Can you tell if a dog has a fever by touch?

Dogs are our most loyal companions in life, and every move they make tugs at our hearts. When a dog is unwell, we always hope to detect it at the earliest opportunity and provide them with timely care. Among the many possible health problems that dogs may encounter, having a fever is a relatively common one. When we suspect that a dog has a fever, our first reaction is often to reach out and touch the dog, trying to determine whether it has a fever by feeling. But is this method really reliable? To answer this question, we need to have an in-depth understanding of a dog's physiological characteristics and the reasons behind a fever.

The normal body temperature range for dogs is between 38°C and 39.2°C, which is slightly higher than the normal body temperature of humans. A dog's body temperature regulation mechanism is different from that of humans. They mainly dissipate heat through breathing and their paw pads to maintain body temperature balance. When a dog has a fever, its body temperature will exceed the normal range, which may be a natural response of the body to infections, inflammations, or other diseases.

Relying solely on touch to determine whether a dog has a fever has great limitations. Firstly, the temperature perception of our hands is not accurate. The temperature of each person's hands varies, and the external environmental temperature can also affect the feeling of our hands. In cold winter, we may feel that the dog's body is hotter than usual, but this may just be because of the low external environmental temperature, not that the dog actually has a fever. Conversely, in hot summer, the dog's body may feel hotter than usual, which may also be due to the influence of the environmental temperature rather than a fever. Secondly, a dog's fur can also interfere with our tactile perception. Long-haired dogs have thick fur, and heat is not easily dissipated. Even if the dog has a fever, it may be difficult for us to accurately sense the change in body temperature through touch. Although short-haired dogs have relatively shorter fur, it will also block our perception of the temperature to some extent.

Although touch cannot accurately determine whether a dog has a fever, we can initially suspect that a dog has a fever through some other physical manifestations. For example, when a dog has a fever, it may show signs of listlessness and loss of appetite. A dog that was originally lively and active suddenly becomes lazy and loses interest in playing and walking. It may lie motionless in a corner. A dog that was usually enthusiastic about food now ignores its food bowl and is even indifferent to its favorite snacks.

In addition, when a dog has a fever, its breathing and heart rate will also increase. We can carefully observe the rise and fall of the dog's abdomen. Under normal circumstances, a dog's breathing rate is about 15 to 30 times per minute. If the breathing rate increases significantly and the dog breathes rapidly, it may be a sign of a fever. Similarly, a dog's heart rate will be faster than usual. The normal heart rate of an adult dog is between 60 and 140 beats per minute, and that of a puppy is even faster. We can gently place our hand on the dog's chest to feel the heart rate. If the heart rate increases abnormally, we need to be vigilant about whether the dog has a fever.

If we suspect that a dog has a fever, the most accurate way is still to measure its body temperature with a thermometer. A pet-specific thermometer is the best choice as its design is more suitable for a dog's physiological structure. When measuring, first shake the mercury column of the thermometer below 35°C, and then apply an appropriate amount of lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, to the front end of the thermometer. Gently lift the dog's tail and slowly insert the thermometer about 2 to 3 centimeters into the dog's anus. Keep the thermometer stable, and after waiting for 1 to 3 minutes, take it out and read the value. In addition to the rectal temperature measurement method, there are now some new types of thermometers, such as ear thermometers and forehead thermometers, which are more convenient and faster to use, but the measurement results may be relatively less accurate, and multiple measurements are required to take the average value.

Once we confirm that the dog has a fever, we need to take timely measures. If the dog's body temperature is only slightly higher than the normal range and its mental state is still okay, we can first try physical cooling. Gently wipe the dog's paw pads, ears, and abdomen with a wet towel. These areas are rich in blood vessels, and the evaporation of water can take away some heat. At the same time, ensure that the dog has sufficient water to drink to help it replenish the water lost due to the fever and promote metabolism. However, if the dog's body temperature continues to rise, exceeding 39.5°C, or if it shows other abnormal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and convulsions, be sure to take the dog to a pet hospital immediately. Because a dog's fever may be caused by various reasons, such as viral infections, bacterial infections, and parasitic infections. Only through professional examinations and diagnoses can the cause of the disease be determined, and targeted treatment measures can be taken.

During the process of taking care of a feverish dog, our company and care are crucial. Spend more time with the dog, stroke it, and comfort it softly to let it feel our love and care. Dogs can't speak, and they can only feel warmth and peace of mind through our actions. Seeing the dog suffering due to physical discomfort makes us feel bad too, but as long as we use scientific methods and take good care of them carefully, we believe that the dog will surely overcome the disease and regain its former vitality.