What to do if a pet dog has a fever after vaccination

Dogs are like the warmest little sun in our lives, illuminating every day with endless vitality, pure loyalty, and passionate love without reservation. In the morning, their cheerful cries are the wonderful notes that start a wonderful day; At night, their quiet companionship is like a peaceful harbor. Dogs are not only pets, but also indispensable intimate members in our families. Getting vaccinated on time is a crucial step in protecting the health of dogs. However, sometimes dogs may experience fever after vaccination, which worries their owners. What should we do when faced with such a situation?

A vaccine is essentially a specially processed antigen that aims to stimulate a dog's immune system to develop resistance against specific pathogens, thereby preventing the occurrence of corresponding diseases. Just like equipping a dog's body with a well-trained 'defense force', when a real pathogen invades, the immune system can quickly recognize and launch an attack. However, during this immune stimulation process, the dog's body may experience some reactions, and fever is a common one.

A fever in dogs after vaccination is usually a sign of activated immune system. The antigen component in the vaccine enters the dog's body, and the immune system recognizes it as a "foreign invader" and immediately activates the immune response mechanism. During this process, the body releases some cytokines that act on the thermoregulatory center, causing the thermoregulatory point to shift upwards, resulting in an increase in the dog's body temperature. This is like the immune system issuing a 'battle alarm' to the body, notifying all forces to enter a 'readiness state'. Generally speaking, fever caused by vaccination is a normal immune response and is mostly transient, meaning it will self resolve after a period of time.

When a dog is found to have a fever after vaccination, the first thing to do is to observe calmly. Pay close attention to changes in the dog's body temperature and use a pet specific thermometer to measure the dog's temperature. Generally, measuring rectal temperature is more accurate. Under normal circumstances, a dog's body temperature is between 38 ℃ and 39.2 ℃. If a dog's body temperature only slightly increases, below 39.5 ℃, and their mental state is still good, their appetite has not significantly decreased, and there are no other abnormal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, cough, etc., then it is likely just a normal reaction after vaccination. At this point, the owner does not need to panic too much. They can first let the dog rest in a quiet, warm, and comfortable environment, giving it enough care and companionship. Gently soothing it, gently stroking its head and back, making the dog feel cared for by its owner, which helps alleviate its tense emotions. At the same time, it is important to ensure that dogs have access to clean and fresh water at all times and encourage them to replenish their hydration. The intake of water can promote metabolism, help the body dissipate heat, and also contribute to maintaining normal physiological functions. It's like adding lubricant to a running machine to make all bodily functions run better.

If a dog's body temperature exceeds 39.5 ℃, or if the body temperature is below 39.5 ℃ but accompanied by other discomfort symptoms such as mental fatigue, loss of appetite, drowsiness, and shortness of breath, then it needs to be taken seriously. In this case, the owner can try using physical cooling methods to help the dog lower its body temperature. Gently wipe the dog's foot pads, inner ears, belly, and other areas with a damp towel. These areas have rich blood vessels and can dissipate some heat through the evaporation of water. You can also use ice packs, wrap a towel around the outside of the ice pack to avoid direct contact with the dog's skin causing frostbite, and then place the ice pack on the dog's abdomen, armpits, and other areas. During the process of physical cooling, it is important to closely monitor the dog's reaction. If the dog shows discomfort, it should be stopped immediately. At the same time, measure the temperature of the dog at regular intervals and observe any changes in temperature.

It should be noted that for a period of time after the dog has been vaccinated, it should be avoided to engage in vigorous exercise. Intense exercise can increase the physical burden on dogs and may exacerbate discomfort after vaccination. At the same time, do not give your dog a bath as it may cause it to catch a cold and further affect its physical condition. In terms of diet, maintaining a normal diet is sufficient. Do not suddenly change the dog's food to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort. If the dog usually eats dog food, continue to feed the original dog food to ensure a balanced nutrition. If a dog has poor appetite, it is advisable to reduce the amount of food fed at each meal and increase the frequency of feeding to ensure that the dog receives sufficient nutrition.

After a dog receives a vaccine, if it has a fever, although it may cause concern for the owner, as long as we understand the relevant knowledge and respond calmly, in most cases we can handle it properly. Every concern and resolution of a dog's health issues is a manifestation of our deep love for the dog. Because dogs give us unconditional love and loyalty, we should also do our best to protect their health, let them grow up healthy and happy under our careful care, accompany us through more beautiful times, and create countless warm and unforgettable memories together.