Defination :
A fever is a symptom of any disease. It denotes the condition of disturbed metabolism and indicates complex functional disturbances. It is usually accompanied by elevated temperature, i.e. pyrexia and functional disturbances. The functions of the organs become irregular.
It is to be noted that fever may occur without pyrexia. The body temperature may be elevated without fever known as hyperthermia, e.g., heat-stroke, effect of certain drugs, confined to a closed room or truck during transportation. The subnormal temperature of the body is known as Hypothermia as it occurs in shock, collapse, starvation, anaemia, etc.
There are three stages of a fever (1) cold or shivering, (2) hot and (3) sweating. In 1st stage, there is a rising temperature, feeling of cold and rigors. In 2nd stage, ther is maximum temperature alnd feeling of heat. In 3rd stage, there is sweating and fall of temperature. When the temperature falls in a few hours, it is known as crysis and if the temperature takes several days to fall, it is known as lysis.
Causes:
The chief causes are bacteria, virus, protozoa, toxin, etc.
Symptoms:
Rise of temperature with chill and shivering in the beginning, feeling of heat in the maximum temperaure, and sweating at fall of temperature. Rumination suspended, off feed, dullness, dropping ears, dryness of muzzle, thirsty, increased pulse and respiration, erected hairs, scanty urine with yellowish colour and presence of albumin, acetone, etc in the urine. |