What happens if a Golden Retriever’s temperature gets too high?
Expert Answer
A Golden Retriever’s high temperature can come from infection, inflammation, metabolic issues, tumors, or viruses. Under sustained fever the body’s metabolism speeds up and oxygen use rises, straining the heart, liver, and kidneys and possibly damaging organs and nerves. Fever also loses water and electrolytes through sweat and breath; without replacement this causes dehydration, imbalance, irregular heartbeat, and cramps. Uncontrolled high fever may lead to multiple organ failure, shock, or even death.
A fever in a Golden isn't just "hot," it's the body under load, and my boy crashed once from an untreated infection that spiked his temp. Sustained high fever stresses the heart, liver, and kidneys and dehydrates fast. I'd get a vet to find the cause, not just cool him down, because the underlying infection is the real problem. If he's lethargic, not drinking, or trembling with heat, that's urgent.