Reduce Fever in Dogs

Just like we humans, dogs too suffer from fever that could be caused by a number of reasons. Fever in dogs is an extremely important sign of ill health of the dog and should not be ignored. Most commonly, it is a physiological sign of an inflammation or an internal infection. It may go unnoticed that your dog is suffering from fever, until the dog starts showing signs of being unwell. In cases like this, you need to start treating the dog immediately as the fever may already be high. There are many things you can do to reduce the temperature in dogs. As a responsible pet owner, you should be aware of at least a few of these methods including the dog fever signs and symptoms.

Dog Fever Symptoms

The symptoms of dog fever may not be enough to detect the level of dog fever. Also, you cannot really tell if the dog has a fever or not by checking the wetness of its nose. You should, therefore, make use of a rectal thermometer to obtain your dog's temperature. The normal body temperature for dogs ranges between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees. If the dog's temperature is anything above 103 degrees, it would mean that it's running a fever.

The following are some common symptoms of dog fever.

• Loss of thirst and appetite
• Lethargy
• Excessive nasal discharge
• Vomiting
• Unhealthy color of gums
• Excessive panting

Medication

Fever can be caused due to various reasons like infection, nutritional deficiencies, bites from other animals, an abscessed tooth, dog worm infestations and immune system disorders. If the fever is too high, it is best to opt for veterinary treatment to lower dog fever. Consulting a vet may also help diagnose the cause of fever and your dog will be treated accordingly. Mild fevers that are not persistent can be treated easily at home by following some simple methods and remedies. The most common method of dog fever treatment is the administration of Aspirin to the dog. Keep in mind that it should be administered in small dosages and along with food, or else it could cause a substantial amount of organ damage. The dosage should be given depending upon the weight of your dog and after consulting a vet. Other dog fever medications include acetaminophen, ibrupofen and naproxen. You should discuss the medication options with your vet before administering any of these to your dog.

Remedies

You can use a number of dog fever remedies at home only in case of a mild fever. The first and most important remedy for dog fever is to keep your dog constantly hydrated. Make sure that it drinks plenty of water, preferably cool water, at equal intervals. In case it refuses to drink water, you will have to put in small amounts using a medicine dropper or a needle less syringe or offer it ice cubes to suck on. Wrap up your dog in a cool towel to lower fever and provide some relief. You can also rub some alcohol onto the dog's tummy to reduce the fever. Cool the temperature around your house and make sure there's fresh air around so that your pet feels better. Placing a cold compress on its tummy or forehead will also help lower the dog's temperature.

The remedies and medication mentioned above will help reduce fever in dogs and you should monitor your pet's temperature at equal intervals. Consult a vet in case the fever is persistent and if you notice that your pet's health is deteriorating instead of improving. Reducing and eliminating fever is extremely important for your dog's health and well-being.