Dog Ears Hot: Is Your Pet Feverish?
1. Normal Heat Dissipation
If your dog's ears are simply warm to the touch and there are no other unusual behaviors or signs, it's likely that your furry friend is merely dissipating heat, which is a normal and natural process. This often occurs after a walk, exercise, or when your dog has just eaten. There's no need to worry in these cases. Once the excess heat is burned off, your dog will return to its usual, cool self.
2. Infection and Inflammation
Ear infections can also cause your dog's ears to feel warm. When you notice your dog's ears are hot, take a moment to inspect for redness, swelling, or pusfilled blisters. If any of these symptoms are present, it's important to take your dog to a veterinarian promptly. A vet can use a microscope to examine the ear infection's specific cause and symptoms, and then treat the ear inflammation accordingly.
3. Cold and Fever
Ear warmth in dogs can also be a sign of a cold or fever. Besides the warm ears, your dog might exhibit symptoms such as a dry nose, decreased appetite, lack of energy, and yellowish urine. If you suspect a cold or fever, gently wipe your dog's paw pads, belly, and ears with alcohol to help cool them down. If the fever persists, it's crucial to seek veterinary care for a possible injection to bring down the temperature.
4. Heatstroke
On a hot day, if you find your dog's ears are exceptionally hot, it might not just be due to normal heat dissipation. It could also indicate heatstroke. In such cases, quickly soak your dog with cool water and use alcohol to wipe down its body to lower its temperature. After immediate first aid, it's vital to rush your dog to the vet to prevent complications that could lead to shock.
We hope this information on whether a dog's warm ears mean it's feverish is helpful. Should you have any further questions, feel free to consult an online vet or continue reading with the article "Is My Dog's Hot Nose a Sign of Fever?" for more insights.
