Body temperature is an indicator of health, for human as well as for cats. Thus, in the event of fever in cats, it is necessary to know the ways of reducing it.
When you notice a discomfort with your cat, the first thing to suspect is the presence of fever. If fever can have several possible causes, the rise of body temperature in your cat must quickly be taken care of, using some easy tricks.
How to know if my cat has a fever?
Take your cat’s temperature
If you suspect your cat to have a fever, it is necessary to take her temperature using a rectal thermometer with flexible end, similar to that used for infants. Note that the normal body temperature of the cat is between 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38 °C and 39 °C) approximately. If her temperature is beyond this, her fever should be treated quickly. Attention, however, not to confuse fever and heatstroke related to the ambient temperature, particularly in summer. Fever is generally significant when the body temperature of your cat exceeds 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.5 °C), even more if you observe associated signs.
Other signs of potential fever
If the taking the temperature is the ultimate proof to observe a confirmed fever, other clinical signs can already alert you. Among the clinical and behavioral signs generally associated with a probable fever, we can observe:
- A paleness of the gums
- A fast breathing
- Signs of an infection: diarrhea, cough, sneezes, etc
- A refusal to eat, even to drink
- A lethargic behavior
- An isolation
Causes of fever in cats
To reduce the body temperature of your cat, it is important to know the causes. In the event of persistence of this fever, you can already question yourself as for the reasons, before consulting your veterinarian, rather quickly however. The fever can be thus related to a bacterial or viral infection, to an inflammation, even to a more serious pathology (cancer, disease of the immune system, renal infection, etc).
How to drop a fever in cats?
To try to reduce the fever, put initially your cat in a cool room, try to lower her heat with a fan or even of the pockets of ice. Hydrate her as much as possible, with the assistance of a syringe (without the needle of course!) if necessary. You can also give a vitamin supplement, of vitamin B type or Nutri-Gel Plus, in order to reinforce the immune system of your cat for a more effective fight against the fever.
Resort to drugs only after the opinion and prescription of your veterinarian and, above all, do not give your own drugs which are unsuited for animals!
What medication to use in case fever in cats?
In order to deal with the fever of your cat, the use of medication should be done only after consultation with your veterinarian. Indeed, the prescribed drugs will counter the identified cause of the rise of temperature. Self medication in the event of fever of your cat is dangerous, as it can be for humans, because it can involve secondary reactions, for example if you use antipyretic not adapted, like paracetamol which is mortal for cats.
