High Fever of Chinese Shar-Pei
A high fever can be an emergency situation. There are many reasons for a fever, the most common being the onset of a bacterial or viral infection and, as we have discussed, FSF. Fever is not a disease but a signal by the body that something is wrong. You need to know how wrong! Always keep a rectal thermometer nearby and before using, rub petroleum jelly on the end of the thermometer. If the dog is very sick and lying down, gently rub her head and soothe her while inserting the thermometer into the rectum about two inches. Continue to talk to your dog, leaving the thermometer in the rectum for approximately one and a half to two minutes. If the dog is ambulatory, I like to hold the dog between my legs, lift her tail and insert the thermometer. I can still rub her head and soothe her this way.
How much fever is too much? A normal range for a dog’s temperature is between 100.5F to 101.5F, with a .5F leeway in either direction. If I suspect a fever, I take my dog’s temperature, and if it is nearing 102F, I become suspicious because I know that it should be closer to 101F. I will be taking that dog’s temperature again within an hour, and if it passes 102F, the dog will get a coated aspirin (uncoated aspirin sometimes upsets the stomach). If it rises to 104F, the vet gets a call; past 105F, worry sets in; and past 106F, it’s panic time, get the dog to an emergency clinic. I know that high fevers can cause convulsions, hyperthermia and death. In addition to the aspirin, I use cold cloths on the head, belly and legs and have even put a dog in the bathtub to bring a fever down. In the case of a high fever, however, get your dog to a vet where the proper medication can be given to reduce the fever and a diagnosis can be made.