All living creatures on Earth have a certain body temperature. A decrease or increase in it indicates any changes in the animal’s body. The first thing the doctor does at the appointment is measure the body temperature of the four-legged patient. From this article you will learn what is the normal temperature of a dog, what diseases are the symptoms and possible complications. And also how to measure if you don’t have a thermometer at hand.
Dog body temperature
The normal body temperature of a healthy dog varies from 37.5 to 39 C.
Having measured the dog’s body temperature and seen on the thermometer, for many owners, a seemingly frightening indicator of 39 C - there is no need to panic. Let's find out why. A common misconception among owners is averaging the upper and lower limits of normal temperature (37.5 - 39 C).
In fact, like humans, each organism is individual and has its own normal temperature. If one of your dogs has a temperature of 38 C, and the other has a temperature of 39 C, then this is quite normal.
Based on the above, it can be understood that the temperature indicator for dogs is not the same. Then the question arises, what does this depend on? It's simple, basically such temperature fluctuations depend on the age, weight and height of the pet.
| Puppies | Normal body t, in °C |
| Large breed puppies (Central Asian Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Great Dane, Golden Retriever, Doberman, Dalmatian, Rottweiler and others). | 38 - 39 °C |
| Puppies of medium breeds (pit bull, English bulldog, boxer, bull terrier, poodle, sharpei, chow chow and others). | 38.2 – 39.1 °C |
| Small breed puppies (Affenpinscher, Beagle, West Highland Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Chihuahua, Pug, Dachshund, Toy Terrier and others). | 38.5 – 39.2 °C |
Large dogs are considered to be animals weighing more than 28 kg and height at the withers of more than 60 cm. Medium breeds of dogs, conditionally, should weigh 10 - 28 kg. Dogs whose weight does not exceed 10 kg are considered small.
| Adult dogs of various breeds | Normal body t, in °C |
| Large breeds | 37.4 – 38.4 °C |
| Medium breeds | 37.5 – 39 °C |
| Small breeds | 38.5 – 39 °C |
According to research by scientists and observations of veterinarians, body temperature indicators do not depend on the breed of the dog.
Low temperature in a dog
Low temperature is more dangerous than fever, but this condition is not so common. Hypothermia can be mild (32 – 37℃), moderate (28 – 32℃) and severe (below 28℃).
Symptoms
The greater the severity, the more pronounced the signs of low temperature.
A dog of any breed may have muscle weakness, tremors, drowsiness, pale mucous membranes, paws that are cold to the touch, and a rare pulse. Blood pressure will be low, breathing and heart rate will be weak, and the pupils may be dilated.
If the degree is severe, the heart works intermittently, problems with the nervous system. This is an indicator of immediate veterinary care.
Symptoms and types of diseases with fever
A change in temperature is the first warning signal of the onset of any disease. In many cases, the disease can occur latently (hidden) and not significantly affect the dog’s behavior. The pet may be malnourished or reluctant to go for walks; often with such insignificant changes, owners do not seek help from veterinary clinics, but take a thermometer and measure the temperature.
The body temperature of animals can change at night by 0.2 - 0.6 C. Such fluctuations are normal.
There are three obvious outcomes that the thermometer will show us:
- Normal t – 37.5 – 39.0 C.
- Decreased t (hypothermia) – the thermometer is below 37.4 C.
- Increased t (hyperthermia) – the thermometer is above 39.2 C.
How to measure correctly
The animal's temperature is measured with a regular thermometer. You can also use a standard glass thermometer with mercury for this, but this is not very convenient. With it, you will have to hold the dog for several minutes. In addition, such equipment is unsafe - fever is measured in the rectum, and a glass thermometer, if moved carelessly, easily breaks and can cause dangerous injury. Therefore, it is faster, more convenient and safer to use an electronic thermometer.
- The measurement is carried out in a calm environment, which excludes the possibility of fright or sudden movement of the pet.
- The tip of the thermometer is lubricated with Vaseline before measurement.
- It is advisable to place the animal on its side - this will make inserting the thermometer easier for you and will relieve the animal from unpleasant sensations.
- The thermometer is carefully and slowly inserted into the anus, lifting the animal's tail. The insertion depth is 1-2 cm.
- At the end of the measurement - with an electronic thermometer it will take 60 seconds, with a mercury thermometer - 7 minutes - be sure to pet, praise the animal, and treat it with a treat.
- After the procedure, wash with soap and disinfect the thermometer and hands.
Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia is a change in body temperature that exceeds the upper limit of normal.
There can be many reasons for high temperature, ranging from stress to neoplasms, let’s consider them in more detail:
- Stress does not cause serious concern; when it is removed, t returns to normal. Stress can be caused by transporting an animal, strong and prolonged noise, a change of owner, or a large number of people in the room wanting to play with the dog.
- Viral and infectious diseases - when foreign microorganisms are introduced, a protective reaction occurs, which is accompanied by an increase in temperature.
- Non-infectious diseases (vascular and heart diseases, joints, sepsis, hormonal imbalance, etc.).
- Poisoning/intoxication of the body.
- Allergic reactions - an increase in body temperature is the body's immune response to an allergen.
- Teething in puppies (not always).
- Overheating or hypothermia of the body.
After childbirth, complications are possible, this will be indicated by an increase in temperature up to 40 - 41 C.
Symptoms of hyperthermia
The symptoms of hyperthermia are nonspecific and can manifest themselves in a number of other diseases that are not accompanied by a change in temperature.
- lethargy, apathy (the animal is not physically active);
- dry and hot nose (not only when t changes, for example, after waking up);
- chills (with a significant increase in t, the dog shudders, this is manifested by trembling of the whole body, less often of individual parts);
- appetite is weak or absent;
- severe thirst (the animal strives to reduce the heat inside with large amounts of water);
- the dog strives for a dark, cold place;
- vomiting/diarrhea.
An increase in temperature, despite everything, is considered a good sign, since the body exhibits a protective reaction.
Fever in a dog
Typically, dog owners react to a dry and hot tip of the nose in their pet. In a dog, it may seem like this in a dream, in the presence of overwork or excitement, or thirst. If the dog is very old, its dry nose may be due to a disruption in the production of moisturizing secretions.
Let's take a closer look at the symptoms of high levels on the thermometer.
Symptoms
A dog of any breed has a fever:
If the ears, paws, armpits, and groin area seem hot;
The nose is covered with crusts and a whitish coating;
In the mouth, the gums appear bright, swollen, and small wounds are visible on them;
Pulse and breathing are rapid;
General depressed state, poor appetite, increased thirst, refusal to play, the dog seeks solitude.
Causes of high temperature
The balance between heat generation and heat transfer creates the temperature norm. If there are deviations, then there is a violation of regulation. If the imbalance is a short-term increase in temperature, no more than 1 degree, then the reasons are natural:
A lot of physical activity, expenditure of energy on the animal;
Emotional factor: the owner has left for a while, the house is moving. Some dogs even react to a visit to a veterinarian with strong anxiety;
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a decrease in body temperature below 37.0 C.
There are 3 degrees of hypothermia (hypothermia):
- Weak degree of hypothermia – 32 – 37 C
- Average degree of hypothermia – 28 – 32 C
- Severe hypothermia – below 28 C
For any degree of hypothermia, you must contact a veterinary clinic. Failure to provide first aid can result in coma or death.
Causes of hypothermia
- Hypothermia (prolonged exposure to cold or cold water).
- Disturbance of heat production.
- Long-term operations on the abdominal and thoracic cavities.
- Anesthesia for more than 4 hours.
A decrease in temperature is observed in pregnant bitches before giving birth for 8 to 14 hours.
Symptoms of hypothermia
- Apathy, depressed state.
- Trembling muscles.
- Bradycardia (decreased heart rate).
- Critical drop in pressure.
- The frequency and depth of breathing is reduced.
- Sensitivity reduced.
- Weakening or absence of heart sounds.
- Dilated pupils and lack of reaction to light.
Treatment
Attention! The information below is for informational purposes only. Do not self-medicate; if you notice a deviation from the norm in the animal’s condition, consult a specialist.
First aid
The first thing to do if the dog has a fever is to place the animal in a cooler room; if this is not the case, simply ventilate it (avoid drafts).
How to lower the temperature?
The second step will be contact cooling (applying ice cubes or wet towels to the groin and back area).
A prerequisite for reducing t is to give the dog cool water.
At temperatures above 41 C it is necessary to give antipyretics.
How to increase the temperature?
At home, the animal needs to increase the low temperature as quickly as possible, for this you should - move the dog to a warm room, wrap it in a towel/any woolen items, you can use heating pads or simple plastic bottles filled with hot water, give the animal warm water and check t every 8 - 14 minutes.
If the above measures do not give a positive result, you should urgently consult a doctor!
Diagnostics
Hyperthermia is diagnosed by clinical signs or thermometer readings.
Like hyperthermia, hypothermia is diagnosed by clinical signs and temperature changes.
It should be remembered that fever is not a disease, but just a symptom. Eliminating the symptom can smooth out the clinical picture.
Treatment at a veterinary clinic
To reduce the temperature with drugs, the doctor first examines the animal, collects anamnesis, measures t, if necessary, gives the following medications - paracetamol, phenacetin, amidopyrine, antipyrine, analgin, butadione, salicylic acid preparations.
To increase t in a clinical setting, warm enemas are used, and isotonic solutions are administered intravenously.
The use of drugs intended for humans can cause allergic reactions in dogs.
First aid for a pet with abnormalities
Deviation from temperature norms: increase or decrease (hypothermia), signals that the pet requires medical attention. There is no way to take him to a veterinary hospital and there is a lot of time before the doctor arrives; provide first aid yourself.
If the temperature rises above 400C, you must try to bring it down before it rises to a critical level. Try to lower your temperature a little without using medications, procedure:
- Contact cooling. Apply ice, wrapped in a towel or light cloth, to your inner thighs, neck, and paw pads.
- If there is no ice, wet your dog's fur and paw pads with cold water.
- Let's drink cool water in small portions.
- Place the dog in a cool place.
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Usually, the above actions succeed in lowering the animal’s temperature.
Attention! Never use antipyretics for your dog from your home medicine cabinet; they are toxic and can lead to death.
If your dog's body temperature drops below normal, you should increase it yourself in the following ways:
- To keep the body warm, wrap it in a blanket heated on a radiator or with a hairdryer.
- Warm up using a heater, heating pad, warm water bottle, or electric blanket.
- Try giving warm water or heated liquid food if the dog is conscious.
During heating, the animal should lie quietly, without unnecessary actions. After some time, the temperature will stabilize.
If your dog has a fever
The body’s natural protective reaction to an infection or virus is an increase in temperature, due to this, most microorganisms die, but too high an indicator means that the body cannot cope and the dog’s life is at risk. A high temperature of up to 40-41 0C indicates that the dog has a fever. Symptoms associated with the condition:
- lack of appetite
- constant thirst
- infrequent urination
- weakness and immobility
- rapid breathing and heart rate
Do not treat yourself; the effects of incorrectly chosen medications can cause more harm than good. Therefore, you should immediately contact a veterinarian, call at home or consult by phone. After examination and tests, the doctor will prescribe a course of treatment.
For hypothermia
Hypothermia in dogs, under the influence of external factors and a decrease in body temperature below 370C, is called hypothermia. To determine the stage of hypothermia, you need to measure your body temperature, there are:
- mild - from 32 to 35 degrees (the dog is trying to warm up, looking for sources of heat, trembling, weakness)
- average - from 28 to 32 degrees (shallow, intermittent breathing, drowsiness, inactivity)
- severe - below 28 degrees (dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, weak heart rate, loss of consciousness, coma)
In case of severe hypothermia, the dog’s life is at risk; it is necessary to immediately call a veterinarian at home or take it to a veterinary clinic.
Monitor your dog's body temperature, measure and record data regularly to know your pet's normal. Good health to your pets!
Temperature measurement
How to measure a dog's body temperature?
A mercury or electronic thermometer can be used to detect hyperthermia or hypothermia.
In some electronic thermometers not made in Russia, you can see another unit of temperature measurement - Fahrenheit, instead of degrees Celsius.
How to measure a dog's temperature with a mercury thermometer?
- First you need to calm and fix the dog.
- Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with Vaseline/oil.
- Insert the thermometer into the rectum with smooth movements, 3–4 cm for large dogs, 1.5–2.0 cm for small dogs.
- Hold the thermometer in the rectum for about 3 - 5 minutes, during this time stroke, calm the animal, talk to it.
- After 3 - 5 minutes, take out the thermometer, wipe with cotton wool and see the results.
- After use, wash the thermometer with warm soapy water and then wipe with alcohol wipes.
How to check a dog's temperature without a thermometer?
You don’t always have a thermometer at hand in emergency situations, so you need to know how to check whether your pet’s temperature is increasing/decreasing based on observations and examination at home.
It is worth paying attention to how a dog behaves with hyperthermia - it will try to find a cool place, lie on the tiles in the bathroom or toilet, lean against the walls, strive for a dark place, the dog will experience severe thirst.
On palpation, the skin will be hot, and in some areas the temperature will be significantly increased. The nose is dry and cold. With significant hyperthermia (40.5 - 41 C), involuntary muscle tremors will be observed.
How to measure a puppy's temperature?
There are no individual indications for measuring t for puppies. The temperature is measured as for an adult dog. But you should monitor your pet more carefully and avoid activity, as this may lead to damage to the thermometer in the rectum.
Critical temperature in dogs
There are also elevated thermometer readings. These are frightening numbers above 39.5-40°C. Yes, this is the first reason to worry about your pet’s health; you need to think about what your pet has eaten in recent days. It makes sense to visit a veterinarian for an examination. But such numbers are not something critical.
Now, if the value has increased to 40-41°C, then you should immediately take the dog to the veterinary clinic, where he will receive urgent assistance.
Heating the body from the inside when exceeding 40.5°C is dangerous due to loss of fluid, decreased appetite or its complete absence, apathy and a depressed state. Accompanying rapid heartbeat and breathing.
An increase in temperature of 41.1°C is the very critical mark leading to fluid loss. This is a direct road to cerebral edema, disruption of the functioning of internal organs, rapid heartbeat, cardiac arrhythmia, severe shortness of breath with wheezing, loss of consciousness, and convulsions. There is a strong lack of coordination of all movements, there may be diarrhea, vomiting, yellowing of the conjunctiva of the eyes and the entire oral mucosa. Urine is either absent or smells of acetone, blood may leak from the rectum, and hemorrhages are also noticeable on the skin. This could be a harbinger of the pet’s death, so don’t delay and rush to the clinic
!
Possible complications
Hyperthermia can threaten the health of the animal, possible disorders of the central nervous system, digestive tract, dehydration, impaired water-salt metabolism, and stress on the organs of the circulatory system.
Hypothermia is dangerous due to frostbite, cardiac and respiratory arrest.
With timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable; in advanced stages (t stays at a certain level for a long time - a week or more) - cautious.
Prevention
There is no specific prophylaxis for hyperthermia and hypothermia. But to prevent this symptom, it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of diseases that cause this symptom.
It is necessary to control physical activity, walks in the winter or simply cold seasons should be reduced, and if the animal has short hair, special clothes should be put on the dog.
Provide balanced nutrition, a warm place to sleep and, in general, living conditions should be at least satisfactory.
Monitor the pet's condition and carry out timely deworming and give the necessary vaccinations.
Briefly about the main thing
- Fever is not an independent disease, but only a symptom.
- Normal t in dogs varies from 38.5 to 39.2 C, and depends on the age, weight and height of the dog.
- Hyperthermia can be dangerous in the absence of medical or pre-medical care.
- Hypothermia is a decrease in temperature that can lead to death in a short time.
- Self-treatment with human drugs can lead to allergic reactions.
- If possible, it is better to take your pet to a veterinary clinic to determine the reasons that caused the increase or decrease in temperature.
- Only a doctor can diagnose diseases that cause hyperthermia/hypothermia.
