Dog fever may be very common for the pet owners with aged dogs at their home because they might be experiencing these conditions from the puppyhood itself and they might already get good information on how to act on it.
The case will be completely new for first-time pet owners and also for those who have puppies at a young age. Like how we humans behave and feel a little tired and exhausted when we have a high temperature. In the same way, dogs also will feel sick and look a little uneasy and dull.
Here are the 5 typical signs your dog will give you that he is sick
Interest towards Food
A normal healthy dog will have his meal within 20 to 25 minutes and that should not take more than 45 minutes. If you observe that your dog is not showing interest in his meal, it’s time to check his body temperature and make sure the temperature is between 99F to 102F. If you see the temperature is more than 102.5 degrees F, then it’s time to contact your vet.
How active are your Dog or Puppy
Puppies with normal temperatures will feel very excited and would jump on to their owners if they were separated for more than an hour from their owners. However, a dog that is sick may not show that level of activeness even after seeing his owner. The sole reason for this may not be 100% fever but there are high chances that the dog is sick.
Lethargy
Animals struggling with infection may feel tired. All their reserve energy is allocated to fighting. Their bodies use energy and resources for the war they are waging, so they often do not want to engage in their normal activities. Sluggish animals may be seen lying around or they may not find much because they have found a cool place to stay.
If you think your dog is sloppy, especially if he has any specific signs of vomiting, diarrhea, cough, sneezing, or nasal discharge, he may have a fever and need a trip to the vet.
Warm Touch at the bottom and Paws
Your puppy may feel very warm when you lift him or when he lay down on you. The lower body will not have much hair and direct skin can be seen and so the warm feel of your puppy is also a good sign to identify that your puppy is sick and has a body temperature above normal.
Bathing your dog
Dogs love to play around with the water once after they get habituated to taking showers and they enjoy the playtime and always feel excited to have a bath but the dog with temperature would refuse to take bath and sometimes even he may be aggressive if you force.
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Increased thirst and water consumption
One sign of fever in dogs is increased thirst and water consumption. This can be a symptom of many different things, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
Always take your dog to the vet if you notice any strange behavior or changes in their usual routine, including increased thirst. Increased water consumption is especially important to monitor if your dog is older or has health problems, as dehydration can be life-threatening.
Vomiting and diarrhea
If your dog is vomiting and has diarrhea, it may have a fever. Dog Fever is a serious condition that requires veterinary attention. The symptoms of Dog Fever include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, and in some cases, seizures.
Treatment for Dog Fever depends on the cause of the fever.
Poor appetite or increased appetite
Dogs with fever may have a poor appetite or increased appetite. With a poor appetite, the dog may not eat enough food to sustain itself and will eventually lose weight. Conversely, an increased appetite may cause the dog to become overweight. In either case, fever can have a serious impact on the dog’s health.
Homemade treatment to lower the temperature and precautions to take
At this time your dog won’t have a proper taste sense and would reject anything your offer. That can be his regular meal like dry kibbles and water and also sometimes even a tasty cheese slice as well.
Ice Cubes
Give a small piece of ice cubes and make your dog to lick that to make him feel a little refreshed and also it will rehydrate your dog.
Ice Cream
Dogs would love to eat ice cream no matter what, even the dogs with high temperatures will love the taste of the ice cream slice. As a dog owner and out of my expertise I prefer a vanilla flavor as it may not have other harmful ingredients in it.
Your Presence
Make sure you stay with your dog for more than half of the day and keep him engaged with some cold treats like ice cream and play with him.
When to See the Vet If Your Dog Has a Fever?
Are you worried that your dog’s fever might be serious? If your dog has a fever of 104 degrees or higher, it is important to take him or her to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Some signs that a fever might be serious include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, and seizures. If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, it is best to seek veterinary help immediately.
Many people believe that if a dog’s temperature is only slightly elevated, there is no need to worry. However, even a low-grade fever can be indicative of a more serious problem.
Fever is often one of the body’s ways of fighting infection, so it is important not to wait too long before seeking medical help if you are concerned about your dog’s health.
The sooner you get your dog checked out by a veterinarian, the sooner they can get started on treatment and help your pup feel better again.
Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, most canine fevers can be successfully treated.
