Cat Fever: How to Measure Your Cats Temperature and What to Do When Its High or Low

Cat Fever: How to Measure Your Cat's Temperature and What to Do When It's High or Low

As a cat owner, have you ever been worried about your cat's health? When your cat exhibits some unusual symptoms, are you able to identify them in time and take the right steps?

Today, we're going to talk about cat fever, a problem that has plagued many cat owners. What are the symptoms of cat fever? How do you measure your cat's temperature? And how do you deal with it?

What is the Normal Body Temperature of a Cat?

The normal body temperature of a cat is generally between 37.5℃ and 39.2℃. When your cat's temperature exceeds 39.2℃, it means that your cat has a fever. Although fever is a way for your cat to fight off disease, if the temperature is too high, it can damage your cat's body and even threaten its life. Therefore, it is very important to seek veterinary attention promptly when you find your cat has a fever.

Reasons for Cat Fever

There are many reasons for cat fever, including:

Infection: Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can cause cat fever, such as feline distemper, feline rhinotracheitis, etc.
Drug or toxin-induced: Some drugs or toxins can also cause cat fever, such as ingestion of poisonous plants or chemicals.
Endocrine diseases: Diseases such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes can also cause cat fever.
Immune-mediated diseases: Diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and vasculitis can also cause cat fever.
Tumors: Some tumors can also cause cat fever.

Symptoms of Cat Fever

When a cat has a fever, it may exhibit the following symptoms:

Depression: The cat will appear listless and lackluster.
Loss of appetite: The cat will not want to eat, and may even refuse food.
Dehydration: The cat may lose water due to fever and experience symptoms such as thirst and reduced urination.
Increased respiratory rate: The cat may breathe faster due to fever.
Lethargy: The cat may appear drowsy and uninterested in its surroundings.
Increased body temperature: This is the most obvious symptom of a cat fever.

How to Measure Your Cat's Temperature?

You can use a rectal thermometer or an ear thermometer to measure your cat's temperature.

Rectal Thermometer Measurement Method:

1. Preparation: Prepare a rectal thermometer and disinfect it with an alcohol swab.
2. Secure the cat: Ask someone to help you hold the cat, ensuring that the cat's hind legs are supported.
3. Insert the rectal thermometer: Apply lubricant to the tip of the rectal thermometer and gently insert it into your cat's anus, but do not insert it too deeply, as this may cause injury.
4. Read the temperature: When the rectal thermometer beeps, remove it and read the temperature.
5. Disinfection: Disinfect the rectal thermometer with an alcohol swab.

Ear Thermometer Measurement Method:

1. Preparation: Prepare an ear thermometer.
2. Measure the temperature: Hold the ear thermometer at a 90° angle and measure the temperature of your cat's external ear canal. When the device beeps, read the temperature.

Treatment for Cat Fever

When you find your cat has a fever, it is recommended that you consult a veterinarian as soon as possible and follow the veterinarian's advice for treatment. The following are some common treatment methods:

Cooling down: You can use some physical cooling methods, such as wiping your cat's body with a damp towel, giving your cat cool water, etc.
Replenishing fluids: Cats are prone to dehydration when they have a fever, and need to replenish fluids in a timely manner. You can give your cat some electrolyte solution or chicken soup.
Medication: The veterinarian will choose the right medication for your cat based on its specific condition.
Isolation: If your cat has a contagious disease, it needs to be isolated to prevent it from spreading to other cats or people.

Hypothermia in Cats

In addition to fever, cats may also experience hypothermia. Common causes of hypothermia in cats include:

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures: Such as staying in a cold environment for a long time.
Newborn kittens: Newborn kittens have poor temperature regulation abilities and are prone to hypothermia.
Kittens or senior cats: Kittens or senior cats also have weaker temperature regulation abilities and are prone to hypothermia.
Anesthesia: When cats are under anesthesia, their temperature regulation abilities decrease.

Symptoms of Hypothermia in Cats

When a cat has hypothermia, it may exhibit the following symptoms:

Weakness: The cat will appear weak and unable to stand firmly.
Shivering: The cat will shiver constantly, trying to raise its body temperature.
Shallow breathing: The cat's breathing will become shallow and may even experience difficulty breathing.
Coma: In severe cases, the cat may become comatose or even go into shock.

Treatment for Hypothermia in Cats

When you find your cat has hypothermia, you need to seek veterinary attention immediately. The veterinarian will take some measures to raise your cat's body temperature based on its specific condition, such as:

Keep warm: Place the cat in a warm place and wrap it in a blanket.
Replenish fluids: Give the cat some warm water or electrolyte solution.
Medication: The veterinarian may give the cat some medication depending on the situation, such as glucose.

Summary of Cat Body Temperature Variations

A cat's body temperature is a sensitive indicator of its health. When you find your cat's body temperature is abnormal, you need to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible and follow the veterinarian's advice for treatment.

Experience Sharing

As a veteran cat owner, I would like to share some experience about cat body temperature:

Regularly measuring your cat's body temperature can help you understand your cat's health and detect problems early.
When you find your cat exhibiting unusual symptoms, consult a veterinarian promptly and do not administer medication on your own.
When a cat has a fever, you need to replenish fluids in a timely manner to prevent dehydration.
Pay attention to your cat's warmth and prevent hypothermia.

I hope this content helps you better understand cat fever and hypothermia and enables you to take better care of your beloved cat.

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