Health & WellbeingI just adopted a dog five days ago. He started sneezing 3-4 days ago with a runny nose. Today he looks like he's not feeling well. My girlfriend and I just took his temperature rectally and it was 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Is this grounds for getting h
Hello there! I do recommend that you bring Finn to a vet as soon as you can. While his symptoms may be caused by a simple viral upper respiratory infection (which is common for dogs coming from shelters or group rescues), viral infections can cause secondary bacterial infections, and I worry that his elevated temperature may be caused by this. He may require antibiotics, and potentially some fluids to prevent dehydration from the fever. Untreated bacterial infections in the upper respiratory tract can cause pneumonia, which can be very serious. A visit to the vet can prevent this with the correct treatment. At the vet, they will listen to his heart and lungs, and potentially recommend a chest x-ray if anything sounds suspicious. Hopefully a round of antibiotics is all he needs, but it's best to get him to the vet soon so that he can start feeling better. If he becomes very lethargic or appears to have trouble breathing, please bring him to an emergency hospital right away. Good luck, a
Updated on August 12th, 2025
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