Fever: A Natural Defense Mechanism for humans and animals.

Understanding fever and not making these mistakes can add years to your dog’s life! 

Fever In the human body

Fever is a common and normal response of the body to infection or inflammation. It is often associated with feelings of discomfort and fatigue and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as chills, body aches, and a general feeling of illness. While it can be unpleasant to experience a fever, it is important to understand that fever is actually a good thing, as it is a natural and necessary part of the body’s defense mechanism against invading organisms.

When the body is invaded by a foreign substance, such as a virus or bacteria, the immune system goes to work to fight off the invader. One of the ways it does this is by raising the body’s temperature. This may seem counterintuitive, as most people associate fever with feeling cold and shivering. However, the body’s temperature is actually controlled by the hypothalamus, a small region of the brain that acts as the body’s thermostat. When the hypothalamus senses that the body is under attack, it raises the body’s temperature in an effort to kill off the invading organisms and speed up the healing process.

While a fever can be uncomfortable, it is generally not a cause for concern and is usually a sign that the body is working to fight off an infection or illness. Most fevers are relatively mild, with a body temperature ranging from about 100.4 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if a fever is very high or lasts for a prolonged period of time, it is important to see a doctor to determine the cause and determine if any treatment is needed.

In conclusion, fever is a natural and necessary part of the human body’s defense mechanism against infection and inflammation. While it can be uncomfortable to experience, it is generally not a cause for concern and is a sign that the body is working to fight off an illness. If you are experiencing a fever that is very high or that lasts for a prolonged period of time, it is important to see a doctor to determine the cause and determine if any treatment is needed.

Is fever the same for dogs? 

Yes, fever is also a common and normal response in dogs when they are sick or have an infection. Just like in humans, fever in dogs is caused by the immune system’s response to an invading substance, such as a virus or bacteria. When the body is under attack, the hypothalamus ( yes, dogs and cats have this too) raises the body’s temperature in an effort to kill off the invading organisms and speed up the healing process.

What are some of the things that can trigger a fever in dogs and cats?

There are many different things that can trigger a fever in dogs, including:

1. Infection: One of the most common causes of fever in dogs is an infection, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
2. Inflammation: Fever can also be caused by inflammation, which can be caused by a variety of factors, such as injury, allergies, or autoimmune diseases.
3. Immunizations: Some dogs may develop a fever after receiving certain vaccinations. This is usually a normal and temporary reaction to the vaccine.
4. Cancer: In rare cases, fever can be a sign of cancer in dogs.
5. Other factors: Other things that can trigger a fever in dogs include heat stroke, dehydration, and certain medications.

It is important to monitor your dog’s temperature and other symptoms to determine the cause of the fever and determine if any treatment is needed. If your dog is experiencing a fever that is very high, above 106F (41C), or a fever that lasts for a prolonged period of time, it is important to see a veterinarian to determine the cause and determine if any treatment is needed. Normal temperature for a dog range from 101-102.5. When the temp rises above 103F (39C), your dog has a fever. 

How can we lower the fever naturally in dogs?

There are several ways to lower a fever naturally in dogs:

1. Offer plenty of fluids: Encourage your dog to drink water and offer other fluids, such as broth or electrolyte solutions, to help replace fluids lost due to fever and panting.
2. Keep your dog or cat comfortable: Keep your dog in a cool, comfortable place and use fans or air conditioning to help lower their body temperature. You can also wet their ears and paws with cool water to help bring their temperature down.
3. Use natural fever reducers: There are several natural fever reducers that may help lower a fever in dogs, including:
4. Colloidal silver is my favorite remedy for fever caused by bacteria, viruses, or infections. I found it to be better than antibiotics since most bacteria and viruses seem to be unable to build resistance toward silver nanoparticles. 
5. Apple cider vinegar: Add a small amount of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s water to help lower their body temperature.

It is important to consult with a veterinarian before giving your dog any natural fever reducers, as some remedies may not be safe for all dogs.

Now the real purpose of this article!

What I’m trying to convey with this article is that fever is a part of the healing process and, in most cases, should be allowed to run out its time. Fever help kills pathogens, so using drugs to reduce the fever may work against the healing process, it may actually extend it and, in some cases, make it worse after getting off the antibiotics or other medications used to lower the fever. The main reason for this is that antibiotics can cause the immune system to become weaker. 

Why is that, you may ask?

Antibiotics can negatively affect the immune system by disrupting the balance of good bacteria in the gut. The gut microbiome, which is the collection of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract, plays a crucial role in the development and function of the immune system. Antibiotics can kill off not only the bacteria that are causing an infection but also the beneficial bacteria that live in the gut. This can lead to changes in the gut microbiome, including an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, which can weaken the immune system and make a dog more susceptible to infections. Additionally, overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, making it more difficult to treat bacterial infections in the future.

Another thing that adds to many pet owners’ concerns is that most dogs will stop eating, which is also a part of the healing process. The reason animals and humans lose appetite when we get sick is for the body to conserve energy. It takes a lot of energy to fight off an infection, and the body knows it needs extra resources in order to do that. That’s why when we have a fever, our appetite decreases because the body needs its resources for more important matters.

I consult many clients in my practice with dogs experiencing infections and inflammations. When dogs respond to these with a fever and loss of appetite, many get understandable very concerned and seek veterinary help. 

I must be cautious here because there are incidents where seeking immediate help from your vet is warranted. But, in most cases, this, in my opinion, and it is based on my experience, often happens too quickly. 

What do I mean by that? 

Here is a common scenario: Your dog has a slight fever and no appetite. This is most likely a reaction to a bacterial or viral attack on the body, and the body is responding with a fever which is mother nature at work. As I have mentioned several times, this is a natural immune response, a reaction to pathogens invading the body. This should be allowed to play itself out. I understand it is not easy to see your animal suffer, and we instinctively want to do something. We also have to understand that the animal is not really suffering as being in being in pain. The body wants to rest and use all its resources for healing. Monitoring the fever and making sure it is not too high (above 106F) is how you help your dog through this. Rest is healing.

What will most pet owners do? 

Again, the below is from my experience with hundreds of clients with dogs that have a compromised immune systems and dealing with chronic diseases and cancer. There is a common path to these conditions. 

It often starts like this…

When a dog experience fever, the owners take their pet to the vet, where they, in almost every case, will be put on antibiotics or prednisone. These will give some relief, but they also come with side effects. The worst part is these drugs compromise the immune system, and that opens the door for other potential health issues. To address those, more medication is added. This is obviously not a good thing for the immune system and could be the start of a vicious circle that is hard to break. If it drags on for years, the outcome is often some type of chronic disease, one being cancer. I know it’s a terrible thing to say, but I have seen this path too many times not to share it. 

Millions of dogs end up on drugs when they, in many cases, could have healed themselves naturally. I have seen this too many times. If you go to my Instagram page @longlivigpets you will see over 400 cases where a dog or cat healed itself just by changing their food. 

In my opinion, food is the biggest cause of health issues in pets today.

Here is why. 

All species have a preferred (what their digestive system is designed for) diet that will ensure strong immune systems. When we change this diet, we change the whole balance of the animal, it is no longer able to stay in homeostasis. It will constantly try to achieve balance by searching for nutrients to restore homeostasis. 

In a dog’s or cat’s case, the so-called “dog/cat food,” which is highly processed, is not species-appropriate and will prevent the animal from staying in balance. 

Dogs and cats belong to the carnivore family, and their digestive system is designed for a raw food diet. Feeding this diet to a dog or cat provides the nutrients they need to achieve homeostasis. If you are uncertain about dogs being carnivores, I have an article here

In this stage, when your pet experiences a fever, it will handle that in a “healthy and natural way” with a low fever for a day or two. 

To sum it up. 

Fever is healthy in most cases. When the immune system is strong, the fever stays low and ends quickly. This will be achieved by feeding a species-appropriate diet. 

Need help?

If you have issues with your pet that you cannot resolve, please contact me for a consultation. Although I can’t guarantee the results, I have had great success with helping dogs heal themselves from a variety of issues using natural modalities. 

Need help with your pet?

Do you have health issues that you cannot resolve with conventional therapies? Are you looking for a natural approach to help your pet live a long healthy life?

This is possible, and what I do. My approach is to restore the immune system in dogs and cats so they can achieve homeostasis. That is the best protection against pathogens that can lead to diseases.