What Symptoms Does a Dog Have When It Has a Fever?

When a dog has a fever, it can't express its discomfort in words and can only convey abnormal physical signals to us through some symptoms. As owners, we need to always pay attention to our dogs' physical conditions and detect these symptoms in a timely manner so that we can take measures as soon as possible to help them recover. So, what symptoms does a dog have when it has a fever? Let's take a look.

Elevated Body Temperature

Elevated body temperature is the most intuitive sign of a dog having a fever. Under normal circumstances, a dog's body temperature is between 37.5°C and 38.5°C, and that of a puppy may be slightly higher, between 38.5°C and 39°C. If a dog's body temperature exceeds this range, it is likely to have a fever. We can use a pet thermometer to measure the dog's temperature. When measuring, insert the thermometer into the dog's anus and read the value after 3 to 5 minutes. It should be noted that when measuring the temperature, we should be gentle to avoid harming the dog. Besides using a thermometer, we can also initially judge whether the dog's body temperature is elevated by touching its ears, paw pads and other parts. If a dog's ears and paw pads feel significantly hotter than usual, we need to be alert to whether the dog has a fever.

Abnormal Mental State

Lethargy: Healthy dogs are usually full of energy, curious about the surrounding things, and like to play and explore. However, when a dog has a fever, it will become lethargic and lose interest in its usual toys and games. It often lies quietly in the corner and is reluctant to move. The change from being lively and active to being quiet and lazy is a common mental state change in dogs when they have a fever.

Somnolence: When a dog has a fever, its body will feel tired and need more rest to recover its strength, so it will be somnolent. They will sleep significantly more, and even when they wake up, they look listless and slow to respond. If you find that your dog's sleeping time has suddenly become longer and its sleep quality is poor and it is easily awakened, you should consider whether the dog has a fever.

Appetite Changes

Loss of Appetite: Fever can affect a dog's digestive system and lead to a decrease in appetite. A dog that was originally voracious may show a clear resistance to food when it has a fever, eating significantly less than usual or even not eating at all. Some dogs will just sniff their favorite food and then walk away. If a dog has a loss of appetite for two consecutive days, the owner should pay attention and check the dog's physical condition in a timely manner.

Pica: In rare cases, dogs may exhibit pica when they have a fever, that is, they will eat things they wouldn't normally eat, such as soil, leaves, plastic, etc. This may be because the fever causes a nutritional imbalance in the dog's body or affects the nervous system, resulting in such abnormal behavior.

Respiratory System Symptoms

Shortness of Breath: When a dog has a fever, its body's metabolism will speed up. To meet the body's need for oxygen, the breathing rate will increase significantly. Under normal circumstances, a dog's breathing rate is between 10 and 30 times per minute. If a dog's breathing rate exceeds this range and the breathing becomes rapid and heavy, it may have a fever. We can count a dog's breaths by observing the rise and fall of its chest.

Coughing and Sneezing: Fever can cause respiratory tract infections in dogs, leading to coughing and sneezing. The cough may be dry or accompanied by phlegm. The frequency of sneezing will also increase, and sometimes there will be a runny nose. If a dog has symptoms of fever, coughing and sneezing at the same time, it is likely to have a respiratory disease such as a cold or pneumonia.

Digestive System Symptoms

Vomiting and Diarrhea: Fever can affect a dog's gastrointestinal function, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. The vomit may be undigested food, gastric juice, or foamy liquid. During diarrhea, the dog's feces will become soft and the color may change, sometimes with blood or mucus. Frequent vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration in dogs and seriously affect their health, so timely treatment is needed.

Constipation: Contrary to diarrhea, some dogs may become constipated when they have a fever. They have difficulty defecating, their feces are dry and hard, and the frequency of defecation is significantly reduced. This may be because the fever causes excessive water loss in the dog's body and slows down intestinal peristalsis, resulting in constipation.

Eye and Nose Symptoms

Red and Teary Eyes: When a dog has a fever, its eyes may become red, swollen and teary. The white part of the eye will turn red and there may be an increase in at the corner of the eye. This is because the fever causes the blood vessels in the dog's eyes to dilate and the inflammatory response to intensify, causing these eye symptoms.

Dry and Hot Nose: The nose of a healthy dog is usually moist and cool. However, when a dog has a fever, its nose will become dry and hot and lose its original moistness. This is because the fever causes water loss in the dog's body and reduces the secretion of the nasal mucosa, making the nose dry.

The symptoms of a dog's fever are diverse. As owners, we should always pay attention to our dogs' physical conditions and behavioral changes and detect these abnormal symptoms in a timely manner. Once we find signs of a fever in our dogs, don't panic. Take them to a pet hospital for examination and treatment as soon as possible. During the dog's illness, we should give them more love and care and accompany them through this difficult time. I hope every dog can grow up healthy and happy and stay with us forever.