Allergies in Dogs Symptoms | Dog Fever (Dog Pyrexia)

Allergies and Dog Fever

The current medical view regarding allergies and dog fever (dog pyrexia) is that:

“Allergies do not cause a fever per se but related factors, such as secondary infections that develop from allergy symptoms e.g. post nasal drip and congestion, are the cause of a fever.”
(See: allergic to dogs symptoms for in depth discussion of allergies and fever)

Therefore, if a dog develops a fever as a consequence of allergy symptom complications:

• What temperature constitutes a fever?
• What are the signs and symptoms one should be aware of?
• Can they be treated at home or should one seek professional advice and assistance?

Dog Fever Temperature

How to tell if a dog as a fever:

Temperature	Color Code	Fever	Action
38.3 – 39.2 °C (101 – 102.5 °F) akc.org		No fever Normal temperature range	None
>39.5 °C (103 °F)		Mild-Moderate fever	Calling veterinarian is advisable. Monitor dog carefully. Home care may be applicable.
>40 °C (>104 °F)		Moderate-Serious fever	Call veterinarian; Professional assessment and treatment likely.
>40.5 °C (>105 °F)		Serious-Emergency fever	Call veterinarian; Professional assessment and treatment required.
>41 °C (>106 °F)		Emergency and life-threatening fever	Professional assessment and treatment required immediately.

Note:

• Figures quoted above vary depending on one’s source of data, the location on the body where the measurements are taken e.g. ear, mouth, armpit or rectum, and other factors such as time of day.
  °C figures are rounded to nearest tenth of a degree.
• Dog temperatures are not the same as for humans – they tend to be higher.
  Human temperature ranges can be found in Allergic to Dogs Symptoms | Congestion Complications – Fever, Warning Signs, Polyps.
• Even borderline fevers should be monitored carefully and regarded with caution. Fever temperatures can spike suddenly and depending on the underlying cause and condition of the animal, they can become an emergency situation rapidly. Therefore, always err on the side of caution and consult a veterinarian for professional advice.

Dog Fever Symptoms

The symptoms of a dog suffering from a fever can include:

• Eyes – glazed or reddened.
• Gastrointestinal – diarrhea; vomiting.
• Mouth – gums (reddened or swollen); excessive drooling.
• Nasal – dry, hot nose; sneezing.
• Respiratory – coughing; excessive panting; unusual breathing patterns e.g. labored; increased rate of respiration.

Additional possible dog fever symptoms:

• Discharge from eyes, nose or ears.
• Excessive thirst; tendency to dehydrate.
• Elevated heart rate.
  Pulses naturally vary between 50 – 130 beats per minute depending on breed, size and age of dog.
• Fainting.
• Loss of weight or appetite.
• Mood and personality changes including agitation; depression; irritability; lethargy; likely to snap; whimpering.
• Shivering.
• Shock.
• Weakness – unable to rise from bed; tendency to slump when being lifted.

Note:

• Though symptoms are a useful indicator, accurate rectal temperature readings are the most precise way to ascertain whether a dog has a fever. They should be taken using a digital thermometer and always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for correct usage.
• Fevers can be caused by a variety of conditions unrelated to allergy complications and microbial-related secondary infections e.g. certain cancers, disorders (endocrine, nutritional/metabolic, immune-mediated), various medications, heat stroke and toxicity. Diagnosis of the underlying cause will require the dog having a physical examination by a veterinarian followed by various laboratory diagnostic tests and scans.

Dog Fever Treatment

Given the number of potential variables associated with fevers (e.g. type of infection, underlying cause of infection, health of dog etc.), best practice advice would always be to call a veterinarian should a dog develop one. If the animal has a history of fevers that have been previously monitored by a vet, home observation/treatment by the owner may be sufficient unless the temperature reaches a level considered a cause for concern e.g. >40 °C (>104 °F). Remember though, that any owner who chooses to go it alone without expert appraisal is in effect taking a ‘shot in the dark’ concerning the best interests of the dog. Natural treatments may suffice for low grade fevers but unless the underlying cause is determined, both the physical and emotional well-being of the dog becomes a lottery.

Aside from any medication a vet may prescribe to reduce the temperature, counteract inflammation and treat possible secondary infections, the following points should be considered:

• Applying a cool compress to the abdomen and armpits may prove beneficial and comforting to the dog.
• Hydration is a very important aspect, so if the dog is becoming dehydrated the veterinarian may decide to place the animal on an intravenous drip supplying an electrolyte solution. However, if the dog is able to be at home, keep encouraging it to drink fresh, cool water; sometimes getting the animal to suck drips from an ice cube may prove beneficial. Avoid feeding any cool, clear soups unless recommended by the vet e.g. if the dog has an allergy to certain food proteins you may make the condition worse.
• Placing a dog in a bath of cool water to lower the temperature may prove useful but does come with risks. It should only be carried out following advice from, or being supervised by, a professional as the dog may become very stressed or possibly go into shock and suddenly deteriorate.

Furthermore, always seek the advice of a vet before giving a dog:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) fever medications designed for humans. Depending on the cause of the fever, the way they are absorbed/metabolized and whether the animal has any pre-existing medical conditions, OTC medications may be harmful or toxic to the dog. Moreover, some medications have a very low margin of safety, meaning that a small miscalculation in dosage can prove fatal. Therefore, despite what you may have come across on the internet about “It’s fine just to give them one of your own tablets”, the reality is that the money saved by not seeking professional advice may be of little comfort if you end up losing your beloved dog.
• Natural and homeopathic remedies for a fever. Although a treatment may be advocated for humans, it certainly does not mean the same ‘natural’ ingredients are automatically safe for a dog to consume. The use of Echinacea and Sage tinctures, Belladona 30C and Ferrum Phosphoricum 30C are sometimes recommended for dog fevers where the dosage is based on the weight of the animal. However, given that a fever may be indicative of a variety of serious and life-threatening conditions, self-administered treatment of this type without having consulted a vet first would not be recommended.