Fever is defined as a body temperature above the range that is considered normal for a healthy animal. Time and experience have shown us what these ranges are and we know that fever is one of the body’s signs that it is dealing with an infection. It is important for dog caregivers to be able to recognize signs that their dog might have a fever and be an infection, so that they know when to seek help from their veterinarian.
1. Lethargy
Animals whose bodies are actively fighting infection feel tired. All of their reserve energy is allocated to the fight. Their bodies are using up energy and resources for the battle they are waging, so they often do not feel like engaging in their usual activities. Lethargic animals might be seen lying around or they might not be seen much at all because they have found a cool place to rest out of sight. If you think that your dog is lethargic, especially if he has any specific signs of disease, like vomiting, cough, sneezing, or nasal discharge, he might have a fever and need a trip to the vet.