Fever – if your pet has one do this
Being sick is NOT fun… and I can personally attest to that 🙁
Night sweats… .no energy… . sore throat…
When your dog or cat has a fever, they are experiencing much the same thing we do.
Unfortunately there are very few safe options that we can give our pets to help lower a fever, except CBD (Cannabidiol). And earlier animal research has hinted that fever triggered by a virus could be treated using CBD.
Dr. Jones’ Ultimate CBD for Dogs and Cats is a Full Spectrum CBD supplement in 100% Organic Cold Pressed Hemp Oil.
Fever in Dogs and Cats
SIGNS
Signs and symptoms of fever in dogs and cats include the primary one of having and above normal body temperature. Your pet may have a decreased appetite and lower energy. Your dog or cat’s ears can be hot to the touch and they may pant excessively in the house. Some pets will shiver, others can have an elevated heart rate. All much the same signs that people have with a fever.
CAUSES
A fever is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Having a high temperature makes it more difficult for bugs to grow in the body. The problem with a fever in pets is that they will often stop drinking; dehydration then becomes the primary concern. A normal dog’s temperature is 101 degrees F (38 C); a normal cat’s temperature is 102 degrees F (38.5 C). Taking your pet’s temperature involves placing a thermometer in the rectum. If the temperature is103.5 F (39.5 C) or higher, your pet has a fever.
A fever is a response to something going on in your pet’s body. The most common cause, I find, is bite wounds. Search your dog or cat well for punctures.
SOLUTIONS
WHAT’S THE TEMP? Firstly start with the obvious, and take their temperature, determining if it is elevated. If the temperature is 103.5 F (39.5 C) or more, then they have a fever. If a fever persists for more than 24 hours, and your pet is not drinking, then call your veterinarian. If they are still drinking, or in the interim before going to your veterinarian, here are some additional remedies and supportive care that you can consider
KEEP HYDRATED. Offer plenty of fresh water in different spots around the house. If your pet refuses to drink, use an eyedropper or turkey baster to squirt water into the side of its mouth. Minerals become depleted when your pet is dehydrated; for an added boost, add Pedialyte, an electrolyte solution available from the pharmacy. Some pets prefer chicken or beef broth, or tuna juice; give them whatever works.
CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN. If a fever persists for more than twenty-four hours and your pet is not drinking, call your vet.
COOL COMPRESS. If your pet will tolerate it, apply a cold cloth to the belly. The exposed skin will result in some fairly rapid cooling, making your cat or dog feel a little better.
THE MEDICINE CABINET. Aspirin can be safely used in dogs to bring down a fever; NEVER use it in cats. The aspirin dose is one 325 mg tablet per forty pounds of body weight given every twelve hours.
HERBAL:
ECHINACEA, MYRRH, and SAGE. These are all excellent antimicrobial herbs. You can give a combined herbal formula of one drop per pound twice daily of the tincture. Another option is to use commercially prepared products such as Echinamide. The dose is 0.1 ml per ten pounds every eight hours.
ELDERBERRY and HONEY. This can be very effective for viral infections, as well as bacterial (the honey is a great anti-bacterial). I would suggest the concentrated elderberry powder, mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of honey/ 20lbs twice a day.
OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT. This can be an effective antibacterial , and antiviral treatment. Natural Anti-bacterial. An important olive leaf benefit is its ability to fight off infections, including candida infections, meningitis, pneumonia, chronic fatigue, hepatitis B, malaria, gonorrhea, shingles and tuberculosis. It also naturally treats ear, dental and urinary tract infections.
And a 2017 study found that olive leaf extract works as an antimicrobial agent that controls foodborne pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella.
Dog and Cat Doses. Dose range of 1mg-5 mg/lb twice daily. Start at the lower end, and up, assuming no vomiting/diarrhea.
I would consider using this on my dog/cat with a skin, bladder infection, or even kennel cough.
When my wife and son were both sick coughing, they were taking my ‘NEW’ antiviral, anti cough concoction of…
Elderberry concentrate (2000mg)
Licorice Root tincture (2ml)
Olive Leaf extract (500mg)
1 tablespoon of honey
HOMEOPATHIC:
FERRUM PHOS. For a dog or cat with fever, but no other serious recorded symptoms. The dose is 30C every four hours for two to three days.
HEPAR SULPH (hepar sulphuris calcareum). Give one 30C tablet every six hours for three days.
ARNICA. Useful in fighting the aches and pains that go along with fever; give one 30C tablet per forty pounds of body weight every four to six hours.
CANNABIDIOL (CBD). Research suggests that CBD may be used to treat fever caused by pathogens. CBD dose of 3mg/10lbs once to twice daily
Best Wishes,
Dr Andrew
P.S. I’m feeling better now, but it wasn’t the most pleasant weekend :-(I was especially happy to have my faithful companion Tula who was at my feet… on the couch… on the bed… . watching endless hours of Netflix 🙂
P.P.S. It’s a great idea to have something on hand in case your dog/cat gets a fever- especially CBD as it comes with few to no side effects.
PLUS with cats this is the ONLY really safe and effective OTC treatment for Fever, as the can NEVER be given Aspirin, and I personally would be very cautious with giving any veterinary anti-inflammatory (ie Metacam).
Thank you for this information. My cat has gingivitis and recently developed what I assume is cat flu. He was given a long acting antibiotic and anti inflammatory injection to help prior. His immune system must be very poor as he then began to get leaking eyes, congested nose, sneezing a few days later. I am reluctant to have his teeth pulled, but it seems the only solutions vets give. I have tried home remedies and paediatric otrivin but it’s three days later and he still seems congested. We can’t get CBD oil in Namibia. I crushed some multi vitamin tabs and gave it to him in a syringe with water. He will be 13 years old soon. Kind Regards Sigi
Hi there, we do have a video for you for your Gingivitis concern:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkefF4DukX8
For Cat flu:
SIGNS
The most obvious sign is a cat with a runny nose, often accompanied by swollen and runny eyes. Most cats will also be sneezing.
CAUSES
Two feline viruses are responsible for most cases of cat flu. Some cats can be infected as kittens and constantly harbor the virus, making them prone to repeated infections. In most cases, the virus will run its course in 7-10 days, so supportive care is needed.
SOLUTIONS
KEEP HER EATING. One of the best ways to help your cat’s immune system is by ensuring adequate food intake. Warm up her favorite canned food, or add a small amount (1/8 teaspoon) of garlic. If her regular food is not appetizing, then switch to canned tuna.
ORDER UP FLORIDA. Humidity is fabulous for easing congestion and improving breathing. Use a humidifier or put your cat in the bathroom and turn up the shower.
WIPE AWAY. Use a damp cloth to wipe crusted discharge around the nose and eyes.
OPEN THE AIRWAYS. For some cats with severe nasal congestion I have used Pediatric Otrivin. Use one drop in each nostril 3 times daily for 3-5 days.
AMINO ACID LYSINE. L-lysine has proven antiviral activity, and is a mainstay in treating and curing cats with recurrent Herpes Virus respiratory infections. It comes as a Veterinary paste, (Enisyl). The dose is 1 ml (250 mg) twice daily for at least 12 weeks.
SUPPLEMENTS. Vitamin C has antiviral activity. The feline dose is 250 mg daily. If this causes diarrhea, then lower the dose.
ACUPRESSURE:
For Immune Stimulation.
LI4. Medial metacarpus (between wrist and paw).
LI11. Lateral, and cranial to the elbow (point between humerus and radius).
ST36. Lateral knee.
GV14, C7 – T1. At base of the neck.
HERBAL:
Boosting the immune system is what is most important in recovering from the flu.
ECHINACEA. The most important herb, the cat dose is 1-2 drops per pound 3 times daily (of alcohol -free tincture). Give for no longer than 2 weeks.
LEMON BALM. Has been shown to have antiviral activity. Give 500 mg twice daily.
HOMEOPATHIC:
Several alternative veterinarians have had success using homeopathy in feline respiratory infections.
ALLIUM CEPA. Useful for watery nasal discharge causing sneezing; give one 30C twice daily for 5-7 days.
EUPHRASIA OFFICINALIS. Also effective for symptom relief; give one 30C twice daily for 5-7 days.
NUX VOMICA. Use this if the disease has vomiting /nausea as part of the symptoms. The typical dose is 30C twice daily.
PULSATILLA. Primarily for Urinary Tract Infections, but also for immunosuppression. Dose 30C every 4-6 hours for 2-3 days.
ARSENICUM. Often helpful with asthma, a primary cause of coughing in cats. Give Arsenicum 6C every 2-3 hours in a severe relapse then the 30C dose once a week.
PREVENTIVE. If your cat is outdoors and exposed to other cats, ensure that he is vaccinated with the two flu viruses. These vaccines only need to be given every 3 years once your cat is an adult.