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	Springer with High Temperature Q: To who it concerns, Last week my 1 yr old Springer Spaniel woke up feeling sorry for herself and had a temperature of 105 F although there were no other symptoms. After a few days of anti-inflammatories and antibiotics she was no better and admitted to be put on a drip and have a blood test. The test showed an increase in protein, white count and also a slight increase in liver enzymes but no indication of what was causing such a temperature. After a few days on a drip the temperature returned to normal. Although she seems fine I'm slightly concerned as to what can cause such a temperature so quickly and whether it will have any lasting effect such as on her liver as it had an increase in enzyme levels or as to whether it will happen again. all my vet said it could be was probably a bad infection but could not decide where it was or whether it was viral or bacterial or how she got it in the first place. can you shed any light on the small mystery? Thanks Leanne.

A: The type of scenario that you describe is not uncommon, and is generally referred to as pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO). There are many possible causes, and often in an individual case the cause is not found despite tests being done to try and find a cause. Certainly viral or bacterial infections can commonly cause PUO and would fit in with the findings in your dog. As she is so young, and bounced back to good health so quickly, hopefully you have nothing to worry about now. This sort of thing is unpredictable, so it is impossible to guarantee that she will not get ill again. The liver has a great capacity for regeneration, so liver enzymes being raised for a short time certainly don't mean that there has been any significant detrimental long term effect on the liver.You can basically treat your dog as normal now. If there is any recurrence of the symptoms in the future, more detailed investigations may need to be done. Jen Campbell MRCVS (Vet for PetPlanet)

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