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What is Fever?
Fever refers to an abnormally high body temperature. The normal body temperature in dogs is between 101 and 102.5º Fahrenheit (38.3-39.2º Celsius). Temperatures at 103ºF (39.4ºC) or above are considered a fever. High body temperature can be caused by infection, environmental heat, or excessive exercise. A body temperature of 106ºF (41.1ºC) or above can be life-threatening and should be treated as a medical emergency. Pyrexia is more commonly known as fever, and may be mild, like what is seen at the onset of a viral infection (i.e. human cold), or severe, causing seizures or organ shut down. Temperatures above 103F are considered to be a fever, as dogs average between 100.5 - 102.5 degrees.
Fever Average Cost
From 205 quotes ranging from $300 - $8,000
Average Cost
$1,000
Symptoms of Fever in Dogs
Although your pet can have a fever with no symptoms, some symptoms are often present with a fever, including:
- Lethargy
- Shivering
- Loss of appetite
- Rapid heart rate
- Dehydration
- Panting
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Nasal Discharge
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Causes of Fever in Dogs
Causes of high temperature in dogs can include:
- Infection
– The body is designed to increase in temperature when infection is present. Many bacteria, viruses and fungi are heat sensitive and cannot survive at the higher body temperature.
- Inflammation/allergic response
– Fever can be associated with these.
- Toxins
– Consuming come poison materials may result in fever.
- Medication
– Some medications may elevate body temperature
- Vaccination
– As with infection, the body’s immune system will often respond to vaccination with a low grade fever. This fever may last up to 48 hours after vaccination.
- Fever of Unknown Origin
– Sometimes the cause of fever cannot be determined. This is often the case with immune system abnormalities, blood and bone marrow disorders and cancer.
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Diagnosis of Fever in Dogs
In order to determine your pet’s body temperature, you will need a thermometer. Digital thermometers that are specifically designed for rectal use are available at most pet stores. Human thermometers are not designed to measure the higher body temperature of dogs and are not as accurate.
To take rectal temperature, rub a bit of baby oil, vegetable oil or petroleum jelly on the end for lubricant. Gently insert the thermometer one inch into the anus. Wait for the thermometer to signal it is finished reading.
The veterinarian will need a history of the pet’s symptoms, any medications, recent events and any allergies. A physical examination will look for swollen lymph nodes, abdominal swelling, pain in the joints, and other signs of infection or systemic abnormalities.
Laboratory diagnostics that can be useful in determining cause of fever include a complete blood cell count, biochemistry profile and urinalysis. These tests examine the function of the metabolic and endocrine systems and can indicate infections or other causes of elevate body temperature.
Radiographs can identify abnormalities in organ systems, cancer, or infections.
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Treatment of Fever in Dogs
If your pet has a fever greater than 103ºF (39.4ºC) you will need to have a veterinarian examine him. A body temperature at or above 106ºF (41.1ºC) should be considered a medical emergency.
You can help bring your pets temperature down by wiping his paw pads and ears with a cool wet washcloth. You may also wrap ice packs in a towel and place it against his chest and abdomen. A fan to supply cool air is useful as well.
Never treat your dog with human medicines without the instruction of a veterinarian. Aspirin and acetaminophen are toxic to dogs.
Your veterinarian will use the information gathered from the pet’s history, physical examination and diagnostic tests to decide the course of treatment. Intravenous fluids will aid in hydration and electrolyte balance. Antibiotics are prescribed to treat infection. In some cases, additional medications and/or surgery may be required to treat the underlying condition.
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Recovery of Fever in Dogs
Be sure to monitor your pet’s temperature at home and report any increase in body temperature or failure of the pet to respond to treatment to your veterinarian. Follow the instructions for treatment and medication administration carefully. Be sure your pet is getting adequate water, food and rest. If possible, keep your pet separate from children and other pets while he rests and recovers.
Never treat fever with human drugs unless directed by your veterinarian. Home treatment for fever can worsen the condition or lead to life-threatening conditions.
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Fever Average Cost
From 205 quotes ranging from $300 - $8,000
Average Cost
$1,000
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Fever Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Need pet health advice? Ask a vet
Ask a Vet
Chow cross
Thirteen Years
Unknown severity
3 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Lethargic, Not Aggressively Eating As Normal.
Possible bromethalin exposure.
Sept. 29, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Bromethalin toxicity is very serious in dogs, and can be fatal. If you think that your dog got into some of that toxin, the best thing to do would be to take your dog to see a veterinarian, or to the ER. I hope that everything goes well and your dog feels better soon.
Sept. 30, 2020
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Akita/husky
One Year
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Fever, Dry Nose, Not Eating, Not Herself
What could it be
Sept. 28, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in response, there is a delay in receiving these emails sometimes. It is difficult to say what may be going on with her, specifically, but she does sound ill, and if she is still having problems, it would be a good idea to have her seen by a veterinarian. They will be able to examine her, see what might be going on, and let you know how to treat her. I hope that she is okay!
Oct. 6, 2020
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Pomeranian
60days
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Body Warm And Not Active
Body warm and not active
Sept. 28, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Puppies are prone to parasites and infections, and infectious diseases like Parvo virus. If your puppy has a fever and is lethargic, it would be best to have them seen by a veterinarian right away. I hope that your pup is okay.
Oct. 7, 2020
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Boerboel
One year and seven months
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Loss Of Appetite, Depressed Mood,His Body Temperature Is High,And Also He'S So Calm
Please I need your help
Sept. 26, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. Since I cannot see your pet or know what might be happening, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 15, 2020
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Siberian Husky
Six Months
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Fever,
She is pale, she is crying for 2 days after we walk her, she has pain in her inner right leg
Sept. 26, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. . It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 17, 2020
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Arya
Hound Dog
2 Years
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
Fever
Lethargy
Panting
My dog is having a fever and is lethargic, she was good on monday but that night my dad yelled and hit her. Something I am not for.Her fever is 103 and she has no other symptoms of anything serious, she has an appetite and is drinking water. She is panting when I wake up but I cover her in an old wet shirt and that seems to get her up. Does anyone know what I could do because I do not think she is seriously sick.
Cotton
German Shepherd / Catahoula
7 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Fever
Lethargic
Shivering
Sounds Rumbly When He Breathes
My dog stopped eating and was laying around like a lump. Took him to the vet and they can't find anything wrong with his blood work and heart worm test came back negative. Yet when I took him home they said his temperature was 103.3. They gave him antibiotics and a pain medicine since he is having trouble getting around for unknown reasons. It's been two days. Shouldn't he have improved a bit by now? He will eat if you bring it to him, but he does not want to get up off his bed for anything.
Dozer and Jager
Beagle
8 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Fever,Soars, Loss Of Appetite
I have two beagles. One is 8 yrs old, the other 4. One day, my 8 yr old developed a fever, shaking, lethargic, loss of appetite. The next day it affected my 4 yr old. Both dogs would cry in pain if I touched their back. After about a week of being quite sick, the symptoms began to fade but I noticed my 8 yr old had soars all over his back where it seemed tender to touch them and his fur fell out where the soars were. they were mainly on his lower back, some on his hips and tail and my 4 yr old beagle had them as well although not as bad but his illness was not as bad either. The vets had no idea what caused this. Any ideas anyone ever hear of this?
Ronin
Pitbull mix
6 Months
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
Fever
Lethargy
Shivering
Wont Eat
Six month old Pit/Rott mix. Three weeks ago he had a back leg amputated due to 9 breaks in the femur (we found him that way). He was fine yesterday during the day, but last night he became lethargic, and then started with 'the shivers'. He ate dinner before this happened, but this morning he won't eat or drink. No diarrhea or vomitting, no coughing or discharge. He might have minor swelling in his remaining back leg and in his stump, but hard to tell. Very lethargic and not his normal self. At the vet his temp was 105.4, he has elevated white blood cell count and slight decrese in liver function, but no other abnormalities. He did try to drink stagnant water in the back yard, so I'm worried it could potentially be Leptospirosis. The vet is running tests and hes there on IV and antibiotics, but I wanted to share the experience and see if there was any additional insight. We've already spent well over 4K on this sweet puppy with all his shots and surgeries, and I'd hate so much to lose this sweet boy so soon after. We did give him a gabapentin last night (left over from surgery), when we thought he might be in pain.
Saint
Pit Bull/American bulldog
10 Years
Mild severity
1 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
Fever
Lethargy
Loss Of Appetite
Loss Of Appetitej
So my 18-year-old pitbull American bulldog mix was sick for almost 2 weeks straight. He wouldn’t eat and was only drinking about half as much as normal. He was also having trouble passing his bowels and was running fever. I took him to our vet and they did blood test which came back normal except for an elevated white blood cell count. The doctor, with no visual signs of an infection couldn’t really say for sure what type of infection it could be. He is up to date on all of his shots and heartworm medicine. After prescribing him anabiotic‘s and a pain medication I believe for 10 days he was still not acting 100% like normal I made a appointment to take him back to the vet this past Friday. When I got home from work on last Thursday he was back to normalRunning and greeting me at the door again appetite was back and his fever was gone so here we are five days later and he is beginning to show symptoms of a fever and lethargy again I just don’t know what to do I can’t afford another vet visit at the moment I just dont know what to do
Fever Average Cost
From 205 quotes ranging from $300 - $8,000
Average Cost
$1,000
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© 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
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