My dog is sick, how can I help her?

Question

I have a one year old labrador, and she's got an alarmingly high temparature, we've seen the vet who gave her some tablets to take but how do I cool her down in the mean time?

She has seen the vet! What I mean is that I want to make her comfortable until the tablets start making a difference.

Answer 1

NO ASPIRIN!!! she's SICK - U don't want to make her even More Sick!

a damp rag wiped on her belly, where the hair is thin, will help; a cool damp rag on her head may help her feel a little better too. wring it out in cool water, lay it on her skull, and take it off to dip again when it gets warm.

medical alcohol dabbed on her PADS, the hard soles of her feet, will evaporate, and also help her cool.

make sure she stays HYDRATED - that's keep offering her fluids. Pedialyte is a safe alternative to plain water, but offer it BESIDE, not 'instead of' water.

take her temp every 30 mins or so;
if it's EVER more than 102.5, go to the vet's!!
at 104 degrees F, dogs can start to seizure; this is potentially FATAL, especially if she already has a fever. seizures interrupt blood circulation, and damage the brain; they can also injure the liver, kidneys, and heart.

if her temp is 102.2 during the day and into the evening, consider leaving her at the vet's for an overnight; having a pro monitor her will keep her safe.
FEVERS TEND TO RISE AFTER 10 PM - so if in doubt, the vet's is the safest place, and earlier is safer than a late-night emergency!!

the vet may need to put her on an IV overnight, to help her fluid level and keep her organs working.
and BTW: Dogs Do NOT Sweat!!, except on their feet: their pads sweat when they are freaking out, not to cool them down. that's what panting is for: cooling! :)

Answer 2

As was said in another persons answer keep an eye on your pups temperature but do not worry unduly,in humans a fever or high temp is the bodys way of preventing a virus etc from dividing
and therefore spreading,I would suggest revisiting your vet if condition worsens,you dont say what the pills were your vet gave you or what he suggested the problem might be.Hope dog feeling
better soon.

Answer 3

Well you can't cool her down coz if she's got a temperature and suddenly cools down she'll get even sicker so rather let the medication take its time and just give a comfy pillow to lie on and a hug evry once in a while.

Answer 4

Just let doggie sleep. Leave some cool water beside her bed and let the pills do their magic. She will be back to herself in an hour or so . Ive a 2 yr old lab and 2 7 month old border collie puppies and Im as neurotic as you but DONT WORRY! Time and sleep is what she needs.

Answer 5

Wet a large towel with cold water, wring it out and lay it over her, I do this for my golden retriever in the summer to cool her down, hope your baby is feeling much better soon, good luck.

Answer 6

Wet some towels then wrap them around your dog.

Dogs don't sweat, so this should help.

Alternatively, squeeze a wet sponge over her. Rub the water into the fur.

Overall, phone the vet back ANY TIME for advice if you are worried.

Answer 7

Cool,damp cloths to her groin area and under her legs-in the pit area. This will keep her comfortable and help bring the temperature down.

Answer 8

I think you can try damp, but not soaking wet, cloths laid on her the same as for humans - that may help. I have tried that on my cats and also horses and I believe it helped them when they have been ill. She should recover soon with the tablets, they do work quickly.

Answer 9

Just comfort her, give her plenty of cool water. She will need watching over so she does't go in to seizure. Wipe her down with a wet cloth. Do not feed her just in case it might upset her tummy.

Answer 10

Usually a baby aspirin but you need to ask your vet in case it can interact with whatever she gave her. Also, you may want to get a towel and put lots of ice in it and lay her down and put the towel with ice on her body.