How to tell if your dog has a fever

The reliable way to tell if a dog has a fever is torectal temperature(in clinic or with veterinary thermometer). Touching the nose or ears is not diagnostic. If there is apathy, tremors or refusal of food, contact the veterinarian; never give human paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Reference:AVMA — dogs; AAHA—guidelines

How to tell if your dog has a fever

1. Rectal temperature:in dogs, a common resting range is around ~38.0–39.2 °C; Above this, hyperthermia/fever is usually considered to be evaluated in a clinical context. Only measure if you know how to do it safely; If not, describe signs and go to the clinic.
2. Accompanying signs:apathy, tremors, excessive heat to the touch, refusal of food, panting at rest, glassy eyes.
3. Context:Intense exercise, closed car, heat stroke, recent vaccination, injury, vomiting/diarrhea
4. Don't diagnose through the nose:A hot or cold truffle does not replace thermometry.

Fever versus environmental heat

After running or in the heat, the temperature can rise without infection. Prioritize shade, water and ventilation. HeheatstrokeIt's an emergency: don't wait "for it to pass."

What not to do

• Never ibuprofen, paracetamol or other human NSAIDs/antipyretics (toxic in dogs).
• No impromptu ice baths or alcohol pads.
• Do not "wait and see" if there is collapse, dyspnea or a high-risk animal (puppy, senior, chronic).

What to bring to the consultation

• Chronology (when it started), temperature if someone trained measured it, vaccines, travel, possible toxins.
• Appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, lameness, gum color.

Frequently asked questions