Fever
- Thread starter Ripster
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Chewy's Mom
Boxer Insane
Assuming that she does have a fever, wouldn't you want to find out WHY so that you can treat the actual problem and not the symptom? My understanding is that the purpose of a fever is to kill off whatever infection/bacteria/virus is infiltrating the body. The high temperature is supposed to kill off that enemy. If you lower the temperature, you're helping the enemy - unless, of course, the fever is so high that it becomes a problem itself. Maybe somebody knows if this is accurate. JulieM?
JulieM
Boxer Insane
That's about right. I'm not sure if the fever kills off the pathogens so much as it just doesn't allow them to flourish, but the idea is basically the same. Low-grade fevers should be watched, and immune support should be given. Juliette recommends fasting for as long as the temperature remains above 102.6 degrees, or at the most giving honey-water or fresh grape, apple or pomegranite juice. (Fasting allows the body to use its resources toward fighting the illness, instead of toward digestion.) Knowing the reason for the fever is also important, especially if it becomes high (above 103.5) or if it lingers for several days.
Most dogs with a fever will seek out cool places - tile floors, for example - to help lower it themselves. (Or, warm places, if the fever is one that gives them the chills.) They also often pant for no reason, and the insides of their ears are hot and red.
Most dogs with a fever will seek out cool places - tile floors, for example - to help lower it themselves. (Or, warm places, if the fever is one that gives them the chills.) They also often pant for no reason, and the insides of their ears are hot and red.
JulieM, I'm curious about the suggestion of fresh grape juice. We just had a local puppy in intensive care with double kidney failure. It was a complete mystery as to what was causing it -- the breeder took a wild guess based on the owner telling her she was training with fruits and veggies and it turned out to be GRAPES.
I had read on the showboxer list that grapes in quantity can lead to kidney problems (some version of insulin shock, I think). So had the breeder. The vets were amazed, but talked to the owner and found that for the past three days she had been using grapes as training rewards. In a 12 week old pup, just a few days worth of sessions were enough to cause massive kidney failure.
I imagine, based on this, that fresh grape juice would be equally harmful (especially if there was already an infection present) but I don't know. ??
The pup in question has made a full recovery (as far as we can tell), but it was the first case of grape poisoning that the vets had seen in person, even though they too had vaguely heard of its being possible.
I had read on the showboxer list that grapes in quantity can lead to kidney problems (some version of insulin shock, I think). So had the breeder. The vets were amazed, but talked to the owner and found that for the past three days she had been using grapes as training rewards. In a 12 week old pup, just a few days worth of sessions were enough to cause massive kidney failure.
I imagine, based on this, that fresh grape juice would be equally harmful (especially if there was already an infection present) but I don't know. ??
The pup in question has made a full recovery (as far as we can tell), but it was the first case of grape poisoning that the vets had seen in person, even though they too had vaguely heard of its being possible.
JulieM
Boxer Insane
I've also read that it is excessive amounts that cause problems, between 0.41 and 1.1 oz/kg of body weight.
The ASPCA NAPCC's position is that the exact role between the two is "unclear." I have read, although I can't remember where now, and tend to agree, that the issue is likely the pesticides used on the grapes causing the problem, and not the grapes themselves. Since it was Juliette made the suggestion for grape juice, I'd imagine it really was referring to organic grapes :p so the pesticides would not be an issue.
Your point is well-taken, though, and if someone does give grape juice they might want to water it down or mix/alternate with the other juices. (Myself, I can't imagine ever taking the time to squeeze enough grapes to get even a small amount of juice!
)
The ASPCA NAPCC's position is that the exact role between the two is "unclear." I have read, although I can't remember where now, and tend to agree, that the issue is likely the pesticides used on the grapes causing the problem, and not the grapes themselves. Since it was Juliette made the suggestion for grape juice, I'd imagine it really was referring to organic grapes :p so the pesticides would not be an issue.
Your point is well-taken, though, and if someone does give grape juice they might want to water it down or mix/alternate with the other juices. (Myself, I can't imagine ever taking the time to squeeze enough grapes to get even a small amount of juice!
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