Fever

Fever is an increase in your dog or cat's temperature above the normal range that is a result of a wide variety of conditions and diseases. In order for you to check if your pet has a fever, you need tools to enter the back door. Gently insert the tip of a rectal thermometer with a liberal amount of petroleum jelly, to its pucker. Be sure someone else is holding your pet. If this is a cat, it may deny you entry.

CAUSES OF FEVER

Bacteria in your pet’s blood can produce substances that cause fever. The body tries to prevent the increase in population of the bacteria in the blood by increasing the temperature. In this attempt, it hopes to control the infection.

However, once a critical temperature is reached, it can lead to permanent damages to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body. A temperature of 41°C for long periods of time can lead to permanent brain damage (Flournoy et al. 2003). This condition should be stopped to help your pet.

General infections:

Dogs: Ehrlichiosis or blood parasitism, Kidney infections, Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus, Leptospirosis

Cats: Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline AIDS, Feline Panleukopenia, Bacterial pneumonia

WHY YOU NEED TO BRING YOUR PET TO THE VET

The cause of a fever from a form of inflammation can be found through your vet performing a physical exam. Physical exam or checkup is a simple procedure when your vet touches different parts of your pet’s body to check for abnormalities. But when the findings are normal or insufficient, a routine laboratory procedure must be performed. A basic blood workup and rapid screening tests for infections will help to narrow down the choices and identify the main problem.

Once your vet identifies the infection, the correct antibiotic will be prescribed over a course of days to weeks. Unfortunately, there is no cure all antibiotic for dogs and cats. Using an antibiotic for your pet’s self medication is dangerous at high dosages can damage the body, and certain bacteria could develop multiple drug resistance. This drug resistant bacteria, when transferred to you, could lead to your hospitalization. If a non-infectious cause is identified, your vet may either recommend further tests with possible confinement.

WHEN YOU CAN’T FIND A VET AT THIS TIME

Step 1

Record your pet’s temperature every 15 minutes for the next hour.

Step 2

Place pet in a quiet, air-conditioned room (20 to 25 degree Celsius), away from other people and pets. Alternatively, place a fistful of ice in plastic. Wrap in a towel, and gently apply all over the body. Allow complete rest.

Step 3

Continue to monitor your pet’s temperature and behaviour until the fever doesn’t return. If there are other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or pain that continue to get worse, a visit to the emergency room is a must.
If you have contact to your vet, you must tell him or her that the first aid did not work.
If your pet's temperature went down successfully, this could just possibly be stress or excitement.

Step 4

Never give your pet human medication, such as Paracetamol, aspirin or acetaminophen. It will lead to kidney damage which may be irreversible.

Be several minutes early in your vet's office before it opens in the morning.

Reminders The information contained here is not meant to take place of a diagnosis, consultation, or treatment. Any article is not meant to be a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. It intends to inform you about the topic and first line home care options, that could help you decide if your pet needs to be seen immediately. Any reliance you place on this information is strictly at your own risk. If the condition persists, your pet must be seen by your primary care veterinarian in order to receive the safest and most effective treatment.
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