Does Your Pet Really Have A Fever?

Pyrexia, better known as a fever, is defined as the state in which your pet's body temperature is higher than the normal range. A fever in itself is not a specific illness. A fever is a symptom of illness. Think of it as one piece of the puzzle, and you and your veterinarian work together to collect the other pieces of the puzzle to determine what is causing your pet's fever. Find out how to assess your dog or cat's body temperature so that you know when to contact your veterinarian.

Signs that Accompany a Fever

If your dog or cat has contracted an illness, his body responds by elevating his temperature in order to slow the multiplication of invading viruses and bacteria. This fever is often accompanied by additional signs that you can visually observe in your pet, including the following:

• Decreases in appetite and water intake
• Increase in respiratory rate
• Lethargy and sluggish behavior

Any of these observed symptoms should raise a red flag and prompt further investigation. First, you need to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for an examination. Numerous conditions can present with these signs, with or without a fever. The next logical step that you can take while you await your pet's schedule appointment time is to determine if he has a fever.

The Nose Is Not Talking

The notion that a warm and dry nose signals a fever in dogs and cats is an old myth. The only thing that a nose tells you is where it has just been. If your dog has been taking a long winter's nap in a heated home, his nose will likely be dry. If he just finished bellying up to the water bowl for a drink of cool water, his nose will undoubtedly be cool and wet. If your cat just finished her morning toilette of washing her face, her saliva has dampened her nose. When it comes to your pet's core body temperature, the nose will not divulge any answers.

The Paws and Ears Are Not Speaking Up Either

While feeling your cat's or dog's outer ear can help to reveal if his body temperature is up, it is not an accurate indicator of a fever. The same is true about his paws. If he just strutted across your ceramic tile floor, those tootsies are going to feel chilly. If he awakened from a morning snooze in his favorite confined nook or cozy bed, his ears and his paws will probably feel a bit toasty. To verify whether the feel of your dog or cat is the presentation of a fever or a confession of where your pet has been, you will need to take his temperature with a rectal thermometer for an accurate temperature reading.

Thermometers Tell the Truth

The normal body temperature range for your furry friends, canine and feline, is 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the normal human body temperature range is lower, this is why your pet may always feel warm to your touch, even when he is perfectly healthy. He is naturally warmer than you. If your pet's temperature exceeds his normal range, he should be seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible. If the temperature reading is 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, do not wait for your scheduled appointment time. This reading is considered hyperthermia and is an emergency situation that requires immediate veterinary intervention.

Once your veterinarian is presented with your observations and a properly obtained temperature, he or she will have a starting point from which to proceed in determining the cause of your pet's fever. Be prepared for your veterinarian to take your dog or cat's temperature in the examination room. It's not because he or she doesn't believe you. It is necessary to determine whether or not the temperature is continuing to creep higher. Treatment for your pet will include immediate steps toward reducing the fever as well as treating the underlying cause once a diagnosis has been made.

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