Temperature in a dog, what can the owner do at home. Everything you need to know about dog body temperature

A change in temperature in dogs is the main indicator of well-being, suggesting that something is wrong with the pet. Normal temperatures vary slightly between breeds. Individual indicators for each dog, so measurements are carried out regularly. In an adult dog, the temperature ranges from 37.5 ° to 38.5 °. The normal temperature for puppies is 39°. The breed also affects body temperature: the larger the animal, the “cold-blooded” it is. If the normal body temperature of a small breed dog in a normal state is 38.5-39 °, in large ones it is higher - 37.4-38.3 °.

It happens that the owners are worried about the high temperature of the pet. Start with a complete examination of the dog, determine if the behavior is different from normal. The human body regulates temperature by sweating, quickly cooling the body. Dogs do not sweat; sweat glands are present in several breeds. Cooling, pets stick out their tongue and begin to breathe frequently.

dog body temperature

The body temperature of a healthy dog ​​ranges from 37.5 to 39.0°C. The indicator is individual, determined by the environment, the age of the animal, the physiological state and breed.

Veterinarians explain the difference in body temperature between an adult dog and a puppy by the speed of metabolism. In puppies and representatives of small breeds, metabolic processes occur faster, so the body is warmer. This fact explains the difference in heart rate.

Let's compare the average body temperature of dogs of different groups:

• small breeds: puppies - from 38.6 to 39.3 °, adults - from 38.5 to 39.0 °;
• medium breeds: 38.3 - 39.1° and 37.5 - 39.0°, respectively;
• large dogs: puppies - from 38.2 to 39.0 °, adults - 37.4 - 38.3 °.

There are other factors that affect temperature. The first is weather conditions. In summer, in hot weather, the temperature rises by 0.5-1.5 °. The dog is looking for a cool place, sleeps, breathes often, cooling down. The heat is not well tolerated by dogs of large breeds; older pets do not like it.

The dog's body temperature drops by a degree and a half before giving birth. It is recommended to regularly measure the temperature of pregnant dogs, more accurately determining the moment of birth.

Fright, aggression, excitement, other emotions of a healthy dog ​​are a factor that affects the temperature. Changing her condition is normal. A temperature of 39°C is not considered dangerous and does not require intervention. But remember, everyone is different.

A significant increase or decrease in temperature, accompanied by symptoms of illness, indicates the need for a visit to the veterinarian or a house call.

Show specimens and dogs that have had an illness or injury are advised to keep special schedule diaries. The temperature of the animal is regularly determined at the appointed time, preferably three times a day. The indicators are entered into special tables, graphs are built. If you notice a deviation from the norm - an increase or decrease in temperature, try to identify the cause. Assess the general condition of the pet.

When to take your dog's temperature

It is not necessary to constantly measure the temperature of a pet, according to a special schedule, the temperature of breeding puppies is checked. But knowing what body temperature a dog has is important so as not to miss a critical situation.

The temperature is constantly monitored in the following cases: before and after vaccinations, during pregnancy, before and after childbirth.

A number of suspicious symptoms that have appeared in a dog require an urgent temperature measurement in order to prevent a possible disease. Pay attention to factors:

• refusal to eat;
• increased thirst;
• lethargy;
• pale tongue and gums;
• hot dry nose;
• convulsions, vomiting and diarrhea.

Attention! Wet and cold or, conversely, a hot nose does not determine the temperature of the dog, but many owners believe the opposite. You can find out what temperature your pet has by measuring it.

If the dog is sick, it makes sense to start a "temperature diary" and record the results in the morning and evening.

What does a dog's temperature mean?

For a short period, the dog's body temperature rises in too hot weather, after intense physical exertion, with excitement, fear. Bitches are in heat.
A prolonged high temperature indicates a problem. A smooth increase in temperature by 1-2 degrees, without jumps, causes alertness. At a temperature of 40 ° sound the alarm.

The temperature rises with heat stroke, piroplasmosis, endometritis in females and other diseases. Other causes are teething in puppies from 3 to 9 months, stress, allergies, skin abscess, inflammation of the joints.

A decrease in temperature is caused by parvovirus enteritis in puppies, helminthic invasion.

The lowered body temperature of the dog in the prenatal period is a sign of the imminent appearance of puppies. A week before giving birth, constantly monitor the condition of the bitch. The day before delivery, the temperature drops by 2 degrees, sometimes lower.

The dog's temperature drops after surgery. Wrap your dog warmer, consult a veterinarian.

What to do if your dog has a fever

The temperature is measured in case of atypical behavior or condition of the pet. For example, diarrhea or vomiting appeared. The dog is lethargic, there is no shine in the eyes, the condition of the coat is poor. Refusal to eat, frequent urge to urinate, blood in the urine or stool are signs of disease. Take your temperature right away.

Keep in mind: often the temperature rises due to natural causes. The body temperature of a dog after childbirth in the first 2-3 days rises to 39.3 degrees, especially if the mother has a lot of milk. An increase of up to 40 degrees is abnormal, in the first days after the appearance of the puppies, constantly monitor the temperature of the mother.

Remember! A temperature that is outside the normal range indicates the presence of a viral infection. Contact your veterinarian immediately. Self-measured temperature will help determine the cause of the dog’s ill health, decide whether to go to the clinic on your own or use the service of calling a veterinarian at home.

If fever is accompanied by painful symptoms (dark or foul-smelling discharge in the bitch, lumps appear in the milk beds), contact your veterinarian immediately: there is a high risk of endometritis (inflammation of the uterus) or mastitis.

When faced with an abnormal temperature in a dog, remember: a change in temperature is not a cause, but a consequence, a signal of malfunctions in the dog's body. If the cause of the fever is unknown, do not home treat, go to the veterinarian.

Methods for urgently lowering the temperature of a dog become relevant only with a rapid deterioration in the condition. While waiting for the doctor, bring down the temperature in gentle ways, for example, with an analgin tablet. Do not give your dog strong drugs.

The temperature, clearly caused by stress, teething or abscess, is independently removed with a mixture of no-shpa, analgin and diphenhydramine 1:2:1, administered intramuscularly. In doubtful cases, it is not safe to use drugs that reduce or increase the temperature on your own. There is a risk of deterioration in the condition of the pet, the clinical picture of the disease is disturbed, making it difficult to make a diagnosis. The veterinarian will determine the type of infection, the cause of the disease, and prescribe treatment. Strictly follow the instructions of the doctor, do not cancel the medication yourself.

Rules for transporting a sick animal to a veterinary clinic:

• at a temperature of 40 ° and above, disturb her less, apply ice in a bag to the body;
• at temperatures below 36.5 °, wrap the dog, apply a warm heating pad, protecting it from hypothermia.

The normal body temperature of a dog, the possible reasons for its change are individual parameters. They are determined in a healthy pet. A change in temperature is a sign of the body's fight against infection. The doctor prescribes treatment, but only an attentive owner recognizes that the dog's health has changed.

How to take a dog's temperature

To measure the temperature of a pet use:

1. Standard mercury thermometer. An economical option that allows you to have a separate device for a special canine purpose. Temperature measurement procedure - 3-5 minutes.
2. Digital Thermometer. Use will cause the dog a minimum of inconvenience, the time spent is 20-30 seconds.

For hygienic reasons, a separate thermometer is kept for the dog, if there are several pets, a personal thermometer is bought for each.

Remember, a dog's body temperature is independent of the warmth of its nose. The nose is the organ of smell. A cold, wet nose smells better. A vigorous healthy dog ​​constantly licks it, special glands moisten and cool the tip of the nose. A sleeping animal does not need a sense of smell, priority is given to hearing. Without wetting, the nose gradually heats up, becomes dry, hot. It turns out that the nose does little to unambiguously assess the condition of the four-legged patient.

Measuring a dog's temperature is a simple process, but it requires a careful approach, especially if done for the first time.

1. The tip of the dog thermometer is pre-lubricated with petroleum jelly, baby cream, levomekol gel, and so on.
2. Zero the thermometer readings with a sharp wave of the hand (mercury thermometer) or by pressing a special button (electronic).
3. Lay the animal on its side. Accustomed to the procedure, the temperature of the dog is measured in a standing position. Carefully lift the tail, insert the thermometer into the anus by 1.5-2 centimeters. You can lean the tip of the thermometer against one of the walls of the dog's rectum.
4. If you use a conventional thermometer, you need to wait 5 minutes, with an electronic one, the process will take no more than a minute.

Animals cannot tell that they are in pain. And often they even hide the pain so as not to upset the owner. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the dog, pay attention to even minor changes. One of the indicators of health is body temperature. Deviations from the norm in one direction or the other may indicate the presence of an infection.

Deviation of indicators is not a disease, but a consequence of inflammatory processes. Therefore, it is not enough to normalize the heat transfer value. A decrease or increase can indicate a wide variety of diseases of an infectious or non-infectious origin. It is necessary to show the pet to a doctor who diagnoses the disease, prescribes procedures or prescribes drugs.

Norm values ​​for different breeds

Usually body heat depends on the age, size of the pet and physiological processes (estrus, cutting teeth, whelping). Adults of large breeds tend to be the "coldest" compared to small and medium breeds and puppies. Small or young pets have a faster metabolism than giants, so "babies" are hotter. It should be borne in mind that the more heat the body gives off, the more intense the breathing and heartbeat. A hot puppy with rapid heartbeats is a completely healthy representative of the Canine family.

The standards include the following indicators:

• puppies - 38-39°C;
• small breeds - 38.5-39 ° C;
• medium breeds - 37.5-39 ° C;
• large dogs - 37.5-38.3 ° C.

Regardless of the breed and growth of the pet, the temperature limit is 40 ° C. A deviation from the norm of half a degree to one side or the other is not a cause for concern if the dog is active and cheerful.

Measurement method

No special skills are required. Only trusting contact with the animal is needed, since the procedure is not the most pleasant - it is carried out rectally. Mercury or electronic thermometers are used to measure temperature. In the first case, the manipulation takes about five minutes. A minute is enough to fix the indicators with an electronic device. The process is conditionally divided into three stages.

1. Training . Wash and dry the thermometer. Reset the values ​​and grease the temperature sensitive part with petroleum jelly or other greasy cream. Lay your dog down gently or secure it in a standing position.
2. Measurement . Gently, in a circular motion, insert the thermometer into the anus by about 2 cm (depending on the size of the animal). Holding with your hand, hold for 60 seconds or five minutes, depending on the type of device. Speak affectionately to the pet during the procedure, stroke, reward with treats.
3. Taking readings. Record the time and thermometer value in a notepad. If the readings are below or above normal, repeat the procedure after an hour and compare the values.

Do not use a family thermometer. Get your dog a personal thermometer at a veterinary pharmacy. For each pet in the house, you must have a separate measuring device. After measuring, wash the device with soap and water, wipe it off and store it in the dog's first aid kit.

Learn the appropriate command with your pet, for example, “thermometer”, so that the procedure goes smoothly. If the dog is already an adult, and the temperature is measured for the first time, then it is better to use an electronic thermometer. Otherwise, the animal in an attempt to escape may break the device. In addition, electronic measurement takes less time.

It makes no sense to measure the temperature every day for no apparent reason. It is recommended to monitor changes in indicators during pregnancy, immediately before childbirth, before and after vaccination. Measure in the morning and in the evening and write down the values ​​in a notebook. In case of obvious deviations, contact your veterinarian.

Reasons for deviations

Temperature changes do not always require immediate treatment. An increase or decrease in values ​​may depend on external or internal factors. Often this is a normal reaction of the body to natural physiological processes.

high

A high temperature is usually an indicator of ill health. However, in some cases, an increase of one to one and a half degrees is allowed:

• cutting teeth;
• stress;
• fright;
• graft;
• excitation;
• heat;
• aggression;
• fight;
• estrus.

Before rushing to the vet, you should think about the age and development of the dog. Perhaps a three-month-old puppy is just teething or the bitch is waiting for her first estrus. The alarm should be sounded in five cases of an increase in temperature.

1. Tick ​​bite . Indicators increase with the development of piroplasmosis. The carrier of the pathogen that affects erythrocytes is a tick.
2. Injuries. Fever after skin or muscle damage signals an abscess that has begun.
3. Fever. It is characterized by temperature fluctuations, which greatly exhausts the body. Often accompanied by weakness. A feverish state develops with various diseases - from poisoning to distemper.
4. Cough . Dogs are prone to respiratory diseases. Shortness of breath, cough, weakness may indicate pneumonia.
5. Decreased activity. Difficulty in movement, change in gait, rapid fatigue can signal inflammation of the joints. Perhaps developing arthritis, osteochondrosis, dysplasia.

The condition of the nose is not an indicator of high body temperature. It becomes dry and hot due to various factors unrelated to the development of the disease. Often this phenomenon is observed with overwork or thirst.

Low

Low temperature also has two sides. In some cases, a decrease in values ​​\u200b\u200bis a natural phenomenon, in others it is a reason to urgently contact a veterinarian. This condition is considered normal in three cases.

1. Childbirth. Usually the temperature drops just before childbirth. If the thermometer shows 36-37 ° C, then the dog will give birth in the next day. Before the onset of labor, the values ​​rise sharply to 39 ° C.
2. Operation . In the postoperative period, it is necessary to provide the pet with comfortable conditions. The animal, departing after anesthesia, experiences weakness, nausea, dizziness. Body temperature drops to 36°C. If after 12 hours the indicators have not returned to normal, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
3. Hypothermia. A dog, like a person, can freeze and get cold. It's easy to get things back to normal. It is enough to wrap the pet and provide a warm corner. With prolonged trembling and a further drop in values, you should contact your veterinarian.

It is possible to determine the decrease in indicators without a thermometer. The pet curls up in a ball, trembles, looking for a warm place. If first aid is provided, but there is no improvement, you need to contact the veterinary clinic and be sure to do a blood test.

With additional symptoms, low body temperature may indicate helminthic invasion, hypothyroidism, and renal failure. Critical marks - 36 ° C and below. At 27°C the dog falls into a coma.

First aid

Do not treat your pet without seeing a veterinarian. The problem may be more serious than the owner assumes. Therefore, consultation with a doctor at least by phone is necessary. The specialist will tell you what to give the animal and how to act in the near future. The owner himself may well alleviate the condition of the pet before the doctor arrives. The table describes the basic first aid steps.

Table - How to act when the heat transfer of the body changes

Some owners believe that a dog that feels unwell should definitely be fed. Do not do this if the animal refuses food. A weakened body does not cope well with digestion. Forcibly thrust food into the mouth is likely to cause indigestion, bloating, and constipation.

It is not recommended to use antipyretic or analgesic drugs intended for humans. For example, Paracetamol, Analgin, Aspirin, Ibuprofen. Most "human" drugs cause severe side effects in dogs, bad for the kidneys and liver.

Associated warning signs

To recognize the disease at an early stage, temperature measurement is not enough. You should know additional symptoms that signal various pathological conditions:

• frequent urination;
• frequent vomiting;
• weakness;
• loss of appetite;
• off-season plentiful molting;
• cloudy eyes;
• nasal discharge;
• recurring leg cramps;
• bad breath;
• change in the color of urine (red, brown);
• frequent hoarse breathing;
• thirst;
• intense salivation;
• bluish or white tongue;
• diarrhea, especially with blood;
• unnatural sleeping position;
• insomnia;
• restless behavior;
• lameness.

Observe your pet's behavior and mood. Obvious changes in the habitual way of life should be alarming. If the dog is lethargic, lethargic, refuses to play and work, does not eat, you should contact your veterinarian.

As in humans, in dogs, body temperature is the main sensor of the state of the body. So, its indicators more than the norm established for this animal can be a sign of illness. This is an occasion to immediately contact the veterinarian in order to avoid complications.

The owner of the dog must know how to properly measure the temperature of his four-legged friend.

For young animals, unlike an adult dog, a higher temperature is characteristic - the norm for a puppy is 39–39.5 ° C. This is due to the immature system of thermoregulation, as well as many processes in a growing organism. It is also a kind of protection in case of a long absence of the main source of heat - the puppy's mother.

In winter this high temperature will not let the baby freeze by cold. This temperature regime usually lasts until the pet is six months old. After that, the dog has a more perfect system of thermoregulation and its body temperature is set at 38.5 ° C. Permissible fluctuations in indicators can be within 37.5-39 ° C, they depend on the individual characteristics of each individual breed:

• hairless dogs have the same temperature as those that are covered with hair;
• short haired and hairless dogs experience overheating and hypothermia faster than their long-haired counterparts, hence the sharper fluctuations in their temperature;
• dwarf dog species have a higher temperature than large individuals, but in general this is a very small difference (0.5 ° C).

In order not to miss the onset of the disease, body temperature should be measured at least once a month, especially in the younger generation. So you will know the norms of your pet and will be able to easily navigate them even when the dog becomes an adult.

How to take a dog's temperature?

It is most convenient to measure the temperature by placing the dog in a rack or laying it on its side. Choose a method that suits your pet, some dogs feel more confident standing up. Thermometer lubricated at the tip oil or vaseline, gently inserted into the anus to a certain depth:

• for small dogs by 1 cm (up to 20 kg);
• for large dogs by 1.5–2 cm.

After 5 minutes (for mercury) and the signal of an electronic thermometer, you will know the desired indicators.

It is best to talk affectionately with the dog during the procedure, scratch behind the ears, stroke soothingly. If everything is done correctly and without compulsion, then the dog will not notice that something was measured with a thermometer.

What thermometer to use? Best of all, of course, is electronic, since a mercury thermometer is very thin at the tip and can burst with a sharp movement, and this is highly undesirable.

If the dog is struggling, then it is better to postpone the procedure, calm him down and call a helper to keep the dog together. Please note that the thin tip of the thermometer can damage the intestines, so you need to try to keep the animal's pelvis in a stationary position.

What to do with boundary indicators?

If you know for sure that you measured everything correctly and you are confused by the temperature indicator, then you need to figure it out. If we talk about the health of a puppy, then it can be assessed with the naked eye:

• eats well;
• sleeps sweetly;
• mobile and curious;
• good chair.

But an adult can sometimes become sad, become more apathetic for various reasons. And if at the same time you find even a slight deviation from the norm on the thermometer, then this may be the first call of a serious illness - a virus, a bacterial infection or worming. Need as much as possible visit the vet as soon as possible because the course of some diseases is rapid.

Also, the temperature is slightly increased (by 1-1.5 ° C) in chronic and systemic diseases, as well as oncology. Do not be too scared, because even oncology is curable if you go to the doctor in time and diagnose the disease.

If we talk about systemic diseases that cause a constant slight increase (or decrease) in temperature in dogs, then this is the cardiovascular system, thyroid function, and hormonal disruptions. Low heat transfer is a wake-up call that may indicate internal bleeding, but it is also characteristic of hypothermia.

You can also note a slightly lower temperature after exhausting exercise, unusual for your pet. In its turn, overheating and lack of drinking in the heat may cause a slightly elevated temperature, which will return to normal when the animal returns to normal conditions. Severe stressful events also cause temperature fluctuations.

But if your dog is showing signs of a lethargic state, then a normal temperature cannot be an indication that all is well. It is always better to consult a veterinary clinic, maybe your concerns are just a quickly fixable simple problem.

High fever in dogs

What to do if you find your pet has a fever? Never do not use drastic cooling measures like a cold bath with ice or an ice shower. A sharp temperature drop can cause shock, vascular spasm up to a stroke and even a heart attack.

But antipyretic tablets should not be given to an animal unless they have been prescribed by a veterinarian. From more or less safe means, use nurofen or antipyretic suppositories. From emergency measures - make an injection of no-shpy or diphenhydramine with analgin (papaverine). All these are first aid drugs in a human first aid kit and they can all be harmful for dogs. In addition, bringing down the temperature is not always safe and it can worsen the course of the disease.

If the mark on the thermometer is below 40 ° C, then call the veterinarian and wait, if it is higher, immediately take the animal to the doctor. Here's what the owner can do before the doctor arrives:

• give the dog water or a decoction of chamomile (raspberry leaves) at room temperature, but little by little;
• apply cooling wet compresses to the sides and back of the animal, changing them when the towel becomes warm;
• you can use ice by putting it in a bag and wrapping it with a rag. Apply such ice bags to the paws and the occiput;
• put bottles of cold water next to the dog, cover them with a towel. Your pet will most likely choose to lie down close to the cooling source.

The main thing is to often measure body heat indicators so as not to cool the animal that has already cooled down, and in case of ineffective measures, immediately contact the veterinarian. Some viruses are so fleeting that every minute counts.

Low temperature in dogs

As described earlier, a lower temperature can be caused by many factors. If this is a banal hypothermia, then warm your pet - warm water, warm compresses on the sides and back or a heating pad. But do not overheat the animal, for this constantly measure the temperature. To exclude serious systemic disorders, you need to show the dog to the veterinarian in the near future. At values ​​below 37-36 ° C, this the visit must be urgent to avoid internal trauma and blood loss.

Temperature is one of the main indicators of the well-being of both people and animals. His increase or decrease indicates that something is wrong with the pet.

What temperature is considered normal for a dog? How to measure it at home, and what to do if it is greatly reduced or increased?

The normal value for adults and small puppies is different. In dwarf breeds, it may be slightly increased, and this will not be considered a deviation. The temperature norm in dogs is presented in a table that contains averages for different age and size groups.

Body temperature in dogs is normal, if it is within the range indicated in the table. In addition, there are additional tolerances for different situations. Temperature in a dog: the norm may increase under stress (up to 0.3⁰С), on hot days, after intense training, during estrus. In bitches before childbirth, on the contrary, it decreases by 0.5-2⁰С.

Important! Such changes do not indicate the presence of disease or ailment.

There is an opinion that the temperature can be determined by the nose, but this is a delusion. Sometimes when the heat is hot, the ears and groin become hot to the touch, but you cannot rely on these signs alone.

How to measure the temperature of a dog at home?

To take a measurement use a thermometer (mercury gives more accurate readings, but electronic shows the result faster). It is administered rectally (into the dog's anus). Here is an algorithm for how to measure the temperature of a dog correctly:

1. Calm your pet, lay him on his side, stroke his stomach. The dog must relax.
2. The tip of the thermometer is lubricated with a greasy ointment (children's cream is usually used for this purpose).
3. The tail of the animal is raised, the thermometer is slowly inserted into the rectum (2-2.5 cm for large individuals, 1-1.5 cm for small ones).
4. While the measurement is in progress, talk to your pet, stroke it, treat it to your favorite treat.
5. After the end of the measurement (5 minutes for mercury thermometers, 30-40 seconds for electronic ones), carefully remove the thermometer, praise the animal, write down the data obtained. Wash the thermometer and hands with warm soapy water, if necessary, disinfect with an alcohol solution.

Thanks to this algorithm, you can easily find out the status of your pet. Handle the dog gently and calmly, do not scare it.

Attention! The pet should know that measuring with a thermometer is a simple and painless procedure.

What should I do if my pet has a fever or chills?

How to bring down the temperature?

If the value of the indicator is very high (above 40⁰С), the best solution would be to take the pet to a veterinary clinic. This indicator is especially dangerous for babies, since metabolic processes in their body proceed much faster.

What should I do if my dog ​​has a fever but veterinarian help is not available? If your pet has a high fever, follow these guidelines:

• wet ears, groin and paw pads with cold water;
• you can put a wet towel on your head;
• move the dog to a cool place (on the tiles in the bathroom, on the balcony, etc.);
• give your pet cold fresh water to drink;
• mix three drugs in a syringe: No-Shpu, Analgin and Dimedrol (check the dosage with the doctor by phone, it is calculated by the weight of the animal) and inject this mixture into the dog intramuscularly.

How to bring down the temperature in a dog and avoid severe dehydration? To do this, use a syringe to inject saline solution under the skin at the withers (up to 50 ml for small dogs, up to 200 ml for large dogs).

If the measures taken are not enough, try to call a specialist at home or take the pet to a veterinary clinic. A high score is a sign of an illness, it can be a symptom, or

Important! If you notice other symptoms (loose stools, change in color or smell of urine, poor appetite, body tremors, etc.), be sure to tell your veterinarian about them.

How to raise the temperature?

If the indicator drops below 37-35⁰С, the pet needs to be warmed up. To do this, wrap the dog in a shawl or a warm woolen blanket, put a heating pad or hot water bottle on the back and stomach (be sure to wrap it in a towel). An indicator of 32-28⁰С is considered critical (in this case, the pet should be immediately taken to the clinic).

Temperature is an important indicator with which you can recognize the beginning in time. But not always its increase indicates the presence of an ailment.

Attention! If your pet has a high fever or hypothermia, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Additionally, check out the video on what temperature the dog should have and how to measure it:

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