How can a dog suffering with Fever be treated?
Fever refers to the elevation of body temperature above the accepted normal temperature of dogs.
Causes and symptoms:
The thermoregulatory center of the animal is located in the brain. Heat loss is accomplished through dilatation of superficial blood vessels of the skin, panting and, to some extent, on body posture exposed to a cooler environment. Some degree of higher environmental temperature can be taken care of by the thermoregulatory center, but when there is inadequate heat dissipation, the dog may suffer from heat stroke. Similarly excessive exercise may result in elevation of body temperature.
Fever is a kind or reaction of the body to various environmental and other abnormalities which result from several infections and other innumerable factors.
Mild or moderate rise of body temperature is not generally fatal, and, in fact, may be rather beneficial to the body. However, fever on account of various bacterial, viral and such other infections can be fatal.
Treatment and Prevention:
Your veterinarian should be able to diagnose the cause of fever on obtaining the complete history, a physical examination and various other factors. Dogs rarely have temperature elevation beyond 41 deg C or 107 deg F. if the temperature rises beyond this, there can be a possibility of permanent damage to the brain, kidney and liver. Occasionally it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of fever. Cardiovascular collapse and shock can often occur when the temperature is very high.