What Are The Symptoms Of Fever In Dogs?
Fever in dogs is, without a doubt, the pathological process that appears most frequently in the veterinary clinic on a daily basis. Typically, this event is often a symptom of illness, whether infectious or not. Fever, in turn, carries a series of associated symptoms, which are quite characteristic.
Given the high frequency with which fever occurs in animals, it is necessary to know the symptoms it produces in the body. Read on if you want to know what the symptoms of fever in dogs are.
What is fever?
Fever, as we all know, has to do with body temperature. So to start talking about it, it’s convenient to know the normal temperature of the species we’re going to talk about today: the dog.
In dogs, a body temperature range between 38 and 39 degrees is considered normal. Therefore, fever occurs when there is an increase in this physiological temperature. In a slightly more technical way, it can be defined as a thermal regulation disorder that forces the individual to adapt to a temperature level higher than normal.
Unlike hyperthermia, when the heat source is exogenous and the body temperature regulating mechanisms (hypothalamus) work correctly, in fever there is an alteration in these mechanisms.
When the hypothalamic thermostat is changed and the body’s 41 degrees Celsius is considered normal, the 39 degrees – which would be usual – is interpreted as hypothermia, so the body will function at a metabolic level to increase these two degrees of difference.
Causes of fever in dogs
Most causes of fever are usually septic and infectious in origin, both localized and generalized. For example, an infected wound can produce this state. There are also non-infectious events that cause fever. We are talking about the following:
- Certain tumor processes, mainly with rapid growth.
- Vascular hemolysis.
- Heart attacks.
- Or even an intramuscular injection with a local reaction can cause fever.
Considerations, low-grade fever and hyperpyrexia
The symptoms produced by fever will depend, fundamentally, on two factors:
- Characteristics of the animal: the pathological process that takes place in a puppy is not the same as in an adult dog. Likewise, a healthy dog will not have the same symptoms as a sick dog.
- Type of fever: A mild, low-grade fever of only a few tenths can produce symptoms that are completely unnoticeable. In contrast, a severe fever, called hyperpyrexia in medical parlance, will cause more obvious symptoms.
Low fever symptoms in dogs
Fortunately, it’s the most common presentation. In most cases, the fever in dogs observed in consultation usually does not exceed 40 degrees in the body. We go further, because in some cases this low fever appears as a chance finding in a routine appointment without the tutor noticing anything different.
In these sick dogs, the following symptoms can be observed:
- Slight despondency and apathy.
- Lack of appetite, as the dog may even reject food completely.
- Hot, dry nose. This is not always indicative of fever, but sometimes there is a direct relationship to it.
- Slight dryness of mucous membranes.
Hyperpyrexia symptoms
When the dog’s body temperature exceeds 40 degrees, one can speak of high fever or hyperpyrexia. In these cases, animals tend to have more pronounced symptoms. In addition, hyperpyrexia can put the dog’s life in danger, which is why immediate treatment is necessary.
A dog with hyperpyrexia will have some or all of the following symptoms:
- Very evident dryness of the mucous membranes. When touching these fabrics, they are completely dry.
- Decrease in the amount of urine produced, as well as increase its concentration. Very dark and odorous urine is characteristic.
- Very slaughtered animal. There may even be a decrease in reflexes and an absence of response to external stimuli.
- Muscle wasting and anorexia. It is usually very obvious to the naked eye and occurs acutely.
Prevention and speed
In general, these are the most common symptoms that fever produces in dogs. Despite these general guidelines, it is necessary to emphasize that each animal is unique: a dog may not show signs or be only a few days down and without energy.
In cases of hyperpyrexia, the symptoms warn that the dog’s life may be in danger, so the consultation with the veterinarian should be immediate. We hope these tips are useful to detect early symptoms of this process in dogs.
