Approach to Fever

Question 1

What is the main difference between hyperthermia and fever, physiology wise (not clinical signs wise)?

Answer 1

(Fever is an actual change in the temperature set point of the hypothalamus vs hyperthermia is a mismatch in heat loss/gain)

Question 2

How do the clinical signs of hyperthermia vs fever differ?

Answer 2

(Febrile patients will typically appear like they are trying to conserve heat even though they have a fever whereas hyperthermic patients will act hot because the body is telling them to cool down (panting, sweating, etc.))

Question 3

What are some causes for fevers?

Answer 3

(Infectious dzs, immune mediated dzs, neoplasia, and others such as trauma, idiopathic)

Question 4

You have a patient with fever and general malaise but no other signs of illness, what diagnostics might you pursue if the owner has the funds?

Answer 4

(You want to cast a wide net → CBC/chem, imaging, be prepared to go into specific testing based on those findings or lack of findings)

Question 5

When should you use an antipyretic in a febrile patient?

Answer 5

(If a non-infectious cause has been confirmed or is strongly suspected, if the patient is miserable, and if the fever is very high (dangerous range around 107 F); typically use NSAIDs, can use acetaminophen in dogs, can use steroids if immune mediated suspected and/or confirmed)

Question 6

(T/F) You should include active cooling in your treatment protocol for a hyperthermic patient.

Answer 6

(T, if this said “you should include active cooling in your treatment protocol for a FEBRILE patient, it would be F (unless its a neonate))

Question 7

(T/F) Fluids can and should be used to aid in treatment of a fever.

Answer 7

(T if they are dehydrated, hypovolemic, and/or anorexic but F if none of those things are true)