, and its decrease or increase does not necessarily indicate health problems. The thermoregulatory mechanisms of dogs allow them to survive in different climates, provided that the animal is well fed and kept clean. So at what temperature a dog freezes and when it overheats is determined by many circumstances.

Respiratory diseases

Fever is accompanied by acute bronchitis of viral origin.

Other inflammatory diseases

In acute tonsillitis in dogs, a sharp rise in temperature to 41 °C, along with difficulty swallowing and yawning, marks the onset of the disease. In the chronic form of tonsillitis, the body temperature in dogs is normal or increases slightly (typical of the toxic-allergic form).

Infectious enterocolitis in dogs is accompanied by both diarrhea and fever. High temperature, tense (“stone”) abdomen, retention of urination and defecation may indicate acute peritonitis. The temperature rises even with mild forms of acute pancreatitis. A significant increase in temperature and violent vomiting are characteristic of acute glomerulonephritis. With pyelonephritis, a dog often experiences high fever and bloody urine, and with cystitis, there is also pain when urinating.

An increase in temperature is accompanied by purulent periodontitis (a complication of caries or pulpitis). Purulent catarrhal inflammation of the ear necessarily occurs with a high temperature. It is fraught with rupture of the eardrum, deafness and inflammation of the inner ear, which can develop into meningitis.

In diseases of the joints, for example, rheumatoid polyarthritis, the temperature rises in the acute period, decreasing in the sclerotic stage and during remission. Inflammation of tendons and joint capsules is accompanied by an increase in temperature if they are purulent in nature.

Skin diseases - purulent dermatitis, abscess and cellulitis also cause fever and fever. At the same time, it is not always determined what body temperature is in dogs, since the source of the disease is obvious.

For a hernia, a rise in temperature is one of the first symptoms of a complication (strangulation), which indicates the need for urgent surgery.

With penetrating wounds of the esophagus, a high temperature means that the animal develops phlegmon.

The most dangerous diseases with high fever

If a dog has a temperature of 40–41 °C, weakness, loose stools and pale mucous membranes for no reason, a serious disease of the hematopoietic system – lymphocytic leukemia – should be excluded.

It affects young animals and even with treatment leads to death within 4 to 6 months from the onset of the disease.

Fever and an increase in temperature of 1 - 3 degrees is accompanied in puppies and adults by an acute viral disease with high mortality - plague. Infection can be avoided through regular vaccination, and treatment, especially when the nervous system is affected, often does not achieve its goal. A short rise in temperature occurs with pseudorabies (Aujeszky's virus).

In classical rabies, hyperthermia is observed in the excited stage, and a drop in temperature occurs before the death of the animal. Cases of recovery from rabies, or rather, its occurrence in the abortive form, are rare. Rabies can be transmitted from dogs to other animals and people, and the only way to avoid infection is vaccination. The temperature also increases with infectious hepatitis, salmonellosis, and leptospirosis.

It is important to understand that temperature is only a symptom inherent in many diseases. Therefore, the only thing you absolutely cannot do if a dog has a fever is to give it antipyretic medications without a doctor’s prescription.
Their action will blur the clinical picture and complicate the diagnosis.

The exception is situations when there is no qualified help nearby, and the thermometer shows 40.5 °C or more. Of what to give a dog for fever in such an emergency, it is worth listing analgin, diphenhydramine, and no-shpu. They are given in tablets, divided into small pieces, or given as an injection. Baby syrups or antipyretic suppositories are also suitable. But still, the dog needs to be shown to a veterinarian immediately.

High body temperature is a dangerous thing and cannot be tolerated without care. If the dog’s temperature suddenly rises significantly, the owner must know what can be done at home. After all, normal temperature primarily reflects the state of health of any living organism. Each dog has an individual norm. Small breeds have lower thermometer readings, while large breeds have higher thermometer readings. During a stressful situation, the indicators increase, in a calm environment they decrease. Therefore, it is worth clearly understanding which temperature is deadly for a particular pet and which is not a threat.

What does body temperature mean for dogs?

It is unrealistic to talk about all the possible reasons for an increase in an animal’s temperature; it is impossible to protect against many diseases. However, by seeking veterinary help in time and taking a general blood test, you can save a life. It is imperative to know the normal temperature of your pet in order to correctly determine at the right moment whether the indicator has increased significantly. In humans, 36.6 is constant, in dogs this figure varies. The changes are completely natural and are related to age, breed, weight, activity, and environment.

What temperature is normal for dogs?

As mentioned above, the normal body temperature is different for each dog. For a healthy dog, the thermometer will show no lower than 37.5 degrees and no higher than 39 degrees, depending on the breed. Let's look at the thermometer readings for different dogs in the table:

After analyzing the readings, calculate the average temperature of your pet. The results may be affected by the time of year. During hot summers, there is an increase of a whole unit of degree. It is not recommended to treat serious changes on your own; the best way to help is to visit a veterinarian.

Helpful advice. In the last week of a dog's pregnancy, to record a sharp drop in temperature, it is measured twice a day. If the readings decrease by 1.5 - 2 degrees, then the female will give birth in the next 24 hours.

Reasons why your dog may have a fever

Before we find out what can and should be given to a dog for fever, let’s find out the causes. Why is there an increase in temperature, why is it so urgent to respond to it? Hyperthermia is a fairly common occurrence in pets.

The most common cause of high fever is sunstroke. Please tell me, have you noticed that many animals do not tolerate hot summer well? Being outside all day they get overheated. In this case, no medications are required, the main rule is a sufficient amount of water in an accessible place, moving to a cool place to bring down the pet’s fever.

Even those dogs who experience stress and anxiety cannot do without a high temperature. For example, a long trip in transport, a change of permanent residence, a crowd. In this case, drug intervention is also not necessary, water will help.

The main reason that you should pay close attention to is, of course, infectious, viral diseases. An increase in temperature directly depends on the occurrence of inflammation. In such situations, of course, a visit to the veterinarian is the main thing to do. Here are some reasons for exceeding the normal readings:

1. Inflammatory processes in the body;
2. Viral attacks of the animal body;
3. Infectious diseases;
4. Poisoning, intoxication;
5. Diseases of the vascular system;
6. Heart diseases;
7. Hormonal disbalance;
8. Allergic reaction;
9. Joint problems;
10. Birth of puppies;
11. Overheating of the body;
12. Stressful situations;
13. Teeth are growing.

If, during hyperthermia, the thermometer shows two divisions higher than expected, for example, 41 degrees, immediately go to the veterinary clinic. The reason may be serious. Terrible deadly diseases such as plague, piroplasmosis. Reducing the dog's temperature is not a solution to the main problem, just temporary relief to relieve pain.

Symptoms of hyperthermia

Some pet owners believe that the main symptom of high fever is a dry nose. They are mistaken, as doggies can have a warm and dry nose after sleep. Therefore, relying on this sign is stupid. Let's look at the most common symptoms:

1. Frequent heavy breathing;
2. Lethargy, weakness, indifference;
3. Appetite disappears;
4. The dog mostly lies on the cold floor, another cool place;
5. Stomach upset, diarrhea;
6. Constantly drinks water;
7. The tongue brightens;
8. Trembling limbs, chills;
9. Tachycardia;
10. Cramps.

To determine whether a dog is healthy or not, you should measure the temperature with a thermometer. Inexperienced emotional breeders, whenever the thermometer readings change in one direction or another, rush headlong to show the dog to a specialist.

Helpful advice. Observe your animal and how it behaves. Are there other symptoms besides fever? The readings may fluctuate back and forth during the day; this is normal for the animal. If the above symptoms increase, then you don’t need to bring down the temperature yourself, it’s better to take it to the clinic.

What to do if your dog has a high fever

Only a veterinarian can tell you how to help your pet fight a fever. His conclusions and recommendations will be based on a complete picture describing the state of health, depending on what a general blood test and others show. Treatment is prescribed after the diagnosis is determined. There are no exact instructions on how to get rid of hyperthermia, since it is a symptom, not a disease. Therefore, if the temperature reaches 41 degrees or more, immediately contact a veterinary clinic.

How to measure a dog's temperature correctly

We found out that it is impossible to determine the temperature by the humidity of the nose. To do this, use the most ordinary thermometer; the pharmacy sells mercury and electronic ones. Electronic is more convenient, quickly determines indicators. Each individual must have a personal thermometer. Under no circumstances should it be used by a human after a dog.

If you go to the participants’ dogs section on a veterinary forum, they will advise you to use an electronic thermometer, although a mercury thermometer is cheaper, since it will only take a few minutes to find out the result. Measuring the temperature of a simply accustomed pet will require you to sweat for the first time. The main thing in this matter is caution and calmness, so as not to harm an already sick animal.

How to make the process comfortable

1. Prepare the thermometer by taking down the previous readings.
2. Coat the end of the thermometer with petroleum jelly, moisturizing cream for children, levomekol gel, whatever you have in the house.
3. Calm the dog and lay it on its side.
4. Raise the tail, smoothly insert the thermometer into the anus to a depth of no more than two centimeters, while lightly pressing it against the wall of the intestine.
5. Wait for 6 minutes at mercury, and the electronic one will beep when the result is ready.
6. Be sure to disinfect the thermometer after use.

Other methods, but less effective

1. You can measure the temperature in the animal's mouth. But only if it is calm, non-aggressive, obedient, and does not want to chew the device with its teeth.
2. In short-haired breeds, the device can take readings if it is pressed to the groin, inserted between the skin, like in a person.

In all of the above methods, the environment should be calm, without any unnecessary sounds. Talk to your pet gently during the procedure. You can feed it a treat. If the thermometer shows a low or high temperature, immediately go to the clinic.

Help with high fever

After it turns out that your dog has a fever, you should take him to the veterinarian, or call him at home, if such services are available in the city. But it often happens that it is not possible to drive right away, so here are some recommendations to reduce the temperature:

1. It is necessary to externally cool the animal and bring down the fever. To do this, take it to a cool place, put it on the floor, and let the animal’s body cool down. But the windows cannot be opened to avoid a draft. Otherwise you will harm your pet even more.
2. It is not recommended for your four-legged friend to move; carry it in your arms, even if it’s heavy.
3. Be sure to drink small portions of clean water regularly to avoid dehydration. If you refuse, you can give your dog water using a syringe.
4. If you refuse food, you should not be forced to eat.
5. To reduce the temperature, it is advisable to apply cold compresses. It is necessary to moisten the cloth and apply ice through it to the neck. Cut very thick fur.
6. It is not recommended to treat your pet yourself. Human tablets are not suitable for animals. They can greatly harm the animal's health. As a last resort, give the animal paracetamol. But just follow the proportions, 1 paracetamol tablet is designed for 40 kg. For large breeds 1/4 of the tablet, for small breeds 1/10.

Helpful advice. Don’t waste time, take your dog to the doctor, maybe then you will save your pet’s life!

Hello dear readers! Today I propose to talk about an interesting topic: “Body temperature in animals,” and more specifically, talk about high temperature in dogs. In this article we will look at the following points:

How does temperature regulation occur in dogs and cats?

Body temperature is not a constant value, it changes throughout the day, these changes depend on age, gender, intensity of physical activity, as well as environmental conditions.

But there is such a thing as normal temperature, it is not one number, but an interval. For example, for a dog the norm is from 37.5 to 39.5, and even in this case, size and age must be taken into account. For a large adult dog, 39.5 is already an elevated temperature, but for a puppy it is acceptable. In more detail how and what temperature.

In the living body of warm-blooded animals, heat is constantly being generated; its main producers are muscles and liver. Therefore, after a run and a delicious lunch, body temperature tends to rise. When “overheated” blood enters a certain area of ​​the brain, mechanisms for removing excess heat are activated.

Most likely, you have noticed how your cat or dog, on a warm day, stretches out to its full length, and if it is very hot, it begins to breathe intensely, with its mouth wide open. This is how animals cool down.

Samych shows how to cool down properly :)

Of course, I provided a simplified diagram; in fact, the mechanism of thermoregulation is much more complex. The main idea is that the body's temperature constantly changes, but remains within certain limits, homeostasis is maintained. Deviation from normal parameters may indicate a disease.

It is also important to know that heat generation is a biochemical process, and its release is physical. Important for proper care. And yet, a high temperature in a dog is not a disease, but only a symptom.

Some reasons for fever

The temperature rises when heat transfer is disrupted or physically impossible, or when heat retention mechanisms are activated during its increased production. Now I will try to decipher what I wanted to say so as not to confuse you.

Consider a classic example: a dog was left in a car with the windows rolled up on a hot day. In such a trap, the animal will overheat due to the inability to remove excess heat from the body - it is too hot in the car.

Or you got on a bike, took your dog with you and decided to go for a ride, rode quickly and for a long time, the dog ran alongside. In this case, a lot of heat is generated in a short period of time, which does not have time to be removed. These are two examples of the influence of the environment and conditions in which the dog finds itself.

But most often the temperature rises in response to the action of certain substances, they are called pyrogens. For example, pyrogens can be parts of bacteria, during an infectious disease, destroyed body tissues formed during injury or the disintegration of a tumor.

Also, substances to which the animal has an individual sensitivity, that is, an allergy, can raise the temperature.

When I talked about a dog locked in a car, it is clear that practically nothing depends on the animal; it found itself in such conditions. Overheating occurs.

In the second case, with the development of an infectious disease, the body itself reduces heat transfer and sometimes accelerates heat generation. The protective mechanism is activated.

What does high temperature give, why does it matter?

An increase in temperature is a nonspecific protective reaction of the body. That is, there will be the same response to the introduction of a virus, bacteria, allergen, severe stress or injury. This is an ancient protection system and is not too picky.

What's positive? As the temperature rises, metabolic processes in cells intensify, energy is produced faster, interferon and antibodies are produced. The body's overall resistance to infection increases. It also creates unfavorable conditions for microorganisms.

For the division and normal functioning of cells, including bacterial ones, certain conditions are required. At elevated temperatures, many bacteria and viruses cannot reproduce normally.

Yes, long-term fever has a negative impact on the dog, but the animal's cells divide much more slowly than bacteria. Due to different growth rates, microorganisms are in a worse position.

Complications

But, in addition to the positive effects, high temperature can cause harm. First of all, the central nervous system suffers, the animal becomes inhibited, depressed, loss of consciousness and hallucinations are possible. Brain nutrition is disrupted.

As the temperature rises, the heart rate increases, by about 10-15 beats per minute, by 1 “extra” degree. On the one hand, this is good - blood flow is better, but the heart works under strain.

The digestive system is not working properly. The secretion of saliva decreases, the tongue and mucous membranes of the mouth become dry. The secretion of pancreatic juice, bile and gastric juice are also significantly reduced. Intestinal motility slows down, which leads to constipation, fermentation and bloating.

Water-salt metabolism in the body is disrupted. Liquid is retained in tissues due to the redistribution of sodium and chlorine. Urine formation increases, and a lot of fluid is lost during rapid breathing.

As a result, dehydration quickly sets in, and this leads to changes in the blood. And again we come to an increase in the load on the heart and a deterioration in the nutrition of the brain. One violation leads to another.

How to help an animal?

Friends, I want to remind you once again that an increase in temperature is not a disease, but a reaction of the body, so first of all you need to find the cause of the disease.

But until you get to the doctor:

1. Allow the body to easily give off excess heat by lowering the ambient temperature. Of course, it is not necessary to take the dog out into the cold; it is enough to ventilate the room or turn on the air conditioning. The air temperature should ideally be 18-20 degrees. We do not allow drafts and cold floors where the animal lies.
2. Reduce physical activity as much as possible; muscle work generates a lot of thermal energy.
3. Be sure to give your dog or cat clean water if it does not drink on its own. Watch how to do this in this video.

What not to do

When a dog has a high temperature, people have the idea of ​​​​using their own, “human” drugs, but this is a bad idea. For example, they give: ibuprofen, paracetamol, analgin, aspirin, diclofenac and others. Most of the listed drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and they have a lot of side effects.

Some side effects in animals appear much stronger and more often than in humans. For example, after taking an ibuprofen tablet, a dog may experience gastrointestinal bleeding, which will lead to death if no help is provided.

In addition, intense vomiting may begin, the kidneys and liver may be damaged, blood clots may form, and confusion may occur.

It’s clear with drugs, but there is still one more possibility of harm - feeding. For some reason, many people try to feed a sick dog, force, persuade, push food into the mouth. When you ask why? The answer is simple - so that she does not lose strength.

But at elevated temperatures, food cannot be digested normally; by force-feeding, you add problems. Now, in addition to fever, the animal will also have bloating, constipation or diarrhea.

Let's sum it up

We remember that fever is not a disease, but only a symptom, so we don’t fight the symptom, but look for the real cause, preferably together with a doctor. Eliminate the cause, the temperature will go away, and as a last resort, the veterinarian will use a safe remedy.

Do not give animals human medications for fever - it is dangerous. As a last resort, when there is no doctor and his appearance is not expected, and the temperature is already above 42, then dexamethasone can be used. But it also has many side effects, so read before using it.

Wow, this is a great article, I will be glad to see your questions and additions, I would be interested if you share your personal experience in the comments. See you again, friends!

There is nothing worse when a pet is sick. After all, it cannot talk about its symptoms, cannot complain and show where it hurts. Therefore, it is very important for owners to carefully observe their pet and note anything unusual in its behavior. In this article we will talk about high fever, signs and causes of its occurrence, as well as how to bring down a high temperature in a dog.

How to tell if your dog has a high temperature

Normally, a dog's temperature is 37-39 degrees. Moreover, puppies have a slightly higher temperature than adult dogs. Large breed dogs have a lower body temperature than their smaller counterparts. Body temperature also depends on the time of year - in summer it is higher than in winter.

Many people mistakenly believe that body temperature can be determined by the nose of an animal. This is wrong. A dog's sense of smell works better if its nose is wet. Therefore, the dog often licks it with his tongue. And when a dog sleeps, it does not need smell; it relies more on hearing. Therefore, the nose becomes dry. It is for this reason that one cannot draw a conclusion about an elevated temperature from the nose alone. But how can you tell if your dog has a high fever? What signs should alert the owner?

1. If the dog is looking for a cold place in the house. This could be a wet rag on the threshold, a tiled floor in the toilet, or a basement. The dog tries to lower its body temperature on its own in this way.
2. If the dog drinks a lot. At a temperature, the body burns and to replenish fluid loss, the dog tries to drink a lot.
3. The dog's condition changes. She becomes lethargic, loses her appetite, refuses to play, and tries to retire. When a pet behaves this way, you need to understand why this is happening.
4. Touch your dog. When the temperature is high, his nose and ears become unusually hot. At the same time, the heart beats faster and breathing becomes frequent.
5. And the surest way to determine temperature is to measure it. To do this, you need to place the tip of the thermometer into the animal's anus and wait a little. It is best to use an electronic thermometer - it operates faster and makes a sound when the measurement is completed. If the animal’s body temperature is 40-41 degrees, urgent action must be taken.

Causes of increased body temperature in dogs

As you know, body temperature in humans and animals increases due to heat stroke. This can happen during the hot season, when the dog has been playing in the sun for a long time or is simply overheated. This happens quite often in dogs and does not require special treatment. You just need to give the dog something to drink and leave it in a cool place.

Another common cause of fever in dogs is nervous stress. If the dog is given to a new home, if he has changed his place of residence or owner, or if he is in a crowded and noisy place, this can cause an increase in temperature. In this case, it is necessary to relieve the animal of stress and everything will work out.

Sometimes body temperature can be caused by local inflammation. If your dog has painful injuries or open wounds, they may cause an elevated body temperature. It is necessary to treat the wounds with an antiseptic composition. Sometimes the temperature rises due to a reaction to a particular vaccine. So the first day after vaccination the dog should be carefully monitored.

The most common reason for an increase in body weight in an animal is the body’s protective reaction to a virus, bacteria, or infection. This means that your pet is sick. Here it is very important to show the dog to a veterinarian who can diagnose the animal. Pay attention to the dog's other symptoms. He may have vomiting or diarrhea, or blood in his stool or urine.

Most often, the dog’s temperature rises at night, and it is impossible to get to the veterinarian in the next few hours. In this case, you need to know how to lower your dog’s temperature at home.

1. First you need to provide a cool room. If the dog lies down in a cool place, do not chase it away. During the cold season, open the windows and ventilate the room. In the hot season, on the contrary, close the curtains from the sun and turn on the air conditioning.
2. Provide the animal with free access to clean drinking water. If necessary, desolder the dog with a syringe without a needle.
3. Use contact cooling techniques. Wet a towel and cover the animal's back with it. You can also simply wet the dog's fur. Place wet cloths on the inner thighs.
4. If the dog's temperature is above 40 degrees, you need to use medications. The temperature in dogs is reduced with the same drugs as in adults. To do this, use Paracetamol, Ibufen, Nurofen - that is, any antipyretic drugs.
5. It is best to give antipyretics in syrup form. If the dog refuses to drink it, you can put half of the tablet on the back of the tongue - the animal will certainly swallow it.
6. When the temperature is too high, you can use antipyretic suppositories, for example, Tsefekon, to reduce it as quickly as possible. It is best to use baby candles. If you only have an adult dosage on hand, you can simply cut the candle in half with a knife.
7. When you have a small breed dog or puppy in front of you, any antipyretic drug should be in a pediatric dosage. One teaspoon of baby syrup is usually enough.

After taking an antipyretic drug, relief and a decrease in temperature occurs quickly, within half an hour. But this does not mean that you should not find out the cause of the fever. After the incident, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to rule out serious illness. Take care of your pets, and they will repay you with kindness and love!

Video: how to measure an animal's temperature

The article was read by 14,733 pet owners

A dog's fever usually manifests itself as a high body temperature. It is believed that high temperature is the body's method of fighting infection within the dog's body. When a dog has a fever, the part of the brain that regulates temperature is activated. It is a response to invasion by foreign organisms such as viruses or bacteria. Most invading organisms die immediately under high temperature conditions.

When your dog has a fever and you don’t know what to do or are looking for how to lower it by looking at advice on the Internet on forums, we recommend not to self-medicate or experiment on your beloved dog. After all, there are many reasons for an animal’s high temperature (more on this later in the article), and the consequences of your experiment may disappoint you and your family.

Call us and get a free consultation or arrange a doctor’s home call as soon as possible. The cost of treatment depends on the complexity of the situation. Check the price by phone.

A dog's normal temperature is between 38C and 39C.

Possible causes of high fever in a dog:

High temperature is easy to detect. This is done using a thermometer by inserting it into the anus. Body temperature above 39.4C is considered high. The animal's medical history and routine examination will help determine the cause of the high temperature. The cause of a high temperature in a dog is most often an infection or virus. Sometimes making a correct diagnosis may require additional tests. Such tests may include:

Treatment for an animal with a high fever depends on the diagnosis and the complexity of the situation. You should not always panic with a slight increase in temperature; perhaps the body will cope with the infection or virus on its own.

If the diagnosis is not entirely obvious, then, based on the medical history and examination of the dog, the doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotic treatment. At a body temperature of 40C, medications are recommended to lower the temperature. Antipyretic drugs are usually prescribed for animals, but it all depends on the situation. Initially, a primary examination of the animal is necessary.

If the temperature does not go away after using antibiotics, the veterinarian will order additional tests, since there are many causes of fever in dogs.

For a free consultation with a veterinarian, please call the numbers listed on the website. Call now!

Prevention:

In most cases, it is difficult to protect a dog from fever, since it is a consequence of some process and is associated with an infection in the body. Caring and clean living conditions and lack of contact with sick animals significantly reduces the chances of contracting any infection.

In-depth information

You may have heard that you can tell if your dog has a nose by touching it. dogs high temperature or not - a cool and wet nose means no fever, hot and dry means a high temperature. It is not that simple. In fact, the temperature dogs often remains undetected.

One of the reasons why it is difficult to detect temperature , is that a dog's normal body temperature is higher than that of a human.

What temperature is considered high in dogs?

Normal body temperature for a dog is 38.3C to 39C, compared to 36.6 to 37C for a human. This means that your dog may have a fever in relation to your temperature, even when his temperature is completely normal.

The word "fever" is commonly used to describe increased body temperature caused by infection or inflammation. A temperature of more than 39.4 C is considered high for a dog.

When a dog has a high temperature, which is a result of high external temperatures or as a result of excessive loads, this condition is called hyperthermia or heat stroke. When the temperature reaches 41 C, serious and fatal complications can occur.

Symptoms of a high fever in a dog

While there are no definitive signs of fever, here are some symptoms that may indicate illness and fever in dogs:

• Lethargy
• Depressed mood
• Shiver
• Loss of appetite
• Vomit
• Cough
• Nasal discharge

The only accurate way to know if your dog has a fever is to take a rectal temperature measurement. Experts recommend using a digital thermometer specifically designed for rectal use in dogs. Most thermometers intended for human use are not suitable for this purpose.

To take your dog's temperature, first apply a lubricant, such as baby oil or cream, to the thermometer. Then carefully insert the thermometer about two to three centimeters into your dog's anus and wait for the results. Most electronic thermometers will measure your temperature in less than 60 seconds.

Causes of elevated temperature

Various diseases and conditions can cause fever. These include:

• Infection. This can have a large number of causes, including bacterial, fungal and viral diseases. The infection can be anywhere in the body, such as the lungs (pneumonia), kidneys (pyelonephritis), brain (encephalitis), or even the skin. The symptoms you observe indicate where the infection is located and the underlying cause. Some infections, such as fungal diseases, can affect multiple parts of the body at the same time.
• Vaccination. A slight fever within 24-48 hours of vaccination is not unusual and is the result of an interaction between the injection and the dog's immune system.
• Toxins. Consuming substances that are toxic to your dog, including macadamia nuts and some human antidepressants, can cause an increase in body temperature.

There are times when the cause of fever in dogs cannot be easily determined; This is called "fever of unknown origin." The most likely causes of this condition are a compromised immune system, bone marrow problems, undiagnosed infections, and cancer .

Home care and when to call the vet?

If your dog has a temperature of more than 39.4 C, you should call your veterinarian. A temperature above 41 C is an emergency in which you must act quickly.

If your dog has a temperature above 40 C, you can help reduce the body temperature by applying a wet, cool bandage over the body, especially around the ears and legs. Using a fan that blows on the wet fur will also help reduce the temperature. Be sure to monitor your dog's rectal temperature as you do this. It is necessary to stop the cooling procedure when the temperature reaches 39 C.

If your dog has a fever, try giving him water. In any case, he needs to drink water in small quantities on a regular basis to prevent dehydration. But don't force it. And never give your dog any human medications intended to reduce fever, such as acetylsalicylic acid or ibuprofen, as these can be poisonous to dogs and cause severe injury or death.

Note. This article is intended to inform you about the symptoms of fever in dogs and is not intended to replace veterinary care or diagnosis or advice. If you think your dog has a fever, contact your veterinarian immediately to schedule an appointment for an evaluation and to ensure your dog is receiving the safest and most effective treatment.

Yunkina Anastasia Alexandrovna
general practitioner

An increase in body temperature in animals can only be judged by thermometer readings.
Therefore, every owner should be able to measure their pet’s body temperature.

Why does the temperature rise?

The mechanism of temperature increase is based on an imbalance between the process of heat formation, the so-called heat production, and the process of heat transfer. And this balance is disrupted under the influence of both external and internal factors. And there are quite a lot of such factors. For example:

• When the body overheats as a result of heatstroke, the supply of heat from the external environment significantly exceeds the body's ability to give off heat. As a result, body temperature can reach a critical level of more than 41°C
• When pathogens of infectious diseases are introduced, the temperature rises as a result of the development of a protective-adaptive reaction of the body. This reaction is called "fever". Many non-infectious and surgical diseases are also accompanied by fever.
• When stressed, a short-term increase in temperature occurs in a healthy animal. The main stress factors for dogs are long journeys, changes in housing, long separation from the owner, physical overload, emotional overload, such as an exhibition.

Separately, I would like to say about visiting the veterinary clinic.
For most dogs, this is the reason for the development of stress, and, consequently, an increase in body temperature. Therefore, the following situation often arises: before giving the vaccine, the doctor measures the patient’s body temperature, and it turns out to be elevated. Only healthy animals can be vaccinated.

In this case, the doctor refuses to vaccinate your dog until the cause of the fever is determined.- stress or illness.

If your pet is agitated, but previously felt fine and there are no other signs of illness, the doctor will recommend re-measuring the temperature after some time, when the dog has become accustomed to the environment.

The dog's body temperature is elevated. You have ruled out the development of stress. So this is a sign of illness...

What to do?
If body temperature 39.5-40°C: carefully examine the dog, remember what has happened to your pet over the past few days. You may be able to determine the cause of the fever or identify some signs of illness. In any case, it is necessary to show the dog to the doctor on the same day.

Significant increase in temperature, above 40-41°C requires immediate medical attention and emergency care.

Owners need to know:

• An increase in body temperature above 40.5°C leads to loss of fluid from the body, decreased or absent appetite, general depression, accompanied by rapid heartbeat and breathing
• Body temperature above 41.1°C leads to critical loss of fluid from the body, can cause swelling of the brain and serious disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, which are manifested by rapid heartbeat and heart rhythm disturbances, severe shortness of breath, accompanied by wheezing, loss of consciousness, convulsions and impaired coordination of movements, diarrhea and vomiting, yellowing of the conjunctiva of the eyes and oral mucosa, lack of urine and the appearance of an acetone odor from the mouth, bleeding from the intestines and hemorrhages on the skin. Any of these complications can quickly lead to the death of the animal.

If the temperature rises above 41°C, you should try to bring it down:

It is necessary to put ice on the neck and inner thighs; if this is not possible, wet the dog’s fur with cold water and provide small portions of cool water to drink.
You should not administer antipyretics or give pills at home. Some of these drugs may do more harm than good.
It is better to limit yourself to physical cooling methods.
It is important to take the animal to the doctor as soon as possible!

The question often comes up: go to the clinic or call a doctor at home?

Go to the clinic. Increased body temperature is a nonspecific symptom of many diseases. Therefore, in animals with weakened vital functions, diagnosis of the disease should be carried out against the background of supportive treatment. It is very important to make an accurate diagnosis of the underlying disease and do it as quickly as possible.
If, after a clinical examination of the patient, there is insufficient information to make a diagnosis, additional studies will be prescribed, such as:

• laboratory tests of blood and urine
• infection testing
• possibly determining hormone levels
• radiography and ultrasound.

Consultation with highly specialized specialists, for example, an endocrinologist, neurologist, oncologist, or allergist may also be required.
At the same time, the doctor will correct the animal’s condition, if necessary, begin infusion therapy (“drips”) to replenish fluid loss, and administer antipyretic drugs in the required dose.

If the dog's condition turns out to be critical, the doctor will strongly recommend that the patient be placed in a hospital under the supervision of qualified personnel who will monitor and maintain adequate functioning of the heart, lungs, kidneys and other internal organs around the clock.

When you notice an increase in your pet's temperature, remember how bad it feels when you get a cold, how exhausting a high temperature can be. Your friend experiences the same sensations. Help him in difficult times.

The normal body temperature of a dog is higher than that of a person and reaches 38-39 degrees. However, dogs also have a fever when the temperature rises even higher - up to 40-41 degrees.

It is believed that with the help of elevated temperature the body fights infection. At this moment, a part of the brain is activated, which responds to the invasion of viruses or bacteria with an increase in temperature.

Most invading “foreign” organisms die in high temperatures. However, too high a temperature indicates that the body can no longer cope and can threaten the life of the animal.

Causes of fever in dogs

There are quite a few reasons for this reaction of the body. First of all this:

The cause may also be various disorders in the body:

• disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system,
• metabolism,
• overly active immune system.

The body can react with heat to toxic substances or medications, as well as a developing tumor. Sometimes the exact reasons cannot be determined at all. Then a diagnosis is made: fever of unknown origin.

Symptoms of a fever in a dog

You can determine that a dog has a fever not only by measuring its body temperature, but also by other symptoms.

• The dog is clearly weakening.
• Often the animal begins to tremble, its breathing and heart rate increase, and dehydration is observed.
• Strange behavior may appear, such as the dog trying to hide.

If this condition lasts for a long time, it can eventually lead to shock.

What should a dog owner do? Animal treatment.

For the described symptoms, it is necessary to insert a thermometer into the anus. A dog's body temperature is considered high if it is above 39.4 degrees. A veterinarian must determine the cause of the disease by examining the dog and studying its medical history.

Especially if it's cold outside. If calling a doctor is not possible, you can consult with him by phone, describing the appearance and behavior of the dog. Additional tests may be required:

• hemogram,
• blood analysis,
• blood smear,
• Analysis of urine,
• test for the presence of diseases of the immune system,
• X-rays of light,
• biopsy of various tissues.

Treatment for a dog with a fever depends on the diagnosis. If the diagnosis is not obvious, a course of antibiotic treatment is most often prescribed. If the temperature is above 40 degrees, it is necessary to use antipyretic drugs for animals or aspirin. You can also put ice on the neck and inner thighs or moisten the dog’s fur with cold water and provide it with small portions of cool water to drink.

Hello dear readers! Today I propose to talk about an interesting topic: “Body temperature in animals,” and more specifically, talk about high temperature in dogs. In this article we will look at the following points:

How does temperature regulation occur in dogs and cats?

Body temperature is not a constant value, it changes throughout the day, these changes depend on age, gender, intensity of physical activity, as well as environmental conditions.

But there is such a thing as normal temperature; it is not one number, but an interval. For example, for a dog the norm is from 37.5 to 39.5, and even in this case, size and age must be taken into account. For a large adult dog, 39.5 is already an elevated temperature, but for a puppy it is acceptable. In more detail how and what temperature.

In the living body of warm-blooded animals, heat is constantly being generated; its main producers are muscles and liver. Therefore, after a run and a delicious lunch, body temperature tends to rise. When “overheated” blood enters a certain area of ​​the brain, mechanisms for removing excess heat are activated.

Most likely, you have noticed how your cat or dog, on a warm day, stretches out to its full length, and if it is very hot, it begins to breathe intensely, with its mouth wide open. This is how animals cool down.

Samych shows how to cool down properly :)

Of course, I provided a simplified diagram; in fact, the mechanism of thermoregulation is much more complex. The main idea is that the body's temperature constantly changes, but remains within certain limits, homeostasis is maintained. Deviation from normal parameters may indicate a disease.

It is also important to know that heat generation is a biochemical process, and its release is physical. Important for proper care. And yet, a high temperature in a dog is not a disease, but only a symptom.

Some reasons for fever

The temperature rises when heat transfer is disrupted or physically impossible, or when heat retention mechanisms are activated during its increased production. Now I will try to decipher what I wanted to say so as not to confuse you.

Consider a classic example: a dog was left in a car with the windows rolled up on a hot day. In such a trap, the animal will overheat due to the inability to remove excess heat from the body - it is too hot in the car.

Or you got on a bike, took your dog with you and decided to go for a ride, rode quickly and for a long time, the dog ran alongside. In this case, a lot of heat is generated in a short period of time, which does not have time to be removed. These are two examples of the influence of the environment and conditions in which the dog finds itself.

But most often the temperature rises in response to the action of certain substances, they are called pyrogens. For example, pyrogens can be parts of bacteria, during an infectious disease, destroyed body tissues formed during injury or the disintegration of a tumor.

Also, substances to which the animal has an individual sensitivity, that is, an allergy, can raise the temperature.

When I talked about a dog locked in a car, it is clear that practically nothing depends on the animal; it found itself in such conditions. Overheating occurs.

In the second case, with the development of an infectious disease, the body itself reduces heat transfer and sometimes accelerates heat generation. The protective mechanism is activated.

What does high temperature give, why does it matter?

An increase in temperature is a nonspecific protective reaction of the body. That is, there will be the same response to the introduction of a virus, bacteria, allergen, severe stress or injury. This is an ancient protection system and is not too picky.

What's positive? As the temperature rises, metabolic processes in cells intensify, energy is produced faster, interferon and antibodies are produced. The body's overall resistance to infection increases. It also creates unfavorable conditions for microorganisms.

For the division and normal functioning of cells, including bacterial ones, certain conditions are required. At elevated temperatures, many bacteria and viruses cannot reproduce normally.

Yes, long-term fever has a negative impact on the dog, but the animal's cells divide much more slowly than bacteria. Due to different growth rates, microorganisms are in a worse position.

Complications

But, in addition to the positive effects, high temperature can cause harm. First of all, the central nervous system suffers, the animal becomes inhibited, depressed, loss of consciousness and hallucinations are possible. Brain nutrition is disrupted.

As the temperature rises, the heart rate increases, by about 10-15 beats per minute, by 1 “extra” degree. On the one hand, this is good - blood flow is better, but the heart works under strain.

The digestive system is not working properly. The secretion of saliva decreases, the tongue and mucous membranes of the mouth become dry. The secretion of pancreatic juice, bile and gastric juice are also significantly reduced. Intestinal motility slows down, which leads to constipation, fermentation and bloating.

Water-salt metabolism in the body is disrupted. Liquid is retained in tissues due to the redistribution of sodium and chlorine. Urine formation increases, and a lot of fluid is lost during rapid breathing.

As a result, dehydration quickly sets in, and this leads to changes in the blood. And again we come to an increase in the load on the heart and a deterioration in the nutrition of the brain. One violation leads to another.

How to help an animal?

Friends, I want to remind you once again that an increase in temperature is not a disease, but a reaction of the body, so first of all you need to find the cause of the disease.

But until you get to the doctor:

1. Allow the body to easily give off excess heat by lowering the ambient temperature. Of course, it is not necessary to take the dog out into the cold; it is enough to ventilate the room or turn on the air conditioning. The air temperature should ideally be 18-20 degrees. We do not allow drafts and cold floors where the animal lies.
2. Reduce physical activity as much as possible; muscle work generates a lot of thermal energy.
3. Be sure to give your dog or cat clean water if it does not drink on its own. Watch how to do this in this video.

What not to do

When a dog has a high temperature, people have the idea of ​​​​using their own, “human” drugs, but this is a bad idea. For example, they give: ibuprofen, paracetamol, analgin, aspirin, diclofenac and others. Most of the listed drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and they have a lot of side effects.

Some side effects in animals appear much stronger and more often than in humans. For example, after taking an ibuprofen tablet, a dog may experience gastrointestinal bleeding, which will lead to death if no help is provided.

In addition, intense vomiting may begin, the kidneys and liver may be damaged, blood clots may form, and confusion may occur.

It’s clear with drugs, but there is still one more possibility of harm - feeding. For some reason, many people try to feed a sick dog, force, persuade, push food into the mouth. When you ask why? The answer is simple - so that she does not lose strength.

But at elevated temperatures, food cannot be digested normally; by force-feeding, you add problems. Now, in addition to fever, the animal will also have bloating, constipation or diarrhea.

Let's sum it up

We remember that fever is not a disease, but only a symptom, so we don’t fight the symptom, but look for the real cause, preferably together with a doctor. Eliminate the cause, the temperature will go away, and in extreme cases, the veterinarian will use a safe remedy.

Do not give animals human medications for fever - it is dangerous. As a last resort, when there is no doctor and his appearance is not expected, and the temperature is already above 42, then dexamethasone can be used. But it also has many side effects, so read before using it.

Wow, this is a great article, I will be glad to see your questions and additions, I would be interested if you share your personal experience in the comments. See you again, friends!

An elevated body temperature in a dog is a signal to the owner that urgent attention needs to be paid to the dog’s health. But first, let's figure out what a dog's normal temperature should be.

The body temperature of a healthy dog ​​in the range of 37.5 – 39 degrees is normal

But, the indicators may vary slightly, depending on the size and age of the animal.
For example, the normal temperature of small breed dogs will be slightly higher than that of large or medium breed dogs. This depends on the more intense metabolism of small quadrupeds.

A dog's temperature is normal if:

Small breeds (puppies) 38.6-39.3, (adults) 38.5-39.0
Medium breeds (puppies) 38.3-39.1, (adults) 37.5-39.0
Large breeds (puppies) 38.2-39.0, (adults) 37.4-38.3

Causes of high temperature

In fact, there are a sufficient number of them and therefore it is worth talking about it thoroughly.

Let's first look at the possible causes of fever in puppies.

Regardless of the breed, in puppies up to six months old you can see the number 39 on the thermometer. And if the babies are healthy, then the reasons are as follows:

Teeth cutting
intensive growth of all organs and systems
the thermoregulation mechanism is still not working in a balanced manner (without mother, cooling occurs and the temperature drops, and on hot days the temperature can rise)
stress
graft

The ideal solution is to measure the puppies' temperature at least 2 times a week. This increases the chances of not missing serious illnesses.

But it is necessary to monitor the temperature after vaccinations several times a day. Both adult dogs and puppies. Necessarily!

Unfortunately, the following causes of fever in puppies and adult dogs are more serious. This:

Heatstroke
plague
enteritis
piroplasmosis
endometriosis in bitches
allergy
abscess
severe stress
hormonal disorders
internal bleeding
after operation
poisoning
and other diseases

In any case, if you notice even a slight change in the dog’s behavior and condition, immediately measure the temperature.

How can you tell if an animal has a fever?

We all know a certain myth that a dry and hot nose necessarily means a high temperature. Not always. A warm nose may occur after sleep. Conversely, a dog with a wet and cold nose may not always be healthy.

To understand that a dog has a temperature, of course, it is necessary to measure it. Let us remind you that a dog’s temperature is normal if it is between 37.5 and 39 degrees.

The first symptoms that should alert the owner:

Lethargy
refusal to eat
diarrhea
vomit
convulsions
pale gums and tongue
whining
the dog stops barking, playing and constantly lies

How to measure a dog's temperature at home?

First of all, the dog must have its own thermometer. If there are several dogs, it is better if each has its own. Of course, electronic, since it is safe for both animals and people.

Measuring a dog's temperature is not difficult. But the procedure must be performed carefully and delicately. You may need help from loved ones.

Lay the animal on its side
Apply baby cream or Vaseline to the tip of the thermometer
move your tail to the side and very carefully insert the thermometer into the rectum 1-1.5 cm
wait for the beep and wait another 2-3 minutes
remove the thermometer and take readings

By the way, it is not necessary to put the dog down. You can take your temperature while standing. To do this, you need to hold the animal by the collar and in the groin area.

What to do if the temperature rises to 40?

1. You need to urgently call the veterinary clinic, tell the situation and ask which drug is best to bring down the high fever.

2. If you can’t get through to the doctor, you can give your dog Paracetamol for fever. A large dog is given an adult dosage, a small dog is given an exclusively children’s dosage. But keep in mind that unauthorized prescription of drugs from your first aid kit is extremely dangerous for dogs.

3. Give your dog cool water. Better in small portions, but often. If the animal refuses to drink, you can feed it with a tablespoon, carefully opening its mouth and pouring water into its cheek.

4 . Cover the sides and back with damp towels

5 . Briefly apply ice wrapped in cloth to the paws and between the ears. Not for long!

6. Place a damp towel on your inner thighs.

But, do not forget that only a doctor can solve the problem. Therefore, take your dog to the clinic immediately

We have already said above that fever can be a symptom of a serious and dangerous disease, in which delay can cost the animal its life.

What happens in a dog's body at high temperatures?

Temperature 40,5 and higher:

Dehydration
decreased appetite
cardiopalmus
apathy
lethargy

Temperature 41.1 and higher:

Critical dehydration
Possible disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and cerebral edema
cardiopalmus
shortness of breath
convulsions
wheezing
loss of consciousness
motor activity decreases
urine flow worsens

We are sure that your dog’s high temperature will not scare you. And you will act quickly, decisively and correctly.

Causes of low temperature in dogs

Yes, this happens too. Reduced temperature is the other side of the same coin. Hypothermia is also extremely dangerous for dogs. Primarily for puppies and older dogs. Why hypothermia occurs, how to recognize it and what to do, we’ll talk in

Be healthy!

Always yours, Balabaki Dogs.

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