How to Treat a Pet's Fever

Treat your pet's fever.

When your pet's appetite wanes and he mopes around, he may have a fever. Viruses and other temporary conditions can cause your furry friend's temperature to rise and although it is probably not serious, there are things you can do to help take ease the discomfort until he is back to his normal exuberant ways.

Instructions

1. Take your pet's temperature by inserting a thermometer about 1 inch into his rectum. This isn't always a fun procedure for your pet, so use some petroleum jelly to make it more comfortable. Recruit help if need be and use soothing tones. Normal body temperature for a dog or a cat is between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees. At 103 degrees, your pet is running a fever.

2. Call your veterinarian if you have any doubts that your pet is just exhibiting a fever from a virus. It is better to be safe than sorry and your vet will ask you if other symptoms are present. Any temperature over 103 degrees is cause to call immediately.

3. Cool your sick friend by wrapping him in a damp towel that has been soaked in cool water and wrung out. Alternately, use a washcloth dampened with a little rubbing alcohol on his tummy to reduce his fever.

4. Turn down the heat. Or turn up the air conditioner. Cooling the room your pet is resting in will help him fight his fever. However, it's not advisable to put your pet outside when he's sick. He needs to be inside and secure so he can rest.

5. Give him some water. A fever can cause your pet to dehydrate just as it does a human. Provide him with a bowl of fresh cool water at all times and encourage him to drink.

6. Put him on ice. Offer your pet some ice shavings to suck on to reduce his fever. Even a pet that will not drink water will often eat some ice from his owner's hand. It will cool and help hydrate him.

Tips & Warnings

• Call your veterinarian if your pet's fever lasts longer than 36 hours or if he has other symptoms.

• Never give aspirin to a cat. Your veterinarian may suggest a minimal dosage for your dog, but aspirin can be fatal if ingested by a cat.

Resources

• The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health: The complete pet health resource for your dog, cat, horse or other pets - in everyday language. (Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health (Home Edition)
• The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats: Over 1,000 Solutions to Your Pet's Problems - From Top Vets, Trainers, Breeders, and Other Animal Experts
• Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook