As we all know, fever is a condition in which the body temperature rises. This happens to us, and also to our four-legged friends.
There can be various causes, and while for us a higher than normal temperature is always an unfavorable condition, for a dog it is not always the case.
How do you know if your dog has a fever and when is a veterinarian needed? Let's also clarify some misconceptions that circulate about fever in dogs.
The natural rectal temperature of a dog is higher than ours, so don't be alarmed if it seems high at first measurement.
The ideal temperature for a dog varies from 37.5°C to 39.2°C, but can rise up to 40°C when the dog is exercising, without indicating a state of illness.
For this reason, it's better to measure the dog's temperature when it is at rest, or at least thirty minutes after the exercise session.
Puppies can have a slightly different body temperature than adult dogs, especially when they are newly born, when it ranges around 34.5°C- 36°C.
A dog has a fever when its resting rectal temperature exceeds 39.2 degrees Celsius. In that case, the animal might have a problem, and the higher the temperature, the greater the danger.
To understand better, here's a table with some examples of a dog's body temperature, and how to act if it is higher or lower than normal:
| TEMPERATURE | CONDITION | WHAT TO DO |
| 36.7° OR LESS | HYPOTHERMIA | VETERINARIAN |
| 36,8° – 37,1° | LOW TEMPERATURE | VETERINARIAN |
| 37,2° -37,4° | MEDIUM LOW TEMPERATURE | MONITOR/VETERINARIAN |
| 37,5° – 39,2° | NORMAL TEMPERATURE | OK |
| 39,3° – 40° | FEVER | VETERINARIAN |
| 40,1° -4 0,5° | DANGER | VETERINARIAN |
| 40,6° – 40,9° | DEATH DANGER | VETERINARIAN |
| 41° AND BEYOND | DEATH | VETERINARIAN |
At 41°C, there is a condition called heatstroke in dogs, which is often fatal for animals.
Obviously, this is a simplified table that does not take into account the reasons why the dog might have a fever.
My advice is to consult a veterinarian when any anomaly arises, also because in some cases our home measurement might be incorrect.
There are two ways to determine if a dog has a fever: one accurate and one improvised. Obviously, the only method to apply is rectal measurement.
To measure a dog's fever, you can use a classic type of thermometer (like the one we use under the armpit or with a diagonal tip).
The measurement is done exclusively rectally, not in any other way. It's better to use a digital thermometer, as it's faster and therefore less bothersome for the animal.
And no, if you do the operation correctly, the dog won't feel pain, but obviously, it might be bothered because it doesn’t understand what's happening, and it may feel unwell and not want to be touched.
To simplify the operation, proceed as follows:
Coat the tip with oil or cream for lubrication.
Place the dog in a comfortable position and lift its tail.
Gently insert the thermometer about two centimeters into the animal's rectum and wait for the result.
Keep the dog still while you proceed with the measurement.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can try an infrared thermometer to insert into the dog’s ear. In this case, too, the operation is quite delicate, as the tip of the infrared thermometer for dogs must be brought close to the eardrum.
Carefully follow the instructions on the package, and consider that the manual digital thermometer for dogs is still the most accurate option.
If you haven't yet purchased a specific thermometer for your pets, you can try these:
Scala SC 312 Veterinary Thermometer White Manual
Click here and save!
Icare-Pet Infrared Thermometer for dogs and cats, measures ear temperature
Click and save!
To determine if your dog has a fever without a thermometer, simply assess whether its body temperature is warmer than usual.
You'll notice this by touching its head, belly, and ears. Of course, this method is imprecise and won't give us an adequate indication.
If the dog seems warm and you're unable to measure the temperature with a thermometer, it's better to urgently contact a veterinarian.
The presence of a dry or warm nose is not a reliable indicator to determine if a dog has a fever or not.
If the animal exhibits any of the symptoms described previously, we might be dealing with a fever, but the nose itself, without further measurement, cannot provide any certainty.
The symptoms of fever in a dog can vary depending on the cause, but generally, these are the most common:
General malaise
Lethargy
Little desire to move
Loss of appetite
Unusual tiredness (the dog sleeps a lot)
Excessive thirst (or lack of thirst)
Very dry nose
Shivering, trembling
Motor difficulties
Increased body heat
Reddened or glossy eyes
The correct question is: what NOT to give a dog if it has a fever! Do not experiment with human medications, which are not suitable for animal consumption.
Common antipyretic products such as Paracetamol, Aspirin, Dipyrone, Zerinol, Ibuprofen should never be given to pets.
Everything you've used for your family is not good for the dog and could even be toxic. Only a veterinarian will be able to diagnose the exact cause of the fever and advise appropriate therapy.
The causes can be multiple:
External temperature
Ingestion of toxic food or spoiled food
Ingestion of toxic products (chemical agents, poison, plants)
Infection (viral, from trauma)
Dental/gum problems
Among the most common diseases that cause fever are:
Parvovirus
Distemper
Peritonitis
Leishmaniasis
Leptospirosis
Pyometra
Cancer
Kidney or lung infections
Is a little blood in the dog's stool a cause for concern?
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I invite all readers to share their experiences on this topic in the comments section.
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Disclaimer
The information on our site is general in nature and does not replace the advice of a veterinarian or industry experts. Always consult a veterinarian for any doubts.
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