The cause of the fever in the dog should be determined before treatment begins as the cause will dictate the treatment. Common causes of fever include infection, pain, seizure and heat stroke. The medications and treatments used to control a fever may be combined for maximum affect. Dogs with fevers should be closely monitored until the fever is completely resolved.
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Antibiotics
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One of the body's defenses against infection is to run a fever that will help destroy the bacteria. This makes a fever one of the best indicators that a serious infection is present. Typically, the higher the temperature of the dog, the worse the infection is. Antibiotics will help to reduce the fever by killing the bacteria. In severe cases of infection, the antibiotics can take several days to kill enough bacteria to reduce the fever. If the fever doesn't break immediately, it doesn't mean the medications are not working. The antibiotics should be given to completion to ensure all the bacteria are killed. Often other forms of fever reduction will be needed in the initial stage of treatment while the antibiotics are working.
Other Medications
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If the fever is induced from pain or infection, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID) are often used to lower the dog's temperature. Carprofen is a common NSAID used in dog and works on two levels. For dogs in pain, the use of NSAID not only will reduce the fever, it will lower the swelling around the painful area. Often swelling can lower blood flow to an area and slow healing, the NSAID will counteract this effect. In dogs with infections, the NSAID will offer fever relief while the antibiotics start controlling the infection.
Dogs that are seizuring often present with a high temperature stemming from the muscle spasms that occur. Controlling these tremors will stop the cause of the fever. For immediate control, Valium is administered, which sedates the over-excited brain. If the Valium is not quite enough to stop the tremors, a muscle relaxant such as methocarbamol can help. These should stop the tremoring, which is causing the fever.
Therapy
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A dog running a fever for any of the above reasons or from heat stroke can benefit tremendously from cold therapy. The idea is to cool the dog's skin to dissipate the heat. Continually hosing him down with cold water or placing ice packs on top of large veins can do this. The blood in the veins will cool and travel into the body, cooling it down. Continue to monitor his temperature while doing this so he doesn't get too cold.
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