Dog's Ears Hot: Possible Fever or What?

Section 1: Is Your Dog's Ear Warmth a Sign of Fever?

While a warm ear in a dog can be a sign of fever, it's not always indicative of an illness. Dogs naturally have ears that are slightly warmer than the rest of their body, especially right after they've woken up. Generally, a dog's ears are warm, but they should return to normal after a bit of activity. However, if your dog has been active for a while and its ears remain hot, it might indeed be suffering from a fever. You can take its temperature to confirm. If the reading exceeds 39 degrees Celsius, your dog is likely feverish. It's advisable to take it to a veterinary clinic promptly, where it can receive a feverreducing injection. The vet will also determine the underlying cause and treat the primary illness.

Additionally, a warm ear can be a result of inflammation inside the ear canal, possibly due to ear mites or bacterial infections, which can cause a localized increase in temperature. If your dog frequently scratches or shakes its head, check for redness, discharge, odor, or excessive secretions inside its ears. If the condition appears severe, it's best to have the ears cleaned by a vet and then treated with antibacterial ear drops daily.

Lastly, stress, fear, or high environmental temperatures can also cause a dog's ears to feel warm. If the warmth is a brief, transient occurrence lasting only a few minutes, it's usually nothing to worry about and can be monitored closely.

Section 2: How to Measure Your Dog's Temperature

Measuring your dog's temperature is straightforward and can be done with a standard thermometer. Begin by flicking the mercury to the lowest mark on the thermometer and then wiping it down with an alcohol swab to sanitize it. Next, gently lift your dog's tail and insert the thermometer about onethird of its length into the rectum, ensuring you hold your dog still to prevent movement. Wait for three minutes before removing the thermometer to read the temperature, and then clean it thoroughly.

Remember to distract your dog with treats and maintain a firm but gentle grip to avoid breaking the thermometer. If the thermometer breaks inside your dog, seek medical attention immediately.

For more information on why a dog's ears might feel warm and other related queries, feel free to consult an online veterinary expert at any time.