German Shepherds may be tough, but no dog is immune to getting sick, and when yours does, you’ll often find him looking mopey or sad.
That’s why GSD owners often wonder whether something can be done to comfort them.
Luckily, it can, and it’s not too different from what you’d do for yourself if you were stuck with a high fever.
Naturally, one of the most effective methods is to simply be calm about it, radiate that serene energy and your pooch will feel more at ease.
But what else can be done? Let’s find out.
1. Get Him To A Vet
The first and most important thing that you can do to ease your dog’s worries is to take him to a vet.
That way, you won’t need to second guess what the cause of the fever is and you’ll be more effectively able to treat the issue which, in turn, will make him better faster.
It’s the one thing you’re going to end up doing anyway, and the vet is qualified to properly diagnose the root cause of the issue while the best we as owners can do is randomly guess.
You’ll also be able to get him proper medication and other forms of treatment that are more effective than some universal home remedies would otherwise be.
2. Cool Your German Shepherd Down
One of these universal remedies is to find a way to help cool your Sheppie’s body down.
The best way to go about it is to soak some pads or a cloth in water and place them on your dog’s paws and around his ears.
Those are usually the main areas where body heat accumulates and will be the most effective in helping tone his temperature down a bit.
A bath can work too, but remember to use warm water and to dry him properly so you don’t end up worsening the fever symptoms on accident instead.
3. Make Sure He Gets His Nutrition
The old saying says to feed a cold and starve a fever, but that couldn’t be further from the truth as your dog’s body needs nutrients to help bolster his immune system.
That’s why you should always try to keep him topped up, especially with water to help make the fever period more tolerable for him.
Sure, sometimes he’ll lose his appetite as one of the symptoms, but you’ll need to try and find a way around it if possible.
4. Be There For Him
The final tip is to show your German Shepherd some compassion. GSDs may be the poster boys for gruff and tough dogs, but they too love being cared for, as does any living thing.
They’re not too different from other dogs after all.
Regardless, simply being there for him, petting him and pampering him a bit more than usual will make him feel more at ease and will make the symptoms of the fever more bearable.
Show him that he can rely on you and you’ll see just how calm and relaxed he’s going to get.
What Are Some Of The More Common Causes Of Fever In German Shepherds?
There’s plenty of stuff. Fever is a pretty universal sign of infections, environmental exposure, allergic reactions and some more serious problems.
The most common ones include:
- Poisoning
- Wound, tooth, internal infection
- UTIs
- Tick and flea bites
- Allergic reactions
- Recent vaccinations
- Parasites
Of course, there are others, but these are some of the more prevalent ones that you’ll encounter.
What’s The Standard Canine Body Temperature?
It usually hovers around 100 to 102 °F which may seem like a lot, but dog’s have a higher average body temperature than us humans do.
However, if it goes any higher than that, then your German Shepherd has more than likely contracted a fever and needs to have it treated.
Are Fevers Dangerous?
Not usually. It depends on how high the temperature gets, but most of the time it’s just your dog’s immune system’s natural reaction to a foreign body that needs to be purged.
Though, that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be lowered, especially if the temp starts inching closer to 106 °F as that can cause some permanent damage to his body.
What Are The Most Common Signs Of A Fever In Dogs?
Once again, a lot of the fever signs are similar to what you’d expect to see in a human being, just translated to your precious pooch.
The most common ones are:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Lack Of energy
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Chills and shivering
- A stuffy or runny nose
- A dry nose
- Warm ears
Do note that not all of the symptoms will be present every time, but if you see a combination of these, then your pooch has most certainly gotten himself a fever.
In Conclusion
A sick German Shepherd is nothing to sneeze at, especially if he has a fever.
Sure, fevers are a common reaction of our body to infections, but they themselves can be harmful if allowed to go unchecked.
The most important thing that you can do for your pooch in this situation is to remain calm and be there for him.
Your Sheppie needs a stoic and caring figure that he can turn to in his time of need.
Other than that, it’s important to get him to a vet as soon as you can, especially if the fever is particularly high.
The sooner you get him there, the sooner the veterinarian can diagnose the issue and prescribe the proper treatment to help rid the pooch of the problem at hand.
Follow what he says carefully, keep your doggo well hydrated and fed if possible, and keep him cooled down and he should be as fit as a fiddle in no time at all.
Essentially, do what your parents would normally do for you and he’ll be just fine.
I have absolutely no doubts that you’ll perform admirably.
Until next time, pet parents.
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