How to understand that a puppy has a temperature. Everything you need to know about dog body temperature

A Pomeranian or a Chihuahua is not just a pet as a fun toy, it is a living organism that requires careful supervision and care, you are solely responsible for its health.

The temperature in dogs or a puppy of a Yorkshire terrier, Pomeranian, Chihuahua or dog of another breed is a very important indicator of her well-being. An increase in temperature in a dog may indicate an illness in your dog. Therefore, with any ailment of a puppy or an adult dog, the first thing to do is to take the temperature of the dog before visiting the veterinarian, your information will be very important and necessary for him.

Temperature Signs in Dogs

• hot and dry nose
• lethargy
• refusal of food and water
• nausea,
• pale gums and tongue

If all the necessary measures are taken in time, the chances of recovery are greatly increased.

Four-legged friends can hardly tolerate air temperatures above 30 ⁰ C, the temperature in dogs rises and, in order to cool down, they breathe intensively with their tongue out. Also, the temperature in dogs can also rise due to other factors: during estrus (in bitches), physical exertion, unrest, fear.

What is the normal temperature for dogs?

The temperature of a dog is different from that of a human body, it is slightly higher. Also, the temperature in a puppy is different from the temperature of an adult dog. The body temperature of an adult healthy dog ​​averages 37.5-38.5 ⁰ C, while a healthy puppy has a temperature half a degree higher (39.0 ⁰ C). Also, the temperature in a dog can vary depending on the breed, age, body weight, height. Large breed dogs have a lower body temperature than small breed dogs (Yorkshire terrier, Pomeranian spitz, Chihuahua).

Table of average normal temperatures for puppies; temperature in adult dogs of small, medium and large breeds (⁰С):

• Puppies of dogs of small breeds - 38.6⁰C-39.3⁰C
• Puppies of dogs of medium breeds - 38.3⁰ C - 39.1⁰ C
• Large Breed Puppies - 38.2⁰C - 39.0⁰C
• Adult small breed dogs - 38.5⁰ C - 39.0⁰ C
• Adult dogs of medium breeds - 37.5⁰ C; -39.0⁰ C
• Adult dogs of large breeds - 37.4⁰ C - 38.3⁰ C

To measure the temperature of a dog (adult) or the temperature of a puppy, you can use a medical mercury thermometer or an electronic one. If you use a mercury thermometer, then for accurate readings you need to measure 3-5 minutes, and an electronic thermometer, more convenient, gives readings within 10-15 seconds. It is desirable that a separate thermometer should be allocated for the animal so that family members do not use it for hygienic reasons.

How to take a dog's temperature

• The temperature in a dog is measured only through the rectum.
• Fix the dog in a standing position, if this is not convenient, then in a prone position.
• Prepare the thermometer, zero the readings, raise the dog's tail and slowly insert the thermometer 1.5-2 cm into the anus.
• If such a procedure is the first for your adult dog, then you need to constantly talk to him affectionately and calmly, in no case shout, so that the dog is not frightened and is not in a stressful state, as this may affect the readings of the temperature measurement in the dog . If words of praise are not enough, then use treats as a reward so that the dog remains calm.
• Perform this procedure with disposable gloves.
• After carrying out this procedure, wash the thermometer under warm water and disinfect it with alcohol.

Body temperature is an important indicator of the health status of not only humans, but also animals. A deviation from the norm of this indicator will tell you that the dog needs veterinary care. But if for a person a temperature of 39 degrees indicates a disease, then for a dog, most often, this indicator is not overestimated and is fully consistent with the norm.

Factors affecting temperature

Body temperature in pets is not the same as in humans. Normal body temperature in dogs can range from 37.5 degrees to 39, in rare cases up to 39.3. This indicator is not constant throughout life and depends not only on the breed and size of the animal, but also on the ambient temperature, emotional state and physical activity of the animal.

To answer the question of what temperature in a dog is considered normal at a given time, several factors must be taken into account:

Body temperature in dogs depends on several other factors and may fluctuate slightly. By 0.5-1 degree, the thermometer may increase in the following cases:

1. Hot weather.
2. Severe stress or anxiety.
3. Eating.
4. Estrus.

Decreased for physiological reasons, the temperature is observed in the following cases:

1. The postoperative period, for example, during the withdrawal of the animal from anesthesia.
2. During pregnancy, a few days before childbirth.

Signs of deviation from the norm

There is no need to measure the temperature of a healthy pet, with rare exceptions. It is recommended to control it in breeding puppies, before exhibitions, during pregnancy and during vaccinations. In all other cases, if the dog is cheerful and active, you should not create an additional stressful situation for him by this manipulation.

If the behavior and condition of the pet has changed, suspicious symptoms have appeared, it is imperative to measure the temperature of the animal.

The symptoms of a fever are:

Often, the main symptoms of a fever include a hot and dry nose. In fact, you should not rely on this indicator. In dogs, during and after sleep, the nose is always dry and hot. At the same time, even in the case of intense heat, it can sometimes remain damp and cool. Therefore, this indicator should be paid attention to if dryness of the tip of the nose is observed not sporadically, but for a long time.

Low temperature also has its own signs:

• Shiver.
• Shallow breathing.
• Slow heartbeat.
• Muscular tension.
• Drowsiness.
• Low BP.

Temperature measurement at home

In the event that the dog shows signs of malaise, it is necessary to check its temperature. You can do this at home on your own, before contacting the veterinarian. For this procedure, you will need a conventional or electronic thermometer, petroleum jelly and a lot of sweets.

How can you measure the temperature of a dog at home so that the stress from this manipulation does not provoke an even greater increase in the thermometer readings? Necessary lay the pet on its side, stroke it and soothe it, while giving your favorite treats. Animals are very susceptible to human intonation, so you need to talk to them as calmly and gently as possible.

It is better that 2 people take part in the process of determining temperature indicators. The one who enjoys the most trust and love of a pet should be closer to his face, stroke, soothe and feed. The task of the second person is the following:

1. Lubricate the end of the thermometer with petroleum jelly or other greasy cream, having previously disinfected it.
2. Gently lift the tail up without sudden movements.
3. In the rectum, to a depth of about 2 centimeters, insert a thermometer.
4. The mercury thermometer must be held for 5 minutes, and the electronic one until the beep.
5. At the end of the procedure, the measuring device is carefully removed and then disinfected.

It is important to ensure that during the manipulation the animal does not make sudden movements and does not injure itself. After completing the measurement, the pet should be properly rewarded with treats and praise.

Determination of fever without a thermometer

When there is no thermometer at hand, you can determine the fever without it. On the body of the dogs there are places that will signal the vigilant owner of the danger. Unfortunately, this is not possible for cats.

If a fever is suspected, the four-legged friend should be checked for:

Gums. In a normal state, the gums are moist and have a light pink color. The fever can turn them a rich red color and make them almost dry.

1. Inguinal and axillary cavities. In these areas, the animals do not have sweat glands, respectively, during a fever, these areas will be hot.
2. Ears. The auricles are permeated with a huge number of blood vessels located close to the surface. If the body temperature rises, the blood vessels dilate and the ears become hotter than usual. When only one ear is hot, this rather indicates the inflammatory process of the organ itself.

First aid in excess of the norm

The main thing that the owner of a pet should remember is that in case of any temperature deviations, the pet must be shown to the veterinarian. If it is not possible to quickly get to the doctor, and the indicators have reached a critical limit, you should try to lower the dog's body temperature on your own.

It is not recommended to reduce the temperature with medication. In addition to blurring the clinical picture and making it difficult for the veterinarian to quickly make a correct diagnosis, it can also harm the dog. Non-veterinary antipyretics otherwise act on animals and can poison the pet, cause internal bleeding, and even death.

It is permissible to lower the temperature with medicines only if the indicator has reached a critical limit of 40.5 degrees and does not drop. To do this, prepare a mixture in one syringe from solutions of no-shpa, diphenhydramine and analgin in a ratio of 1:1:1. It is necessary to calculate the dose based on the fact that 0.1 ml of each drug should fall on 1 kg of body weight. That is, an injection of 6 ml is prepared for an average dog weighing 20 kg.

Diphenhydramine and no-shpa are drugs that are approved for the treatment of animals. While analgin can give side effects. In the event of a threat to the life of a pet, the side effects of analgin are not taken into account.

In other cases, temperature indicators can be reduced in the following ways:

1. Apply ice wrapped in a towel to the paws, neck and inner thighs.
2. If there is no way to apply ice, find the coldest place for the pet, for example, in the bathroom on a tile and put it there.
3. Give water to drink, but not ice cold.
4. Moisten paw pads and belly with cool water.

Such actions usually help to reduce the indicator by 0.5 degrees and make it easier to transport the animal to the veterinarian.

Helping a pet with a cold

If the temperature drops below 37 degrees, the first thing to do is warm the dog. To do this, it must be laid in a warm place and wrapped in a blanket made of wool. Prepare a warm heating pad, the temperature of which should be from 38 to 38.5 degrees, and apply it to the paw pads. If the dog does not refuse to drink, give him warm broth or milk.

It is very important to prevent hypothermia of the pet. If possible, call the veterinarian at home. In the absence of such an opportunity, it is possible to transport the animal to the doctor only after the temperature indicators have approached normal.

Veterinary procedures

When a pet with an elevated temperature enters the hospital, the veterinarian, most often, conducts a reception in the following sequence:

1. History taking and clinical examination.
2. Blood analysis and, if necessary, urine.
3. Ultrasound and x-ray.
4. If necessary, a biopsy.
5. Establishing diagnosis.
6. Purpose of treatment.

First of all, the doctor should always conduct a clinical examination and only then proceed to reduce the temperature with medication.

A temperature below 37 degrees indicates that the animal's body is exhausted by the fight against the disease, and the immune system is in the stage of oppression. In this case, resuscitation measures are already needed. Depending on the symptoms that accompany hypothermia, warming treatment is prescribed:

1. Rubbing paws and massages.
2. "Warming" droppers.
3. Stimulation of the cardiovascular system.

Warming therapy should be carried out until the body temperature of the animal will not be kept within the normal range within 15 hours. And general therapy, depending on the disease, will include:

It is impossible to ignore those signs that are unusual for the usual state of a four-legged friend. Any, even the most insignificant deviation can signal a dangerous disease that threatens the dog's life. The sooner the animal is shown to the doctor, the more chances he has for a speedy and complete recovery.

Attention, only TODAY!

To provide first aid to an animal, it is important to know the exact body temperature of the pet. Normal body temperature in dogs ranges from 38 to 39.2 degrees Celsius.. If your pet's temperature does not match this indicator, then you should immediately contact your veterinarian. Body temperature over 40 degrees is a sign of the need for urgent assistance.

The first thing to pay attention to is that in no case should you try to measure body temperature in the oral cavity. You risk being bitten! Even if the dog allows this to be done, the measurement results will be far from the truth. The most effective way to measure the body of an animal is rectal. To do this, you will need an electronic thermometer and a special water-based lubricant. You can also use regular baby cream or petroleum jelly.

Most dogs, for obvious reasons, do not like when they perform certain manipulations in the rectum. Therefore, it will be nice if someone helps you to carry out this procedure. Have your helper place a hand around the dog's neck and place the other hand under the animal's belly, thus enclosing it in an embrace. Raise the dog's tail and slowly insert the greased thermometer into the dog's rectum to a depth of about a centimeter. Press the start button on the thermometer and wait for the beep.

Tips for measuring body temperature in a dog:

• For a quicker measurement of your dog's body, use a digital thermometer.
• A thermometer is a must have in any veterinary first aid kit!
• When using a mercury thermometer, be extremely careful, make sure that the dog does not make sudden movements.
• Avoid using glass thermometers, especially if you have a very active animal. It happens that thermometers burst and harm the pet.
• Some dog owners use ear thermometers. Their use is not prohibited, but the results of such a measurement are approximate, so you cannot be sure of the accuracy of the set temperature.
• A person is unable to assess the body temperature of an animal by touch. A warm or dry nose is also not a mandatory sign of fever, and also does not indicate the presence or absence of health problems, this is a myth.

Can't measure your dog's body temperature rectally?

Body temperature is an important indicator of the health of an animal. This is one of the first signs that a dog's body needs help. With a few physiological causes of temperature fluctuations, there are much more pathologies leading to this, which only a veterinary specialist will help to understand.

Normal body temperature in dogs

• Normal temperature indicators in dogs are not the same as in humans, and fluctuate between 37.7-39°C.
• In some situations, the limits can be extended from 37.5 to 39.3° WITH.
• On average, temperature rise above 39°С in adults, this is no longer the norm.
• Moreover, a smooth increase in temperature is much more dangerous than sharp jumps, because. the vigilance of the immune system is literally "lulled" and the fight against the cause of the heat does not immediately occur.

The temperature in a dog (norm) depends on:

• age(the older, the lower the indicators of the physiological norm - in small puppies it is considered normal up to 39.2 ° C, in old ones it can be in the range of 37.3-37.8 ° C);
• gender(the temperature of bitches is slightly higher than that of males, due to the peculiarities of hormonal regulation);
• breed features(in dogs of small breeds, the indicators are slightly higher than in large breeds at the same age);
• physiological state(pregnancy, estrus, recovery from illness, etc. factors provoke fluctuations in indicators in one direction or another).

The temperature of dogs, depending on the age and size of the breed:

Physiologically, temperature indicators are growing:

• in hot weather;
• during periods of stress or unrest;
• from prolonged physical activity;
• during estrus;
• after eating.

How to take a dog's temperature?

The following instruments may be needed to measure temperature:

• classic mercury thermometer or veterinary;
• Digital Thermometer;
• rectal (mercury or electronic) thermometer;
• infrared ear thermometer.

Ideally, if the animal has its own personal measuring device that is not used by humans.

Usually, the thermometry procedure does not cause discomfort in the dog, however, an assistant will not hurt, especially if the dog is a large breed.

1. In small dogs temperature is measured in the supine position - on the side or stomach. If there is an assistant, then he slightly presses the animal to any horizontal surface, and someone else measures it. If there is no assistant, then the dog is placed on its knees across, the tail is held with one hand along the entire length and pushed aside, the thermometer is inserted with the other hand.
2. In large dogs thermometry is best done together, while at least one person the pet should know very well (for example, the owner). One person holds the dog by the neck and around the torso, the second inserts a thermometer. Large breeds must be muzzled or with a fixed mouth with a rope loop using an ordinary bandage (single knot on top, twisting on the bottom and fixing on the back of the head below the ears).
3. End gauge before measurements, it is lubricated with a greasy cream, glycerin or petroleum jelly.
4. Tail gently retracted to the side and with a gentle rotational movement from side to side, the thermometer is inserted into the rectum to a depth of 1-2 cm, depending on the size of the pet.
5. Digital Thermometer held until the beep classic mercury- in time 3-5 minutes; infrared ear results are almost instantaneous.
6. After removing the thermometer from the rectum, its tip must be wiped with a swab moistened with any disinfectant solution.

During the procedure, you need to talk to the dog in a soft, relaxed voice. You can teach your pet to a team, such as "treat" or "thermometer", because. the procedure must be carried out on a regular basis. At the end, you can give any treat, praising for good behavior at the time of thermometry.

Unlike cats, dogs have places on their bodies where the owner can determine the presence of a fever without resorting to instrumental thermometry. Such places include the ears, armpits and inguinal cavities, as well as the gums.

• Ears. Numerous vessels pass through the auricles, which expand at high temperatures, giving higher degrees than usual. Both ears must be equally hot. An increase in the local temperature of only one ear is not a sign of fever - this is more evidence of a local inflammatory process.
• Axillary and inguinal cavities. Dogs do not have sweat glands in these areas, so an increase in general body temperature is perfectly felt there as a clear heat. A person's hands during tactile measurement should not be cold, so that there is no false-hot sensation.
• Gums. Normally, a dog's gums are moist and pink. If the animal begins to beat the fever, they become intensely red and, literally, almost dry.

Signs of an increase or decrease in the temperature of the dog's body

There are a number of signs that should prompt the pet owner to take thermometry and find out body temperature. A decrease in body temperature (hypothermia) in a dog is just as dangerous as growth (fever).

Fever symptoms:

• dry and hot nose (unless at night and after sleep);
• lethargy and apathy;
• refusal of food, and, sometimes, of water;
• pale and dry gums, tongue;
• sometimes vomiting;
• convulsions;
• hard breath;
• heart palpitations.

Attention: dry and hot nose is of diagnostic value only if this phenomenon is observed for a long time, and not sporadically!

Signs of a decrease in temperature:

• drowsiness;
• shiver;
• muscle tension;
• slow heartbeat;
• lowering blood pressure;
• rare, shallow breathing;
• the inability to eat or drink, even if there is a desire.

Causes of fluctuations in body temperature in a dog

A change in temperature in a pet is an indicator of ill health. It is always not low or high indicators that are treated, but their primary sources. Those. it is important to determine the causes of the rise in temperature.

Possible causes of a rise in dog body temperature:

The temperature drops when:

First aid for an increase or decrease in body temperature in a dog

A high or low temperature is a sign that adverse changes have occurred in the health of the dog, i.e. it is not an independent disease, but a compound symptom. At home, it is allowed to independently influence its indicators only in cases where it is impossible to immediately visit a veterinarian or threaten the life of a pet with critical numbers.

With fever

The dog does not sweat the entire surface of the body, so it is very important to reduce the temperature as soon as possible if it has reached a critical point. An independent medication lowering the temperature will blur the clinical picture of the disease, which will make it difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. Antipyretic drugs for humans on dogs work a little differently and can cause fatal poisoning and internal bleeding.

Remember: dogs are not allowed to give paracetamol! Also, you can not give any other antipyretic drugs from the human first aid kit, but nothing without the appointment of a veterinarian.

If it is impossible to deliver the animal to the veterinary clinic, the temperature can be slightly lowered on your own without medication:

1. Carry out contact cooling. To do this, apply ice wrapped in a kitchen towel or any medium-weight cloth or cloth to the neck area, inner thigh and paw pads.
2. In the absence of ice moisten the animal's coat with cool water, including paw pads.
3. Be sure to drink cool water (not cold!).
4. Put the pet in any cool place in the house(for example, in a bathroom with a tiled floor). Usually dogs look for such a place on their own when they are feverish, which may initially serve as a signal that the pet should have its body temperature checked.

All of these procedures usually manage to lower the body temperature below a critical limit in order to be able to get to a veterinary specialist.

With hypothermia

At home, when the temperature drops below normal, the dog needs to be literally warmed up. Put in a warm place, apply a heating pad with water up to 38 ° C to the paws, cover with a woolen blanket, give it a warm drink (milk, broth). After normalization of the temperature, the need to visit the veterinarian remains.

What does a veterinarian do?

With fever

When a dog enters a veterinary clinic with an elevated body temperature, the veterinarian conducts a reception in the classical sequence:

• collection of a detailed anamnesis;
• complete clinical examination;
• appointment of urine and blood tests;
• x-ray and ultrasound diagnostics;
• biopsy (if the situation so requires);
• prescribing treatment according to the diagnosis.

The veterinarian always first conducts a complete clinical examination, and then only, if necessary, resorts to medication to lower the temperature.

If the animal arrives already with a critical body temperature, then the veterinarian conducts the usual appointment, only a little faster, in order to give an antipyretic injection after the maximum collection of diagnostic information.

Lowering the temperature with drugs is allowed only in cases where the indicator goes off scale above critical limits, namely above 40.5°С. To reduce it, you can use a mixture of solutions of no-shpa, analgin and diphenhydramine in ratios of 1:1:1 in one syringe, at a dosage of each drug of 0.1 ml / kg. That is, for example, an injection of 3 ml of a mixture is prepared for a dog weighing 10 kg: 1 ml of no-shpa + 1 ml of analgin + 1 ml of diphenhydramine.

At temperatures above 40.5 ° C, a threat to the life of a dog is already being considered, therefore, possible side effects of analgin are not taken into account (no-shpa and diphenhydramine are included in the list of permitted free use in dogs, analgin is allowed with caution and under the supervision of a veterinarian).

With hypothermia

A decrease in body temperature below 36.5 ° C indicates that the dog's strength to resist the disease has been exhausted, the immune system is in a state of suppression (oppression). The animal needs resuscitation.

Depending on other symptoms that accompany hypothermia, the doctor prescribes warming therapy in the form of:

• "warming" injections and droppers;
• cardiovascular stimulation;
• rubbing and massages.

Resuscitation will be carried out until within 14-16 hours the body temperature is kept within the physiological norm without medical assistance.

You can not ignore any signs that are not characteristic of the daily condition and behavior of a pet. It is possible that the dog has a fever or a temperature drop and how quickly the pet will recover will depend on the speed of the meeting with the veterinarian and the timely diagnosis.

In dogs, body temperature is one of the main criteria by which the general condition of the body is assessed. Its normal indicators in different breeds, due to physiological characteristics and temperament, differ significantly. For puppies, this is a special conversation. Therefore, you should remember the norm and understand what to do when a dog has a fever raised or lowered.

What to do when your dog has an abnormal temperature

Increased rates are always alarming, while thoughts about infectious pathology immediately arise. You should not immediately worry, because when affected by bacteria or viruses, the temperature is also accompanied by:

• diarrhea
• vomiting;
• change in the color of the mucous membranes;
• poor appetite or complete refusal to eat.

But owners do not always pay attention to a reduced temperature, combined with drowsiness, a decrease in the activity of a pet. Although this alarming symptom may indicate:

• serious violations of cardiovascular activity;
• various traumatic injuries;
• kidney failure and other conditions that are most dangerous for a dog.

All the nuances of this problem will be considered in detail in our article and we will tell, what to do, if dog has a fever different from the norm.

What is the normal temperature for dogs

If the animal is healthy, the temperature can fluctuate from 37.5 to 39. These numbers are individual., they depend on age, breed, weight, temperament, as well as on environmental conditions (heat, cold). Temperature indicators are directly dependent on metabolism - in puppies and small dogs, metabolic processes are always accelerated, therefore the temperature is higher:

• Small breeds: puppy - 38.6-39.3; adult dog - 38.5-39 degrees.
• Medium breeds: puppy - 38.3-39.1; adults - 37.5-39 degrees.
• Large breeds: puppy - 38.2-39; adult dogs - 37.4-38.3 degrees.

The age/weight of the animal are the main determinants of temperature.

The following points are also important:

• Weather - in hot weather, the dog lives in a room without air conditioning, the temperature can be 1.5 degrees higher, the pet will look for a cold corner, its activity will be reduced.
• In females, shortly before whelping, the temperature may drop by 1-1.5 degrees.
• Measuring it helps the breeder determine when this important moment begins.
• Stressful situations - it all depends on the temperament of the dog.

When a dog has a temperature, only an experienced doctor can tell what to do after examining and studying the data of the necessary tests - there can be many reasons for the increase and decrease.

How to take your dog's temperature correctly

For these purposes, they use the most common human thermometers from a pharmacy - mercury, electronic. Mercury is cheaper, but temperature measurement takes about three to five minutes, which not every animal will allow.

For the procedure the best option would be an electronic thermometer– and it is easier for you, and the dog is more comfortable. It shows the exact result in 20-30 seconds. If you are a breeder, it is recommended to have a separate device for each individual.

The process is not difficult, but if the dog is not accustomed, certain problems may arise. The first few times the procedure should be carried out with extreme caution.

You can measure the temperature without discomfort and get accurate readings like this:

• Pre-lubricate with vaseline / baby cream, and preferably with levomekol gel, the tip of the thermometer.
• Knock down the thermometer.
• Lay the dog down, carefully lifting the tail, insert the thermometer 1.5-2 cm into the anus. Ideally, if possible, lean the thermometer against the walls of the rectum.
• If a mercury thermometer is used, the procedure will take about 5 minutes, if an electronic one - no more than 50-60 seconds.
• After measurement, the thermometer is thoroughly washed, disinfected with alcohol.

Temperature can be measured in other ways:

• The thermometer is placed in the animal's mouth - this method can be used for calm, absolutely obedient pets who will not gnaw on the thermometer.
• In dogs with a thin or bare belly, temperature can be measured in the groin by wrapping the thermometer in a fold of skin and holding it there until the end of the procedure.

The environment must be calm, otherwise the dog may be very worried and break the thermometer, which is very dangerous when using mercury devices. To calm the animal, talk to him, feed him with all sorts of treats. If the thermometer indicates increased / decreased indicators without precisely defined reasons, only an experienced specialist can tell what to do at such a temperature in dogs.

Fever: benefits and harms

The temperature rises when:

1. Heat transfer is physically impossible or violated due to various reasons;
2. Special mechanisms for heat retention are included.

For the first case, a perfect example would be a dog locked up in a car with no air conditioning in hot weather. The animal overheats, gets heatstroke very quickly - at the same time, too much heat is generated in its body, which cannot be removed properly.

The second option is heat is lingered specifically to fight viruses, bacteria, various pathological substances. In this case, fever is caused by the presence of pyrogens (any substance that causes fever) in the body. Pyrogens can be:

• remnants of the vital activity of viruses / bacteria;
• destroyed tissues formed during traumatic injuries or during the decay of neoplasms;
• various substances that cause allergic manifestations.

Thus, in infectious pathologies, injuries and the presence of neoplasms, elevated temperature acts as a protective reaction. It enhances metabolic processes, as a result of which the production of interferon and antibodies is accelerated, which means that the body becomes more resistant to various pathological factors. Many pathogens lose their ability to reproduce.

There are also serious negative effects on the body of the animal:

• The brain does not receive enough nutrition - the dog is depressed, inhibited, sometimes it can lose consciousness (in severe cases).
• The gastrointestinal tract functions abnormally - the secretion of saliva / pancreatic juice decreases, less gastric juice is secreted, less bile, intestinal motility decreases.
• In the body of a dog, water-salt metabolism is disturbed, urination increases, fluid is lost due to rapid breathing. As a result - rapid dehydration, which entails a change in the composition of the blood - and, therefore, the nutrition of the brain and heart will worsen.

What to do if the dog high temperature

So, based on the foregoing, we can distinguish the following main factors that cause an increase in temperature:

• Infectious pathologies;
• Neoplasms of various origins;
• inflammation;
• Penetration of various allergens;
• metabolic disorders;
• Negative effect of heat.

The following symptoms indicate an increase in temperature:

• rapid breathing;
• violation of heart rhythms;
• general weakness;
• decreased or complete lack of appetite;
• trembling, tremor of the limbs.

With such clinical manifestations, you should immediately measure the temperature and show the animal to the veterinarian immediately (it is better to call him home). An increase in temperature pathologically affects most of the pet's organs / systems, therefore, before the arrival of a specialist, first aid measures must be taken. Especially if the indicators are more than 41 degrees:

• Should take the dog to a room where the air temperature is not higher than 18-20 degrees, while the dog should not be laid on the cold floor, drafts are also unacceptable.
• You can't force your pet to move.
• To avoid dehydration, provide free access to clean water. If the animal does not drink on its own, force water - it is more convenient to do this using a 20 cc syringe.
• Categorically force-feeding is prohibited animal.
• Do not use "human" NSAIDs(aspirin, analgin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, etc.), lowering the temperature - only an experienced specialist can calculate the correct dosage. With a mistake, the development of serious complications that threaten the health and life of the dog is possible.

When a dog has a fever, what to do can only be said for sure by a specialist, based on the clinical picture and the results of the tests. The treatment regimen depends on the diagnosis.

Falling temperature is a reason to sound the alarm

Decrease in temperature (the condition is also called hypothermia) - the temperature drops below 37.5 degrees. It is observed when the process of heat transfer prevails over the process of heat production.

Causes of hypothermia can be:

• hypothermia;
• loss of strength due to unbalanced or insufficient nutrition;
• poisoning with various toxins, poisons, drugs;
• dehydration;
• intense blood loss due to injuries or prolonged surgical interventions;
• intoxication;
• endocrine pathologies of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands;
• severe heart disease.

In puppies, hypothermia happens quite often, it may not be associated with the progression of any diseases, but develop as a result of imperfect thermoregulation mechanisms in a young body.

An incredibly dangerous condition for a puppy is drop in temperature with viral enteritis. This happens due to intoxication of the baby with decay products, as well as due to dehydration. Without urgent help from a doctor, the dog dies in 2-3 days.

Symptoms of a drop in temperature are as follows:

• The animal wants to lie down in a warm place, curling up.
• The wool is ruffled, thus forming an additional protection to keep warm.
• Muscle tremors are observed as a protective reaction to hypothermia, contributing to the formation of additional heat.
• The mucous membranes turn pale, become cold, the limbs are cold to the touch - all this speaks of a violation of the heart.

When a dog has a low temperature, only a specialist can determine what to do. The animal should be delivered very quickly to the veterinarian, it is better to call the doctor at home. Before the arrival of a specialist, the owner must:

• Put the dog in a warm room, covering it with a blanket, overlaying heating pads with warm water.
• Drink warm meat broth, warm milk.

Critical is the state of hypothermia with indicators below 36- this indicates that the protective forces of the animal have been exhausted. There is a loss of consciousness, a weak pulse, respiratory failure (rare superficial), a decrease in heart rate - the pulse and heart rhythms are heard with difficulty. You should urgently call an ambulance veterinary help - only intensive resuscitation will help save your pet.

You don't need to take your temperature every day. This should be done only when the animal is not the same as usual, and there is a characteristic clinical picture for a particular pathology. If you suspect something is wrong, do not hesitate to visit the clinic, because many diseases are successfully treated only in the initial stages. Attentive care will help maintain the health and life of the pet for many years.

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