What is Low Body Temperature?
Hypothermia can be a progressive condition. As low body temperature continues, the body's ability to bring itself back to normal temperatures can decrease. Depression of the circulatory, central nervous, respiratory and the immune systems are seen with hypothermia. Untreated, low body temperature can lead to difficulty breathing, an irregular heartbeat, and unconsciousness.
Hypothermia is the term for an abnormally low body temperature. At below normal temperature levels, the body’s physiologic and metabolic functions are depressed. An irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, and impaired consciousness to the point of coma may result.
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Symptoms of Low Body Temperature in Dogs
Initial signs, seen in cases of mild hypothermia include:
- Heat-seeking/burrowing in blankets
- Shivering
- Weakness
- Mental depression
As hypothermia progresses to a moderate level, signs include:
- Shallow breathing
- Stiff movement
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Lethargy
Severe hypothermia is exhibited by the following signss:
- Labored breathing
- Slow, weak heartbeat
- Fixed and dilated pupils
- Unconsciousness or coma
- Death
Types
Hypothermia may be classified by cause:
- Primary hypothermia: The body exhibits normal heat production. Low body temperature results from exposure to low environmental temperatures.
- Secondary hypothermia: The body exhibits abnormal heat production as a result of injury, illness, or drugs.
Hypothermia severity may be classified by body temperature:
- Mild: Body temperature of 90 - 99°F (32 - 35°C)
- Moderate: Body temperature of 82 - 90°F (28 - 32°C)
- Severe: Body temperature less than 82°F (28°C)
Causes of Low Body Temperature in Dogs
- Exposure to external cold, wet and/or extreme drafts can result in heat loss.
- Smaller animals have high surface-area-to-body-mass ratios and are more susceptible.
- Injury can prevent seeking heat and/or thermoregulation
- Certain drugs such as those used for anesthesia in surgery can inhibit the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
- Newborn pups are more susceptible to hypothermia even at normal room temperatures.
- Geriatric pets can be more susceptible to hypothermia.
- Hypothalamic disease affects the brain’s regulation of body temperature and can contribute to heat loss.
- Hypothyroidism, low thyroid hormone production, can contribute to heat loss.
Diagnosis of Low Body Temperature in Dogs
The best chance of recovery from hypothermia comes with early diagnosis and treatment. If your pet is exhibiting symptoms of hypothermia such as heat-seeking, weakness, lethargy, or others mentioned above, carefully and gently wrap the pet in blankets and transport them to the veterinarian.
At the veterinarian, a thermometer will be used to measure the pet’s body temperature. A thorough history will often be obtained to aid in determining the possible causes of the observed symptoms. A physical examination for heartbeat irregularities or abnormal breathing can establish whether the hypothermia is mild, moderate or severe.
Blood tests may be performed to determine possible alternative contributors to the hypothermia such as the presence of drugs, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, or other physical disorders. Analysis of the urine can also reveal possible reasons for abnormal thermoregulation. The veterinarian may choose to monitor the pet’s heart rhythms with an electrocardiogram (EKG).
Treatment of Low Body Temperature in Dogs
Therapeutic goals are directed toward rewarming the patient and preventing additional body heat loss. The body can be safely rewarmed at 0.5-1.5 degrees Celsius per hour. Three rewarming techniques are available and used according to the degree of hypothermia severity.
- Passive External Rewarming
- In mild hypothermia, the animal’s own metabolism continues to produce heat. Blankets or other insulating covers will aid in preventing further heat loss. Natural body functions such as shivering will also contribute to rewarming.
- Active External Rewarming
- Moderate cases of hypothermia require the use of external heat sources such as hot water bottles, heating pads and radiant heaters.
- Active Internal Rewarming
- Severe cases of hypothermia require the use of invasive warming. Administration of warm intravenous (IV) fluids can aid in bringing body temperatures back to normal levels. Oxygen administration may also be used to promote recovery.
- Treatment risks:
- Rewarming must be conducted carefully and body temperature monitored constantly to avoid complications.
- After drop is a phenomenon seen as the body temperature continues to decrease during rewarming. Rewarmed blood moves to the extremities, pushing cold blood from the extremities inward to core organs.
- Rewarming shock can result from rapid rewarming causing a sudden drop in blood pressure. Combined with low cardiac output, this can potentially further compromise the circulatory system.
Treatment duration:
Rewarming therapy should continue until normal body temperature is reached (usually 2-10 hours, depending on severity). The patient may then continue to be monitored for 24-72 hours, depending on severity.
Rewarming therapy should continue until normal body temperature is reached (usually 2-10 hours, depending on severity). The patient may then continue to be monitored for 24-72 hours, depending on severity.
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Recovery of Low Body Temperature in Dogs
Recovery from hypothermia can be complete if the condition is diagnosed early and treated. Follow up appointments at and/or two weeks following treatment may be suggested to monitor the patient for any long-term complications.
In moderate to severe cases, long-term damage can occur to organs that were not supplied with sufficient circulation while at low body temperature. The extent of long-term damage may not be detectable for days or weeks post-treatment. The veterinarian may suggest various follow up appointments to monitor physiologic processes post-treatment for hypothermia.
Patients who are at high risk for hypothermia may require long-term care, such as incubation, to keep the body temperature stable.
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Low Body Temperature Average Cost
From 1682 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
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Low Body Temperature Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
American Staffordshire Terrier
One Year
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Low Body Temp
My dog is acting tired and has a low body temp
Aug. 3, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
3 Recommendations
Hello-
If your pet is lethargic and hypothermic that is pretty worrisome. I would recommend taking her to a local veterinary ER or your veterinarian immediately so they can assess the cause of her low body temperature and her lethargy. They will likely want to perform bloodwork and x-rays. Normal body temperature for a dog is 100 to 102.5 Fahrenheit. If they get hypothermic and haven’t been out in cold/snow it worries me that there could be serious organ dysfunction going on making them unable to regulate their temp. I hope she gets better soon.
Aug. 3, 2020
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Pit Bull
One Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Low Body Temperature, Throwing Up After Drinking Water
I’ve noticed that she is cold to the touch while sleeping tonight, and ever since we adopted her in January from the humane society she doesn’t know how to control her water intake and will drink until she throws up every time so we have to regulate her water
July 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello,
So sorry to hear about your dog. Some dogs will be cold to the touch but their body temperature is actually normal. Give her some blankets to cuddle up in to help keep her skin warm. If you have taken her temperature and it is actually low, you can use a heating blanket or heating pad under her bed to help keep her warm.
Continue to only allow her to drink small amounts of water at a time. A good thing to try to do is to add ice to the water so he will slowly get water as the ice melts and not drink a whole bowl of water at one time.
July 26, 2020
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Chihuahua
2 mos and 13 days
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Low Temp 37 And Locked Jaw
my puppy had her 2nd vaccine shot yesterday around 1pm,,then after 1 day she just lay on the bed not wagging or moving and hard to open her mouth,,,is there an effect bec of her vaccine shot? but this was her 2nd shot already? i suspect that she seizured bec my husband saw that she was moving her feet and said that she was dreaming but i doubt that that was a seizure,,,
July 19, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Small puppies are prone to episodes of low blood sugar, unrelated to vaccinations. If she does that again, you can put a little Karo syrup on her gums, and see if that helps. If it continues, that is not a normal post-vaccination effect, and it would be best to get her to a veterinarian right away.
I hope that she is okay.
July 19, 2020
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Pit Bull
Eleven Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cold
my dogs gums are pale. His nose mouth and paws/body are cold to touch. We were able to get him to eat chicken and eggs
July 11, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
1 Recommendations
Hello,
If your dog has pale gums, it would be best for your dog to see a vet right away. We worry about internal bleeding with pale gums. Your vet would be able to give your dog a blood transfusion and help him feel much better.
I hope your dog starts to feel better soon.
July 11, 2020
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Low Body Temperature Average Cost
From 1682 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$750
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