Everything you need to know about a cat's normal, elevated and reduced body temperature. What to do when the temperature rises and falls. How to measure.
The normal body temperature of a cat is 37.5-39°C. In hairless breeds, this figure may be 0.5 degrees higher. A kitten's temperature varies from 38.5°C to 39.5°C; in newborns this figure reaches 40-40.5°C.
Important: each cat has its own normal temperature. The owner must know it in order to promptly notice a decrease or increase in this indicator.
Signs of a fever in cats
The danger of an increase in temperature is as follows: serious metabolic and water-salt imbalances occur in the pet’s body, the brain does not receive enough oxygen, blood circulation is impaired, the animal may become dehydrated and have convulsive seizures.
Therefore, it is so important to detect a rise in your pet’s temperature in time in order to provide him with help. The following symptoms indicate this:
- loss of appetite or complete refusal of food. Cats even refuse their favorite treats;
- tachycardia and rapid breathing;
- chills;
- vomiting or diarrhea;
- apathy and lethargy;
- the animal hides in secluded corners, refuses to play with the owner;
- dry and very hot nose. A cat's nose may only be warm and dry when it wakes up, but it quickly becomes cool and moist.
All these are indirect signs indicating a possible increase in temperature. Without a thermometer, you still won’t be able to determine whether your cat has a fever.
Temperature regulation mechanism
The thermoregulation center located in the hypothalamus (an area in the brain) is responsible for maintaining body temperature at a constant level. The temperature in the hypothalamus is determined by the so-called set point, and is perceived by the body as normal. The normal temperature for cats is 38-39 degrees. The hypothalamus compares its own temperature with information it receives from nerve receptors on the surface of the body. If it is the same, everything is fine. If the temperature from the surface of the body is higher than in the hypothalamus (for example, in hot weather), the thermoregulation center must lower it. To do this, mechanisms are used to increase the heat transfer of the body, and, accordingly, its cooling - the vessels approaching the skin expand, the blood cools faster. For a person, this would also manifest itself in increased sweating, but cats do not sweat, only some may have wet paw pads.
If the body surface temperature is lower than in the hypothalamus (respectively, in cold weather), the thermoregulation center increases it. In this case, a spasm (narrowing) of the superficial vessels occurs, the hair rises (a similar reflex remains in humans when the hairs on the skin stand on end from the cold), and the frequency of respiratory movements decreases. Cats take a position that allows them to minimize heat transfer (curl up into a ball).
Both processes described are natural, non-pathological, and occur when the ambient temperature changes. Changes are controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
For the body (and diagnostics), a pathological increase in temperature is of greatest importance.
How to measure a cat's temperature with a thermometer
Traditionally, for thermometry of cats, a mercury rectal thermometer is used, which is placed in the animal's anus for 3 minutes.
Cats do not like this procedure - it scares them and causes discomfort. Therefore, it should be carried out together with an assistant, carefully, strictly adhering to the following recommendations:
- Before starting measurements, the animal is calmed (you can give sedative drops) and properly fixed. Calm cats are pressed to the table at the withers, “rebels” are wrapped in a towel, leaving the tail unwound.
- The tip of the thermometer is thoroughly lubricated with rich cream (you can use baby cream), Vaseline or liquid lubricant. Lubrication significantly reduces the risk of cracks, abrasions, and tears.
- The lubricated tip of the thermometer is carefully inserted into the cat's rectum 2-2.5 cm. The thermometer should be at a right angle parallel to the animal's rectum - this will reduce pain and discomfort. You need to hold the thermometer for 3 minutes.
- After this, the thermometer is carefully removed and readings are taken. The tip of the thermometer is wiped with alcohol or any antiseptic.
Modern digital thermometers are a safer way to measure cats' body temperature. They are also placed in the animal’s anus, but are kept for about 5 seconds. It is recommended to use disposable sleeves with a digital thermometer. After the measurement, the disposable sleeve is removed and the thermometer is wiped with a clean cloth.
You can completely avoid unpleasant sensations if you use other instruments for measuring temperature:
- ear infrared thermometer;
- non-contact thermometer.
The first device measures the temperature in the ear canal. The measurement procedure lasts a few seconds, the animals do not experience discomfort. But, it must be taken into account that the error of such measurements is higher than that of rectal measurements. And if a cat has inflammation in the ears, then the thermometer readings will be 0.5°C higher than the actual ones.
A non-contact infrared thermometer is the most gentle method for measuring the temperature of cats. This newest invention by scientists does not cause any concern to pets. To take measurements with it, you just need to bring the device to the animal’s body and wait about 10 seconds. The measurement result is immediately displayed on the thermometer display. The error reaches 0.3°C.
Helminthiasis
Parasitic worms found in the body of humans, animals and plants cause diseases called helminthiasis. Human parasitic worms disrupt the functioning of internal organs and the entire body as a whole, causing poor absorption of nutrients, weakness and diseases of the host body. There are three groups of worms that are classified as helminths:
- Nematodes or roundworms (pinworms, roundworms, Trichinella, Filaria, Intestinal eel);
- Trematodes or flatworms (Opisthorchis, Chinese fluke, Paragonimus, Schistosomes);
- Cestodes or tapeworms (Bovine and pork tapeworms, broad tapeworms, echinococcus, alveococcus).
Helminths have a similar morphology and are multicellular organisms that are visible to the naked eye. In their life cycle, helminths necessarily go through a number of stages: egg, larva and adult. During their life cycle, some worms change hosts. Such helminths are called biohelminths. Geohelminths are parasitic worms that do not require a change of hosts, and their life cycle occurs in the body of a single host. NEMATODOSIS Ascariasis Etiology, pathogenesis .
The causative agent is roundworm, which parasitizes in the adult stage in the small intestine. The lifespan of roundworms is about a year. In the migratory stage (the first 6–8 weeks after infection), roundworm larvae have a mechanical and sensitizing effect, causing hemorrhages and eosinophilic infiltrates in the tissues of various organs. In the intestinal phase (8 weeks after infection), adult roundworms cause general toxicoallergic and neuroreflex reactions of the body and a variety of local mechanical effects.
Symptoms, course
. The migration phase often occurs under the guise of acute respiratory infections and bronchitis; volatile eosinophilic infiltrates in the lungs are possible. In the intestinal phase, a gastrointestinal form is distinguished (salivation, nausea, loss of appetite, cramping pain around the navel, sometimes disorders of stool and gastric secretion); hypotonic (decreased blood pressure, weakness) and neurological (dizziness, headache, fatigue, sleep disturbance, vegetative-vascular disorders) forms.
Complications
. Ascariasis intestinal obstruction, a characteristic feature of which is the release of roundworms with vomit and palpation of a moving “tumor” - a ball of helminths; ascariasis appendicitis; perforated peritonitis; ascariasis of the liver with the development of jaundice, purulent angiocholitis, liver abscess, subphrenic abscess; ascariasis of the pancreas with symptoms of acute pancreatitis; crawling of roundworms into the respiratory tract with the development of asphyxia.
Diagnostics.
The diagnosis of the early phase of ascariasis is based on the detection of nematode larvae in the sputum and antibodies in the blood, and the late intestinal phase - ascaris eggs in the feces.
Prevention
.
Mass examination of the population and treatment of all those infected with ascariasis. Protection of the soil of vegetable gardens, orchards, and berry fields from contamination with feces. Thorough washing and scalding of vegetables and fruits with boiling water. Personal hygiene measures .
Hookworm disease (hookworm and necatoriasis)
Etiology, pathogenesis.
The causative agents are hookworm and necator, parasitic in the small intestines of humans, most often in the duodenum. Infection occurs when the larvae actively penetrate the skin or when they are ingested with contaminated vegetables, fruits, or water. The larvae migrate through the systemic and pulmonary circulation, lasting 7–10 days. In the small intestine, the larvae turn into sexually mature individuals and after 4–6 weeks begin to lay eggs. The lifespan of hookworms ranges from several months to 20 years. During the migration period, the larvae cause toxic-allergic phenomena. Adult helminths are hematophagous. When fixed to the intestinal mucosa, they injure tissue, lead to the formation of hemorrhage, erosion, cause bleeding, anemia, support the state of allergies, gastrointestinal dyskinesia and dyspepsia.
Symptoms, course
. Soon after infection, skin itching and burning, urticarial rashes, asthmatic phenomena, fever, and eosinophilia occur. In the late stage, nausea, drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain, intestinal dysfunction (constipation or diarrhea), and bloating appear. Sometimes pseudoulcer syndrome occurs (hunger pain in the epigastric region, hidden bleeding). The development of hypochromic iron deficiency anemia is characteristic; its severity depends on the intensity of invasion, nutritional deficiency, and individual characteristics of the organism. With low intensity, the invasion can occur subclinically, manifesting itself as eoeinophilia.
Diagnostics
. The diagnosis is confirmed by the detection of eggs in the stool and occasionally in the duodenal contents.
Prevention
. In areas of hookworm infection, you should not walk barefoot or lie on the ground without bedding. It is necessary to thoroughly wash and scald fruits, vegetables, and berries with boiling water; before eating them, you should not drink unboiled water.
Strongyloidiasis
Etiology, pathogenesis.
The causative agent is the intestinal eel, parasitizing in the intestinal wall (mainly the duodenum), sometimes in the ducts of the liver and pancreas, and during the migration period - in the bronchi and lung tissue. The penetration of Strongyloides larvae into the human body can occur actively through the skin (when walking barefoot, etc.) and through the mouth (when eating contaminated fruits, vegetables, and also when drinking water). Adult parasites, localized in the intestinal wall, injure the intestinal crypts (Lieberkühn's glands), solitary follicles and contribute to ulceration of the mucous membrane, and the larvae, migrating, damage the tissue of the liver, lungs and other organs. Of great importance is the toxic-allergic effect of adult parasites and their larvae on the human body, as well as secondary infection.
Symptoms, course
. Signs of allergy often occur: skin itching, burning, urticaria, eosinophilia, sometimes “volatile infiltrates” in the lungs, etc. In the late stage, the symptoms of gastroduodenitis, enterocolitis, and sometimes cholecystitis predominate. The typical triad is chronic recurrent urticaria, persistent enterocolitis and long-term high eosinophilia. Dizziness, headache, insomnia, and increased excitability are common. Sometimes the disease manifests itself only as eosinophilia and skin itching. The course is long, many years (until specific treatment), since with this helminthiasis (especially with constipation), autoreinvasion is possible. There are indications of a connection between hyperinvasion and the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. In severe forms of the disease, ulcerative enterocolitis develops with dehydration, cachexia, anemia and death.
Diagnostics
. The diagnosis is based on clinical data and the detection of acne larvae in feces (when examined using the Berman method) and in duodenal contents, less often in sputum and urine.
Trichocephalosis
Etiology, pathogenesis.
The causative agent is the whipworm, which parasitizes the human colon. The lifespan of the parasite is about 5 years. Whipworms injure the intestinal mucosa, are hematophagous and promote inoculation of microflora, causing reflex reactions in other organs of the abdominal cavity. Their metabolic products sensitize the body.
Symptoms, course
. Worries include drooling, decreased (less often increased) appetite, pain in the right half of the abdomen and epigastrium, nausea, constipation or diarrhea. There may be inflammatory phenomena in the intestines. Headache, dizziness, restless sleep, irritability are often observed; moderate hypochromic anemia and slight leukocytosis are possible. With intense invasion in children, cases of rectal prolapse (due to persistent diarrhea), epileptiform seizures, and Meniere's syndrome have been described. At low intensity, whipworm infestation is asymptomatic.
Diagnostics.
The diagnosis is made when whipworm eggs are found in the stool.
Prevention
. Mass examination of the population and treatment of all infested forms. Protection of the soil of vegetable gardens, orchards, and berry fields from contamination with feces. Thorough washing and scalding of vegetables and fruits with boiling water. Personal hygiene measures.
Trichostrongylidosis
The causative agents are small helminths from the family Trichostrongylidae. The main source of invasion is sheep, goats, and cattle. A person becomes infected through contaminated food or water.
Symptoms, course
. Characterized by nausea, abdominal pain, unstable stools, dizziness, and headache. Sometimes hypochromic or normochromic anemia and loss of strength develop. The diagnosis is based on the detection of trichostrongylid eggs in the stool.
Prevention.
Compliance with personal hygiene measures.
Trichinosis (trichinosis)
Etiology, pathogenesis
. The causative agent is Trichinella. In the larval stage, it enters the human body with the meat of pigs or wild animals (boar, bear, badger, etc.). After digestion of meat, muscle Trichinella are released from capsules, penetrate into the villi tissue, quickly grow, develop, and already 80–90 hours after infection, females lay numerous larvae, which are spread throughout the body. The place of further development of young Trichinella are the striated muscles, especially the intercostal, masticatory, muscles of the diaphragm, tongue, pharynx, and eyes. Here, after 2–3 weeks, trichinella coil up, become encapsulated, and some of them become calcified. The duration of the intestinal stage of Trichinella is about 2 months. Muscular trichinella remain viable for up to 20 years or more. The breakdown and metabolic products of Trichinella sensitize the body, causing eosinophilia, capillaropathy, muscle infiltrates, edema and other painful phenomena. The mechanical effects of adult Trichinella in the intestines and their larvae in muscles and other tissues, as well as secondary infection, are important.
Symptoms, course
. The incubation period is from 3 to 45 days. Early symptoms are characteristic: facial puffiness, accompanied by conjunctivitis, fever, muscle pain, eosinophilia. Various skin rashes are common, as well as gastrointestinal disorders, hypotension, muffled heart sounds, palpitations, headache, and insomnia. In mild forms, only eyelid swelling and eosinophilia are noted. The duration of the disease is from 2–3 days to 8 weeks or more. Sometimes a recurrent course of trichinosis is observed. Complications: myocarditis, meningoencephalitis, thrombosis of arteries and veins, pneumonia, nephritis, etc.
Diagnostics.
The diagnosis is based on epidemiological (consumption of undercooked pork and other meat, group diseases), characteristic clinical data (eosinophilia, swelling of the eyelids, fever, muscle pain). Serological reactions with trichinosis antigen are used. Confirmation of the diagnosis can be the detection of Trichinella and characteristic infiltrates in biopsied pieces of muscle (trapezius, deltoid, gastrocnemius) or in the remains of meat that caused the disease. A biopsy is performed on the 9th–10th day of illness.
Prevention.
You should not eat raw or undercooked pork, as well as the meat of wild boar, bear, badger, etc.
TREMATODOSIS Clonorchiasis
Clonorchiasis is a helminthiasis of the liver and pancreas caused by the fluke fluke. It is found among the population living in the Amur basin. Pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis, treatment and prevention are the same as for opisthorchiasis.
Metagonimiasis
Metagonimiasis is a helminthiasis caused by a small trematode. The pathogen parasitizes in the small intestine of humans, dogs, cats, and pigs. Human infection occurs through consumption of raw fish. In the intestine, larvae hatch from the metacercariae of Metagonimus, which reach sexual maturity in the thickness of the mucous membrane after 2 weeks and emerge into the intestinal lumen. As a result of mechanical and toxicoallergic effects, enteritis develops.
Symptoms, course
. Abdominal pain, drooling, persistent diarrhea. Sometimes it occurs subclinically.
Diagnostics
. The diagnosis is based on the detection of Metagonimus eggs in the stool.
For prevention, see Diphyllobothriasis.
Nanophyetosis
Nanophyetosis is an intestinal helminthiasis that occurs among the population of the Far East. The causative agent is nanophyetus, which parasitizes the intestines of humans, dogs, cats, minks, and badgers. Infection occurs by eating raw fish. Helminths have a mechanical and toxic-allergic effect on intestinal tissue.
Symptoms, course.
Pain and rumbling in the abdomen, diarrhea, constipation, drooling and nausea at night.
Diagnostics
. Diagnosis is made based on the detection of nanophyetus eggs (resembling diphyllobothrid eggs) in the stool.
Treatment
. Male fern extract in a dose of 3–3.5 g.
Prevention
. You should not eat raw, uncooked or insufficiently salted and dried fish, as well as “live” pike caviar.
Opisthorchiasis
Etiology, pathogenesis
. The causative agent is the cat fluke, or Siberian fluke, which parasitizes the bile ducts of the liver, gallbladder and pancreatic ducts of humans, cats, dogs, etc. The parasite lives in the human body for 20–40 years. Infection occurs when eating raw (thawed, frozen), lightly salted and insufficiently fried carp fish (ide, chebak, dace, etc.). Opisthorchises injure the mucous membranes of the pancreatic and bile ducts, create obstacles to the outflow of bile, and contribute to the development of cystic enlargements and liver tumors. They have toxic and neuro-reflex effects. In the early stage, pronounced allergization of the body is observed (eosinophilic-leukemoid blood reactions).
Symptoms, course
. The incubation period is about 2 weeks. In the early period there may be fever, pain in muscles and joints, vomiting, diarrhea, pain and enlargement of the liver, less often the spleen, leukocytosis and high eosinophilia, allergic skin rashes. In the chronic stage, the most common complaints are pain in the epigastric region, right hypochondrium, radiating to the back and left hypochondrium. Sometimes there are attacks of pain such as gall bladder colic. Frequent dizziness and various dyspeptic symptoms. Muscle resistance in the right hypochondrium, liver enlargement, occasionally icteric sclera, enlarged gallbladder, and symptoms of pancreatitis are detected. Most often, with opisthorchiasis, the phenomena of angiocholitis, cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia, chronic hepatitis and pancreatitis develop, and less often - symptoms of gastroduodenitis and enterocolitis. In some cases, a picture of cholangitic cirrhosis of the liver occurs. Opisthorchiasis can be asymptomatic.
Diagnostics
. The diagnosis is based on the detection of helminth eggs in the stool and duodenal contents.
Prevention
. Explaining to the population the dangers of eating raw, thawed and frozen (stroganina), lightly salted and insufficiently fried fish.
Fascioliasis
Etiology, pathogenesis.
Pathogens: liver fluke and giant fluke. The main source of human invasion is various farm animals. Human infection usually occurs in the warm season when fasciola larvae are ingested in water, sorrel, lettuce and other greens. The lifespan of helminths in the body is about 10 years. Trauma and toxic-allergic damage to the hepatobiliary system are important. Fasciolae can be carried into other tissues and organs.
Symptoms, course
. The disease is characterized by eosinophilia, allergic phenomena, disorders of the liver and gall bladder, reminiscent of the symptoms of opisthorchiasis (jaundice and attacks of gall bladder colic are more common).
Diagnostics
. Diagnosis of the early stage of fascioliasis is difficult, since helminth eggs are released only 3–4 months after infection. Immunological methods are used. In the late stage, the diagnosis is based on the detection of fasciola eggs in the duodenal contents and feces.
Prevention
.
Prohibition of drinking water from stagnant bodies of water; Thoroughly washing and scalding the greens with boiling water. CESTODOSES Alveococcosis Etiology, pathogenesis.
The causative agent is the larval stage of alveococcus. Infection occurs after oncospheres enter the mouth after contact with contaminated skins of foxes, arctic foxes, dogs, with the water of stagnant reservoirs and by eating wild berries collected in endemic areas. Clusters of larvae (usually in the liver) infiltrate and grow into tissues, disrupt the blood supply to organs, cause tissue degeneration and atrophy, and have a toxic-allergenic effect.
Symptoms, course
. The disease develops slowly and remains asymptomatic for a long time. There is a progressive enlargement of the liver, heaviness and pressure appear in the right hypochondrium, and a dull aching pain. After a few years, the liver becomes lumpy and very dense. Jaundice may develop. The spleen often becomes enlarged. Possible ascites. When the nodes disintegrate, body temperature rises, sweating, leukocytosis, eosinophilia, and increased ESR are observed. Hyperproteinemia and hypergammaglobulinemia are characteristic. Necrotization and invasion into the inferior vena cava can lead to profuse bleeding. With metastases to the lungs, symptoms of pneumonia, bronchitis, and hemoptysis may occur. Brain metastases mimic the clinical picture of a brain tumor.
Diagnostics.
Diagnosis is based on clinical data. Serological tests with alveococcal antigen are performed. To clarify the localization, X-ray and ultrasound examination, liver scanning, peritoneoscopy, and computed tomography are used. Test puncture is strictly prohibited due to the risk of contamination of other organs. Differentiate from tumors, echinococcosis and cirrhosis of the liver.
Hymenolepiasis
Etiology, pathogenesis
. The causative agent is the dwarf tapeworm. Infection occurs through ingestion of parasite eggs that come into contact with the patient and with contaminated feces, household items (chamber pots, toilet seats, etc.) and restroom walls. The local effect of larvae and adult forms on the intestinal mucosa is expressed in the destruction of villi, proliferative inflammation (sometimes with ulceration) of the mucous membrane with copious secretion of mucus. Toxic-allergic effects are also observed.
Symptoms, course
. Decreased appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, headache, irritability, increased fatigue, restless sleep. Sometimes weight loss, moderate anemia, and eosinophilia are observed. Hymenolepidosis can be asymptomatic.
Diagnostics _
. The diagnosis is made based on the detection of dwarf tapeworm eggs in the feces.
Prevention
. Maintaining hygiene of the body, clothing, home, and public hygiene. Examination of all members of the patient’s family for helminths and simultaneous treatment of all infested ones.
Diphyllobothriasis
Etiology, pathogenesis
. The causative agent is the broad tapeworm. Its lifespan is tens of years. Human infection occurs when eating fresh, insufficiently salted caviar and raw fish (pike, perch, omul, grayling, etc.). The tapeworm, attaching to the intestinal mucosa with its bothria, injures it. Large accumulations of the parasite can clog the intestinal lumen. Helminth metabolic products sensitize the body. Absorption of vitamin B12 by the broad tapeworm directly from the digestive tract leads to hypovitaminosis B12 and the development of anemia.
Symptoms, course
. Characterized by nausea, unstable stools, and the release of fragments of strobili during defecation. Patients sometimes complain of weakness, dizziness, and abdominal pain. Occasionally, pernicious anemia develops, close to Addison-Birmer anemia.
Diagnostics
. The diagnosis is made by detecting tapeworm eggs and strobila fragments in the feces.
Prevention
. You should not eat raw, uncooked or insufficiently salted and dried fish, as well as “live” pike caviar.
Taeniasis
Etiology. The causative agent is the pork tapeworm, which can parasitize humans not only in the sexually mature stage, but also in the larval stage, causing the disease cysticercosis. The adult helminth parasitizes the small intestine for many years. Humans become infected with taeniasis by eating raw or half-raw meat containing taeniasis.
Symptoms, course.
The same as with teniarhynchosis, however, the segments of the parasite do not actively come out of the anus (occasionally, tender segments come out with feces, which the patient usually does not notice).
Diagnostics
. The diagnosis is made on the basis of repeated examination of stool for the presence of helminth segments and mucus from the perianal folds (by scraping) for the presence of tapeworm eggs.
Prevention.
You should not eat undercooked or undercooked pork.
How to determine a cat's body temperature without a thermometer
If your pet flatly resists measuring its temperature with a thermometer or you don’t have a thermometer at hand, you can turn to a long-known method - feel the cat’s nose.
The condition of the nose is an indicator of the health of many animals, cats are no exception. Normally it should be cool and moist. A hot and dry nose is a sure sign that the cat's temperature is elevated. You need to feel the nose of cats in a calm state. If the animal is passionate about active play, erroneous conclusions can be drawn.
Video on how to measure a cat's temperature
Causes
If you believe your cat has a fever (or, to use the medical term, hyperthermia), your veterinarian will determine whether further testing is needed to determine the cause. Knowing the animal's medical history will be very helpful here. If you must see a different healthcare provider than one who already knows your pet, be sure to provide documentation of your pet's medical history, especially a list of medications, as cats sometimes have poor reactions to certain medications.
Just like in humans, there are many possible causes of fever in cats. The most common is a bacterial infection. Other likely causes are problems with the immune system or inflammation, exposure to toxins, a disorder or some kind of disease. It may be that the cause of your cat's fever cannot be determined, in which case you and your veterinarian can discuss next steps.
First aid at home before the doctor arrives
Until the doctor comes, you can alleviate your pet’s condition using the following measures:
- Calm and caress the cat, give it a light massage.
- Provide access to clean, fresh water. High temperature is a cause of dehydration. If your pet refuses to drink, force it to drink. A kitten's temperature can cause weakness, in which it will not be able to drink on its own - feed it with a syringe without a needle, often in small portions.
- Wrap the cat in a towel soaked in cold water and wrung out thoroughly.
- Apply ice wrapped in a towel to your inner thighs.
- Wrap your paws in gauze soaked in vodka.
- Place the pet's bed in a cooler place. Ventilate the room in which the animal is located.
Only after examining the animal can you give medications as prescribed by the doctor.
What help to provide
A common mistake is to give a cat antipyretics intended for humans. Under no circumstances should you do this! Before giving medicine to an animal, you should at least call your veterinarian and ask his advice.
You can try to alleviate your cat's condition using the following measures:
- ensure the room is ventilated;
- apply ice wrapped in a cloth or a damp towel to the groin to reduce the temperature a little;
- Place more water next to her bed.
If time passes and the condition does not improve, contact your veterinarian. If this cannot be done right away, then you need to:
- wipe the cat’s paws with a damp cloth once every half hour (but do not wet the fur!);
- if your pet has diarrhea or vomiting, he needs Regidron solution, replacing solid food with broth and more water.
Antipyretic for cats
If our advice did not help you, and you do not know how to lower your cat’s temperature before the veterinarian arrives, call the doctor, maybe he will allow you to use antipyretics before his visit. The main rule is to never give human medications to cats.
A cat's temperature can be reduced with the following medications:
- Tsefekon - candles.
- Papaverine and diphenhydramine - injections.
- Echinacea – tincture.
- Meloxicam - tablets.
All these drugs, as well as others, can be given only on the recommendations of the treating specialist.
Is it necessary to bring down the high temperature?
If the values are critical, before the veterinarian arrives (when calling at home), you can try to reduce the temperature:
- give plenty of fluids;
- moisten the wool with cool water;
- Place a damp cloth or some ice in the groin folds.
You should not give your cat antipyretic drugs intended for humans (Aspirin, etc.). They can aggravate the animal's condition and lead to its death. The pet should be treated in accordance with the recommendations of a specialist.
What to do if your cat has a low temperature
Hypothermia (low temperature) is no less dangerous for cats than fever.
A decrease in temperature is a signal of pathologies and problems in the cat’s body. The reasons for the sharp decrease may be such serious reasons: hypothermia, internal bleeding. Failure of the endocrine system, as well as diseases of the genitourinary system, can also manifest themselves as a low body temperature of the animal.
The critical temperature is 36.2-36.5°, it is life-threatening for cats.
This condition can develop after prolonged antibiotic therapy, severe dehydration of the body, as a consequence of toxic-infectious shock. If the temperature stays below 36.5 for more than two days, the animal may die. Therefore, it is so important to immediately take your pet to the clinic for intensive care.
First aid for low temperature:
- The cat needs to be warmed up. You can do this by covering it with heating pads filled with warm water.
- Wrap the animal in a warm blanket or blanket.
- Rub the animal's paws.
- Give warm drinks. If the cat refuses, you cannot force-feed it.
- Take your pet to a veterinarian to determine a diagnosis and prescribe a treatment regimen.
If a drop in temperature occurs in very elderly cats, it may be a symptom of impending death. You should consult a veterinarian so that he can suggest a course of further behavior with a dying animal.
Should you see a doctor?
If the temperature is caused not by illness, but by other factors, then it goes away quickly. Accordingly, if there is no improvement, then you need to go to the veterinarian. Sometimes the cat has to be left under the supervision of doctors if the situation is especially difficult: it requires medication and constant care.
Even if the fever has passed, but there are reasons to worry, it is worth taking the animal to the veterinarian. Preventing the development of complications is much better than encountering them later.
If, apart from an elevated temperature, no alarming symptoms are observed, it is enough to measure it every few hours to make sure that it does not increase further. If it rises, then decreases, then rises again by whole degrees - you should go to the doctor as soon as possible. High temperature within certain limits is not dangerous in itself; it only indicates that the body is resisting something. But dehydration or convulsions resulting from it can be dangerous.
If you treat your cat carefully, measure the temperature every time there are alarming symptoms, and take action quickly if necessary, then illnesses usually go away easier and faster.
