How to understand and what to do if the dog has a temperature, is it possible to give paracetamol or other tablets. Dog temperature? What to do

Unlike humans, dogs have a normal body temperature 2-3 degrees higher. But, as in humans, in pets, t ° can rise and fall for a number of reasons, including those that are painful. In some cases, fluctuations in t ° may be completely unnoticed by the owner.

How to measure

First of all, you need to purchase a thermometer, usually they use an electronic one, used exclusively for animals. Glass models are not safe and take longer to measure. It is impossible to measure t ° by touch on the nose, because a dry and warm nose does not always indicate health problems. In dogs, the temperature is measured rectally, because this method gives the most accurate readings. The best time to measure is in the evening, before meals, but not after walking or training.

No matter how unpleasant it is, there is no other exact way. For the animal, the process is also not pleasant. Therefore, the help of one of the family members, a friend, who would hold the animal, especially the large one, may be required. The assistant must act correctly, namely, put one hand around the neck of the animal, and wrap the other around the stomach, pressing the animal to him. It is possible to measure the temperature of a dog in a standing position, but it is much more convenient if the animal is in a lying position on its side.

Before using the thermometer, its tip is smeared with petroleum jelly or baby oil. Then you need to lift the tail and gently but quickly insert the thermometer into the rectum by about 1-2 cm, depending on the size of the pet. The thermometer is held for 1-3 minutes (depending on the type of thermometer). Then, also gently remove the thermometer.

If you still have problems with measuring t°, then, in extreme cases, you can measure t° in the armpit. The thermometer is placed in the armpit and the pet is kept calm until the values ​​​​appear, which the device will report with a sound signal. This method takes a little more time and gives approximate results.

normal temperature

The body temperature of dogs can vary depending on the size, age, and activity level of the animal. By the way, in bare breeds, t ° is the same as in representatives of breeds with a coat. The difference is only in the perception of the sensation when the hand touches the skin and wool, the skin seems warmer, and the wool is cooler.

The normal body temperature of a dog is 37.2-38.9 degrees. In puppies and older individuals, the indicators are lower - about 38.5, and in active animals - higher.

The temperature in small dogs is slightly higher than in representatives of large breeds, is 38.5-39 degrees.

*excluding pregnant bitches, if there are no complications during childbirth

Temperature in a dog before childbirth

Two weeks before delivery, it is recommended to measure the body temperature of the bitch twice a day (morning and evening) and record the results. 24 hours before delivery, the dog's temperature drops to 36.6-37.2 degrees, which is completely normal. There are exceptions, in some bitches there are no changes in the rectal t ° of the body, or the indicators may change before the first birth, and remain unchanged in the subsequent ones.

Decreased values ​​can be kept for 1-2 days after birth, but if symptoms of fever, signs of depression are observed, the bitch drinks a lot of water, then you should contact your veterinarian. Perhaps these signs signal a uterine infection, retained placenta, or even a puppy.

If the bitch is unable to whelp within 24 hours of the temperature drop and the gestation period is more than 68 days, a veterinarian should be consulted.

Causes of low and high temperature

An increase in t ° in pets after physical exertion is completely normal, since the work of the muscles stimulates the production of heat. After eating, t ° can rise by 1-2 degrees, which is caused by the process of digestion.

If the pet is worried, is in a stressful state, then the t ° of his body may increase. High fever can be caused by heat stroke, poisoning, brain tumors, infectious diseases.

Newborn puppies have a body temperature of 38.5 degrees, but babies are not able to control their own body temperature and are very dependent on external heat. Even at normal room temperature, they are prone to hypothermia. Therefore, it is important to keep puppies in a warm place (about 30 degrees Celsius).

Hypothermia is characterized by an abnormally low body temperature. Hypothermia comes in three forms. With a mild form, t ° of the body is 32-35 degrees, with an average - 28-32 degrees, with a severe one - below 28 degrees. When hypothermia, the body is not able to retain heat, which leads to depression of the central nervous system, there is a negative effect on the functions of the cardiovascular system, breathing. The result can be coma and death. More susceptible to cold and prone to hypothermia are representatives of small breeds, animals with injuries, elderly individuals, and puppies.

Certain drugs, such as those used in anesthesia, can help lower body temperature. As well as diseases of the hypothalamus, hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, infectious diseases that affect the body's ability to regulate temperature.

The reaction of the animal's immune system to diseases of a bacterial or viral nature (pneumonia, encephalitis, urinary tract infections) is fever. An increase in t ° at the same time indicates that the body is fighting an infection that could enter the body through cuts, bites, scratches, and bad teeth. Other causes include cancer, complications during childbirth. In such cases, it is highly not recommended to bring down the temperature of the dog on your own.

What to do if your dog has a fever

If the dog's body temperature is above 39-40 degrees or below 37 degrees and we are not talking about a puppy bitch before childbirth, then you should contact your veterinarian. No need to try to bring down the dog's temperature on your own, because at home it is impossible to determine the exact cause of the fluctuations. Low or high t ° in animals is only a symptom. Therefore, compresses or medicines will not help heal the animal. In addition, medicines intended for humans can be toxic. Given that a dog's temperature above 40 degrees can cause complications, taking toxic drugs only exacerbates the situation. Therefore, it is advisable to take the pet to a veterinary clinic or call a veterinarian at home. But if the cause is heatstroke, then a cold compress should be applied to the body, especially on the head, legs and ears. In this case, you should be careful not to allow hypothermia.

If we are talking about low t ° of the body, then it is necessary to take first aid measures. The animal must be kept warm to prevent additional heat loss. It is considered safe to warm the body by 0.5-1.5 degrees per hour. For mild hypothermia, blankets wrapped around the animal will help prevent heat loss. In moderate hypothermia, external heat sources (heating pads, hot water bottles, heaters) are used. In case of severe hypothermia, the help of a veterinarian is required, because they use fluids that are administered intravenously, oxygen. Warming should occur gradually, otherwise there may be complications, a sudden drop in blood pressure, a low pulse. Depending on the degree of hypothermia, body warming therapy continues for 2-10 hours.

According to the body temperature of a dog, you can assess the state of its health, but you can’t name a specific indicator - it is different for all breeds. depending on the temperament of the animal and its physiological state. It is important to know the temperature norm of your pet in order to understand when deviations begin.

Borders are considered normal temperature norms for dogs. from 37.5°С to 39.0°С. In puppies and dwarf breeds, these figures will be slightly overestimated, up to 39.2 ° C.

Important! If you want to determine the dog's body temperature and find out if he is healthy, your own subjective opinion cannot be an indicator, as well as determining the state of the dog's nose (whether it is wet or dry). Although, indeed, at an elevated temperature in a dog, the nose is usually dry.

Body temperature in different breeds can also be different. Large animals tend to be "colder". The smaller the puppy, the higher its temperature thresholds. This is due to the fact that metabolic processes in small breeds occur faster than in large ones.

So, if you follow the scheme, then approximate norms of body temperature of various dogs will fluctuate within the following limits:

  1. Small breeds of dogs - adult animals have a body temperature of 38.5 to 39.0 ° C, puppies 38.6 to 39.3 ° C.
  2. Average representatives - in adult animals, the temperature norm is 37.5-39.0 ° С. In children 38.3-39.1°C.
  3. Large dogs - adults from 37.4 to 38.3°C, puppies from 38.2 to 39.0°C.

In addition to the age and breed of the dog, body temperature may vary depending on weather, life circumstances, pregnancy, feeding puppies, etc. For example, in summer and hot weather, temperature standards can be overestimated by 0.5-1.5 ºС.

It will be possible to notice by pet behavior, he will look for a cooler place, often breathe and drink. The hot period of time is especially difficult for large breeds and dogs in old age.

AT prenatal period bitches have a drop in body temperature. If she gives birth at home, then you should measure your body temperature more often to predict the moment of childbirth. The beginning of the birth process will be signaled by a degree and a half lower body temperature.

The emotions of the animal can also contribute to changes in temperature. It can be joy, aggression, fear.

Therefore, the temperature of the dog up to 39 ºС are not always pathologically justified. But everything is individual. If, along with these numbers, you notice a general malaise of the pet, then you should show the animal to the veterinarian.

Causes of increased

Attention! With pathological changes in the body of a dog, hyperthermia can be observed. In order not to immediately panic, you should figure out for what reasons the body temperature of the animal may rise.

Diseases

Most often, this phenomenon occurs in dogs with the following pathological changes in the internal organs:

  1. Swelling of the brain when nerve endings and fibers are damaged.
  2. Increased blood coagulation, problems with cardiac activity.
  3. Dying of the lining of the intestinal section from the inside.
  4. Damage to the renal channels leading to organ failure.
  5. Suppression of the immune system.

The disease state of the dog can be affected many factors. For example, summer heat, dry air, and being in a stuffy room can lead to heat stroke.

Another reason for a dog's body elevation is drug overdose or exposure to toxic substances. For example, strychnine, anesthesia, organophosphorus compounds. Fever can develop with various infections.

Important! To measure the dog's body temperature, it is necessary to use a tonometer, the tip of which is pre-lubricated with petroleum jelly and then inserted into the anus of the animal to a depth of 1-2 cm. The duration of holding the tonometer will depend on its type.

Complications after castration or other surgery

This is another reason why a dog's body temperature rises. If you notice that postoperative sutures leak fluid or bleed, while the animal has hyperthermia, you should immediately inform the attending veterinarian about this.

Other reasons

To the most common causes of body temperature in dogs above 39-40ºС relate:

  1. Piroplasmosis.
  2. Distemper in animals.
  3. Endometritis in females.
  4. In puppies, teething body temperature can be affected.
  5. An important role is played by stressful situations.
  6. Animals can also suffer from allergies.
  7. Abscess, most often it develops after various skin injuries.
  8. Joint inflammation.

What to do when high?

Treatment should be carried out if, along with elevated body temperature, there are other symptoms of the disease e.g. loose stools, lethargy, lack of shine in the eyes, refusal to eat, presence of blood in the stool, poor coat condition, etc.

Lactating dogs may be warmer than usual as there is a lot of milk in their thoracic ducts. Limits can reach 39 ºС. But if the dog's body temperature has risen to 40 ºС and persists for a long time, then it is worth sounding the alarm. Possibly an infection.

Can it be knocked down?

To bring down the temperature or not to bring down is a very controversial issue. But what needs to be done is to call the veterinarian.

How and what to reduce at home?

If the condition of the dog leaves much to be desired, then you can bring down her temperature with the most gentle measures. For example, it will be enough to give an analgin tablet.

Attention! It is forbidden to give strong medicines without a doctor's prescription.

If you are sure that teething, stress or abscess was the cause of hyperthermia, then you can bring down the temperature with this composition:

  1. Mix one part of no-shpy and diphenhydramine and two parts of analgin.
  2. Enter the composition by intramuscular injection.

But even this procedure should be carried out by a doctor. Self-medication can harm your pet:

  1. The condition of the animal may worsen.
  2. Reduced body temperature by medicinal means will make it difficult to make an accurate diagnosis.

Why can't I give an ibuprofen or paracetamol tablet?

Sometimes the owner of the animal, in order to help his pet, begins to stuff him with medicines intended for people, such as ibuprofen, ibuklin, etc. All of them belong to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and have a lot of side effects.

In animals, these drugs can cause unpredictable complications, and they develop much more frequently than in humans. For example, even one tablet of ibuprofen can lead to stomach bleeding at the dog. And this is an extremely dangerous complication that leads to the death of the animal if medical assistance is not provided in a timely manner.

To other side effects These medications include:

  • vomiting;
  • malfunctions of the liver and kidneys;
  • confusion;
  • the occurrence of thrombi.

How to help a pet?

Hyperthermia in animals is not a disease, but a reaction of the body, and the task of the owner is to identify the pathology that caused the fever. A veterinarian can help with this. But for now
the doctor did not come, you should not sit idly by.
You can alleviate the condition of your pet by the following actions.

  1. In order for the temperature in the animal's body to function more easily, it is worth lower the room temperature. To do this, ventilate the room or turn on the air conditioner. The ideal temperature for the room is 18-20 ºС. But drafts should be avoided, and the floor should not be cold.
  2. Don't chase your animal, physical activity in a painful condition of the dog should be minimal.
  3. try drink more the animal, even if it does not drink on its own, you do it, for example, with a syringe.
  4. You don't need to feed the dog. If she refuses food.

Useful video

Watch a video from a veterinarian about the causes of fever in dogs and how to treat it:

Conclusion

Remember that you first need to determine the cause of hyperthermia, and only then apply therapeutic actions. But you can't handle it on your own Only a veterinarian can help you in this. When the diagnosis is made, the doctor will prescribe adequate treatment for your pet.

In contact with

By determining that your dog has a fever, you can start treatment in time and prevent further deterioration of his condition. While the only reliable way to measure a dog's body temperature is with a rectal thermometer, knowing how to quickly determine a dog's fever without using a thermometer can be of enormous benefit.

Steps

Part 1

Estimating a dog's body temperature

    Feel the dog's ears and paws. A dog with a high fever usually has very hot ears and paws. You can assess its temperature by touching your pet's ears and paws with sensitive areas of your body - your cheek or the back of your hand. Is your dog's skin warmer than yours? A healthy dog ​​has a slightly higher body temperature than a human.

    • There are a lot of blood vessels in a dog's ears and paws, and when she has a fever, these parts of the body become hot due to the movement of immune system cells to those areas where there is an infection. Increasing the circulation of these cells in the blood leads to the release of additional heat in the blood vessels.
    • If the right and left ear have a different temperature, this is a deviation from the norm. Usually, if one ear is warmer than the other, this is a sign of local inflammation of the ear rather than a general fever.
  1. Feel the dog's nose. If he has a greenish or yellowish discharge from his nose, the dog probably has a fever and an infection. Such discharge may mean that your dog's body is fighting a respiratory infection, although this only becomes clear in more severe cases. Certain diseases, such as canine distemper and adenovirus (so-called kennel cough), also have similar clinical signs. Therefore, if you notice a greenish or yellowish nasal discharge in your dog, take him to the veterinarian immediately.

    • The temperature and humidity in the body of a healthy dog ​​vary within certain limits. It is a myth that dogs always have a cold and wet nose. In fact, the nose can be dry for several reasons: for example, if the dog is lying in the sun, after sleeping near the battery or after exercise, or when his body is dehydrated. What nose does your dog usually have? Did she do any of the above that could cause her nose to become dry and hot?
  2. Feel the armpits and groin area of ​​the dog. With fever and infection, these areas are usually swollen and hot. You can test with the back of your hand for hot lymph nodes in your armpits and groin area. But in order for you to feel the temperature correctly, your hands must be at a normal temperature and not cold or hot.

    • The lymph nodes contain cells of the immune system that fight bacteria and viruses. They protect the blood by filtering out infection-causing microorganisms: when an infection enters the body, the lymph nodes prevent it from spreading. At the same time, they are filled with cells of the immune system, which secrete various substances that, when they enter the brain, initiate an increase in temperature. As a result of the simultaneous occurrence of various protective reactions, the lymph nodes become inflamed, swelling and heating up at the same time.
    • Since dogs have very little hair in the armpit and groin area, you can easily check whether they are hot or not.
  3. Examine the dog's gums. If she has a fever, her gums may be warm and dry to the touch. Another important sign is reddening of the gums, especially if they are brick red. This may indicate a high temperature or even sepsis.

    • If a dog has healthy gums, they should be moist, shiny, and almost as pink as human gums. Lift the dog's upper lip at the top canine and touch the gum with the tip of your index finger, tasting how hot and moist it is. Is its color, temperature and humidity almost the same as yours? If not, then the dog may have an infection.
  4. The dog may also have a fever. If she has health problems or is going through shock, her body temperature may be lowered. In addition, she may experience physiological adaptations to this temperature, such as shivering and goosebumps. An animal with excessively low body temperature can be very lethargic and very weak. In this case, contact your veterinarian immediately.

    • Keep in mind that a dog's shivering does not always mean that its body temperature is low; it may be a response to stress, fear, or pain. If you don't know why your dog is shaking, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

    Part 2

    Assessment of the appearance of the dog
    1. Look for other signs of a fever. In addition to body temperature, the dog may show other physical signs of a fever. It is important to be alert and notice changes in normal behavior and physiological processes, from difficulty passing a bowel movement to coughing and sneezing, as these signs may indicate an infection. Possible symptoms include:

      • poor appetite
      • Lethargy, sluggishness and passivity
      • Weakness
      • Vomit
      • Stomach upset
      • Sleep throughout the day
      • Desire to be away from other dogs
    2. Observe the appearance and behavior of the dog. If the dog has a very high temperature, you will be able to feel the heat emanating from his body, being at a distance of about half a meter from him and without even touching him. You may notice a number of other symptoms listed below.

      • The dog may have long periods of shortness of breath, and you will feel his hot breath against your cheek.
      • The animal may be thirsty and drink more than usual as it loses large amounts of fluid when panting.
      • Fever can cause joint pain. This is manifested in the fact that the dog avoids physical activity, it is difficult for her to get up, she walks slowly and awkwardly, or even limps.
      • At high temperatures, your pet will be withdrawn, quiet and lethargic. Feeling uncomfortable and irritated, the dog may also show unusual aggression when touched.
      • The dog does not want to take care of his appearance, and his coat seems disheveled and unkempt, too dry or greasy.
    3. Pet the dog, play with it a little, trying to get it involved in the game. Remember how your pet looks when he healthy. Is his body warmer than usual? Are your eyes dull? Wool less silky? Is your dog less active and responsive than usual? These changes in physical condition and behavior may indicate illness.

      If your dog seems to be fine, check back in an hour. If her body is hot, but she does not show any signs of illness, and her behavior is normal, let her rest in a cool place for an hour and then check the temperature again. Since a fever is a natural defensive reaction of the body, it may be enough to simply wait it out if there is nothing serious.

      • Remember, if the temperature of the extremities rises and the animal behaves unnaturally, this is more serious than a fever in an otherwise seemingly healthy dog. In this case, you should not worry about a high temperature, but about an infection.

      Part 3

      Causes of fever in dogs
      1. Fever is a normal protective reaction of the body. In most cases, it does not pose much of a threat. On the contrary, an elevated temperature often indicates that the body is fighting infection or recovering. However, in some cases, a fever can be a sign of a bacterial infection. If your dog shows any unusual symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

        When in doubt, contact your veterinarian to get a diagnosis from a professional. If symptoms are present, action must be taken; fever should be taken especially seriously if it persists for more than 24 hours. Perhaps the veterinarian will prescribe an antipyretic that will bring the temperature down very quickly.

      2. Take into account other ailments that cause fever. If your dog's fever is related to another, often more serious condition, you will notice a corresponding set of symptoms. It could be a serious respiratory or gastrointestinal infection. Keep the following in mind:

        • In the case of a respiratory infection, dogs tend to cough and sneeze, have a runny nose and watery eyes. Often this negatively affects the activity of the animal and its sleep.
        • With a gastrointestinal infection or inflammation, the dog may not have an appetite and often suffer from vomiting or indigestion. If you suspect your dog has a gastrointestinal infection, take him outside when he wants to go to the bathroom to monitor his stool and urine. Does she have an upset stomach? Is there blood in her urine?
        • If you notice any of the above disorders, consult your veterinarian immediately. There is a possibility that the animal's body is infected; Fever is just one of many symptoms to look out for.

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

How to tell if your dog has a fever

The normal temperature of a dog 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 mistakenly believe that body temperature can be determined by the nose of an animal. This is not true. A dog's sense of smell works best when the nose is moist. Therefore, the dog often licks it with his tongue. And when the dog is sleeping, she does not need the scent, at the moment she relies more on hearing. Therefore, the nose becomes dry. It is for this reason that it is impossible to draw a conclusion about an elevated temperature only by the nose. But how do you know if a dog has a fever? What signs should alert the owner?

  1. If the dog is looking for a cold spot in the house. It can be a wet rag on the threshold, a tiled floor in a toilet, a basement. The dog tries in this way to lower its body temperature on its own.
  2. If the dog drinks a lot. At a temperature, the body burns and, in order to make up for the loss of fluid, the dog tries to drink a lot.
  3. The condition of the dog is changing. She becomes lethargic, she loses her appetite, refuses to play, tries to retire. When a pet behaves this way, you need to understand why this is happening.
  4. Feel 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 the temperature is to measure it. To do this, place the tip of the thermometer in the anus of the animal and wait a bit. It is best to use an electronic thermometer - it works 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 an increase in body temperature in a dog

As you know, body temperature in humans and animals rises 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 simply overheated. In dogs, this happens quite often and does not require special treatment. You just need to water the dog and leave it in a cool place.

Another common cause of fever in dogs is nervous experiences. If the dog is given to a new home, if he has changed his place of residence or owner, and also if he is in a crowded and noisy place, this can provoke a fever. 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 the dog has painful injuries or open wounds, they can cause fever. 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 must be carefully monitored.

The most common cause of an increase in the body in an animal is a protective reaction of the body to a virus, bacterium, 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 other dog symptoms. He may have had vomiting or diarrhea, blood in the 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 bring down the temperature of a dog at home on your own.

  1. First you need to provide a cool room. If the dog lies down in a cool place, do not chase him. In the cold season, open the windows, ventilate the room. In the hot season, on the contrary, draw the curtains from the sun and turn on the air conditioner.
  2. Provide your pet with free access to clean drinking water. If necessary, solder 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 just wet the dog's coat. Place wet rags on the inside of the thighs.
  4. If the dog's temperature is above 40 degrees, you need to use medication. The temperature in dogs is brought down by 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 the form of syrup. If the dog refuses to drink it, you can put half a tablet on the back of the tongue - the animal will certainly swallow it.
  6. When the temperature is too high, antipyretic suppositories, such as Cefekon, can be used to quickly reduce it. It is best to use children's candles. If you only have an adult dosage at 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 children's dosage. One teaspoon of baby syrup is usually sufficient.

After an antipyretic, relief and a decrease in temperature come 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 the temperature of an animal

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

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

But, the figures may vary slightly, depending on the size and age of the animal.
For example, the normal temperature in small breed dogs will be slightly higher than in large or medium breeds. It depends on the more intensive metabolism in small tetrapods.

The temperature in dogs 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, puppies up to six months old can see the number 39 on the thermometer. And if the babies are healthy, then the reasons are as follows:

teething
intensive growth of all organs and systems
the thermoregulation mechanism is not yet balanced (without a mother, cooling occurs and the temperature drops, and on hot days the temperature can rise)
stress
graft

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

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

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

Heatstroke
distemper
enteritis
piroplasmosis
bitch endometriosis
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 behavior and condition of the dog, immediately measure the temperature.

How to understand that an animal has a temperature?

We all know a certain myth that a dry and hot nose is necessarily a high temperature. Not always. Warm nose can be 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. Recall that the temperature in dogs is normal if its indicators are from 37.5 to 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 the temperature of a dog 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, as it is safe for both animals and people.

Taking 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 petroleum jelly to the tip of the thermometer
take the tail to the side and very carefully insert the thermometer into the rectum by 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 lay the dog. 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. It is urgent to call the veterinary clinic, tell the situation and ask what drug is better to bring down the high temperature.

2. If it is not possible to get through to the doctor, then you can give the dog paracetamol for fever. A large dog is given an adult dosage, a small one - exclusively for children. But keep in mind that the unauthorized prescription of drugs from your medicine cabinet 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 drink it with a tablespoon, gently opening your mouth and pouring water over the cheek.

4 . Cover sides and back with wet towels

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

6. Apply a damp towel to your inner thighs.

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

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 when the temperature is high?

Temperature 40,5 and higher:

Dehydration
decreased appetite
cardiopalmus
apathy
lethargy

Temperature 41.1 and higher:

Critical dehydration
possible disturbances in the work of internal organs and swelling of the brain
cardiopalmus
shortness of breath
convulsions
wheezing
loss of consciousness
reduced motor activity
impaired urine flow

We are sure that a high temperature in a dog will not scare you. And you will act quickly, decisively and correctly.

Causes of Low Temperatures in Dogs

Yes, it happens. Low temperature is the other side of the same coin. Hypothermia is also extremely dangerous for dogs. First of all for puppies and dogs at respectable age. Why hypothermia occurs, how to recognize and what to do, we will talk already in

Be healthy!

Always yours, Balabaki Dogs.

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