What it is
Part of the immune system works like a smoke alarm, setting off fever and inflammation when it senses danger. In this disorder the alarm is set too sensitively and goes off without a real threat, so the body suddenly heats up and inflammation flares in the joints or around the muzzle. A bout lasts from a day to a few days and then settles.
The tendency is inherited and linked to the genes behind thick, heavily folded skin. Bouts can begin in puppyhood or later in life, and stress or another illness can sometimes set one off.
Each bout leaves inflammatory proteins behind, and over the years they can be laid down as amyloid in the kidneys or liver, quietly harming them. That is why it helps to write down every bout, with its date and how long it lasted, and to keep up regular vet check-ups even between bouts, when your dog seems perfectly well.
Signs you may notice
- Sudden fever and listlessness
- Refuses food
- Swollen, painful hocks
- Swollen muzzle
- Stiff or reluctant to move
The dog suddenly becomes listless, does not want to eat or move and feels hot, and its joints, especially the hocks, may swell and hurt. Some dogs also get a swollen muzzle.
When to see a vet
Contact a vet whenever your dog has a fever bout, especially the first one or one that seems different from earlier bouts, and keep up regular check-ups so changes in the kidneys are noticed in time.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.