How can you tell if your dog has a temperature?

Answer 1

This will depend upon what other clinical signs you see - is the puppy vomiting or having diarrhea? This would be very suspicious for parvovirus infection, which is life-threatening. Is the puppy not eating well and laying around more, not playing as much? This could be any of a number of infections and the puppy should be examined by a veterinarian soon. Is your puppy otherwise happy, healthy, running around like a toddler on a sugar rush, eating and drinking normally and having normal bowel movements? Then I wouldn't worry about it - he could be teething or simply be warm from running around like a hyperactive puppy. I would keep an eye on the puppy to make sure he doesn't start having other symptoms of illness, though.

Answer 2

Unlike a previous poster (poser!) suggested, do not ever give your dog Tylenol or Motrin !

You can cool your dog by applying towels that have been rinsed in cool water to the hairless parts of the belly of your dog around his/her armpits and belly. You can also lightly spray your dog with cool water from a hose but do not immerse your dog in cool or cold water !

Cool compresses or cold gel packs wrapped in pillowcases can also help greatly.

Medications should only be given upon the advice of your vet.

Again -- do not EVER give your dog Tylenol or Motrin !!!

Agreed, only 325 mg aspirin can be given safely to dogs and give that with a bit of food.

Normal temperature is 101° to 102° most vets don't consider a dog or puppy to have a temperature unless it's over 103° depending on the outside temperature.

Answer 3

This will depend upon what other symptoms of illness are present - is your dog vomiting or having diarrhea? This could be parvovirus, which is life-threatening and needs treatment immediately. Is your dog not eating or drinking normally, or laying around and not being as active as usual? This could be anything from infection to cancer and your dog should be examined by a veterinarian. Is your dog otherwise acting just fine - eating, drinking, normal bowel movements, playing, etc? If so, he may just be hot from playing or laying in the sun and be fine. I would keep an eye on him just in case he develops other symptoms, though.

Whatever else you do, however, you should NEVER give your dog human medications to try to treat the fever. The fever is the dog's body's way of handling an infection or problem, so reducing the fever could make your dog more sick. Also, human medications are extremely dangerous for dogs - a single pill can be enough to cause a fatal stomach ulcer or liver failure.

Answer 4

That depends on why he/she has a fever and how high it is. Normal for a dog is anywhere between 99.5 and 102.5 (Fahrenheit), but can be as high as 103 after activity or when excited. If the dog has a fever, your Vet should be able to determine the reason and the proper course of treatment.

Answer 5

pet dogs normal temperature ranges from 99.5 °F to 102 °F, while a puppy has a temperature of 96°F - 97°F at birth, which gradually increases by the fourth week. Any increase in temperature no matter how small needs attention. All animals have a part in their brain that regulates body temperature; it is called the "thermoregulatory center". The cause for the increase in temperature may be chemical compounds called "pyrogens". These are released in the blood, which circulates its way to the brain therefore adjusting the thermoregulatory center settings.

A low grade (103°F) fever in your dog should not go unnoticed, if your pet is still active and lively in spite of the temperature maybe his immune system is working to battle whatever is causing the fever. It is best to put him under observation. There are dogs whose immune system just can't battle the sickness. Often the fever brings about cold reduction, lack of muscle tone and shivering.

It is best not to wait for your dog to be listless and sulky while running a fever, before your go to the veterinarian. Checking the color of your dogs' gums is a good indication of blood profusion and adequate oxygen. Healthy pinkish gums indicate proper blood flow and adequate oxygen. Any other color of gums may indicate a fever or other problems. Take note of gum color aside from their vital signs to tell your veterinarian when you bring your dog for treatment. You can also look at your dogs' eyes to determine their sickness level. If they are cloudy and your dog doesn't have normal eye problems, your pet may be feeling sick.

Keep your dog comfortable by giving them water or other hydration fluid for dogs. It is best to soothe your dog by giving it a gentle rub when it is shivering. Some dogs would welcome a blanket though some would want to be left on its nook. Bring your pooch to the vet sooner rather than later if the fever cannot be managed by you. You shouldn't prolong confinement of the dog since your pet dog may suffer more without proper health care. In all cases like this, it is better to be safe then sorry. Sometime a few minutes can be the difference between permanent damage and a quick fix.

As your veterinarian does tests to determine your pet dog's ailment, they will be ruling out several possibilities. The most common origin of fever would be a virus. Viruses are said to be air born, the usual pattern of viral infection will be exposure, incubation and the period of sickness. Sometimes a fever can also be caused by skin inflammations. Harmful ticks or other pests may cause skin inflammations. Ensure your pet has adequate protection from fleas and ticks at all times.

Immunological diseases are known to cause high-grade fevers that cause your pet dog to shiver. Parasites can cause fevers especially those that may cause tissue destruction in the dog (heart worm and tape worm are the most common). Of course genetic make-up and manifestation of congenital disorders should be taken into consideration for the fevers as well.

Until your veterinarian comes up with findings, it is best to keep your pooch in the clinic. While at home, sterilize your dogs' property: dog bed, dog toy, dog accessories, dog feeder and water bowl. This is an added precaution just in case the sickness is due to your dog being exposed to elements that caused the fever. Proper hygiene care, nutrition and check-ups are ways to prevent and lessen your dog's susceptibility to sickness.

Answer 6

One way to tell if your dog has a temperature is to use a thermometer, either an ear thermometer or a rectal thermometer. If your dog may be sick, however, it is a good idea to take the dog to a veterinarian.

Answer 7

A dog, just like humans, will always have a temperature. If you are trying to figure out if the dog has a fever, it is often difficult to determine because their normal body temperature is higher than that of humans

A dogs nose is usually cool and wet, if the nose is hot and dry, it could mean the dog isn't feeling well.

However, the most precise way to know if a dog has a fever or not, is to take his rectal temperature.

Answer 8

There are a few ways to lower your dog's fever. You could give it room-temperature water or put a cool cloth on the inside of their back legs.

Answer 9

Take your finger stick it up the dogs backside (the hole in between his buttocks) and then you stick finger in a bowl of luke warm water. If the water boils, the dog have fever.