When you notice that your dog, who is usually lively and energetic, is now lying on the ground, with a dry nose and listless spirit, and when you take your temperature, it turns out to have a fever, worries and heartache instantly surge in your heart. During the growth process of dogs, fever is a common but heart wrenching condition for their owners. What medicine can dogs take for fever? This is a crucial issue that every dog lover urgently needs to understand.
The normal body temperature of a dog is between 37.5 ℃ and 38.5 ℃. Once it exceeds this range, it means that the dog has a fever. Fever is just a symptom, with multiple underlying causes. Infection is one of the most common causes, as pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and mycoplasma invade a dog's body, causing an inflammatory response and leading to an increase in body temperature. Infectious diseases such as canine distemper and parvovirus often present with fever as initial symptoms, and the condition progresses rapidly, posing a serious threat to the life and health of dogs. I remember a pet owner who noticed that their dog suddenly had a fever and didn't pay much attention to it. However, a few days later, the dog developed symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Upon examination, it was found to be infected with a small virus, which left the owner deeply regretful. In addition to infectious diseases, catching a cold with a common cold can also cause dogs to have a fever. For example, if the weather suddenly changes, dogs are more susceptible to wind and cold attacks.
Inflammation is also an important factor in causing fever in dogs. If inflammation occurs in a certain part of a dog's body, such as pneumonia, gastroenteritis, cystitis, etc., the immune system will be activated, releasing inflammatory mediators, leading to an increase in body temperature. Traumatic infections can also cause fever. If a dog's wound is not properly treated and bacteria grow after injury, it can cause local inflammation. In severe cases, inflammation can spread and cause systemic fever.
When a dog has a fever, choosing the appropriate medication for treatment is crucial. Pet specific antipyretics are a relatively safe choice. Among them, pet antipyretics containing acetaminophen are more common. Acetaminophen inhibits the synthesis and release of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center, causing peripheral vasodilation and sweating to achieve antipyretic effects. At the same time, it can inhibit the effects of PGE1, bradykinin, histamine, etc., increase pain threshold and produce analgesic effects, effectively relieving fever symptoms caused by inflammation, infection, etc. in dogs. But it is important to strictly follow the dosage instructions when administering acetaminophen to dogs, as improper use can cause serious damage to the dog's liver. Due to their light weight, small dogs require much less medication than large dogs, and puppies need to accurately calculate their dosage based on their weight. For example, a 5-kilogram puppy may only take a fraction of the dose of acetaminophen per dose as a large dog, and a slight mistake could lead to overdose.
Medications containing ibuprofen can also be used to reduce fever in dogs. Ibuprofen is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that reduces prostaglandin synthesis by inhibiting the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX), thereby alleviating inflammation and pain, and achieving fever reducing effects. However, ibuprofen can cause certain irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, so when given to dogs, it is best to pair it with some drugs that protect the gastrointestinal mucosa, such as sucralfate, to avoid adverse reactions such as vomiting and diarrhea. There was once a owner who gave his dog adult grade ibuprofen without consulting a veterinarian. As a result, the dog experienced severe gastrointestinal discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea, which made the owner feel very guilty.
Some antipyretic drugs containing traditional Chinese medicine ingredients can also be considered, such as Shuanghuanglian oral liquid. Shuanghuanglian oral liquid is mainly composed of honeysuckle, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Forsythia suspensa. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, dispelling wind and relieving surface heat, and has a certain relieving effect on fever caused by wind heat colds. The side effects of traditional Chinese medicine ingredients are relatively small, but their effectiveness is relatively slow. When given to dogs, it is necessary to continuously observe their temperature changes and mental state. If the dog's body temperature does not decrease significantly after taking it for a period of time, or if the condition tends to worsen, it is necessary to seek medical attention in a timely manner.
Regardless of which medication you choose, it is best to consult a veterinarian before administering medication to your dog. Because the causes of fever in dogs are complex and diverse, the treatment methods and medications for different causes vary. Veterinarians can accurately determine the cause of a dog's fever through detailed consultations, physical examinations, and necessary laboratory tests such as blood routine and C-reactive protein testing, in order to provide the most suitable treatment plan.
A dog's fever touches the hearts of every owner. During the treatment process, we must remain calm and use scientific methods and full of love to help the dog overcome the disease. Let the dog regain its former vitality as soon as possible and continue to accompany us through every wonderful time.
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