How to know if a cat has a fever

Owners can avoid any of the possible causes of hyper- or hypothermia by caring for their pets properly. And the reason to go to the vet is equally as low or high temperature. Especially in a small kitten.

How to determine whether the cat has a fever

Contributor(s): Brian Bourquin, DVM. Brian Bourquin, better known as "Dr. B" among his clients, is a veterinarian and owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, which has locations in the South End/Bay Village and Brookline, Massachusetts. The clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including preventive care, disease management, emergency care, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry. It also provides services in behavioral correction, nutrition, alternative pain therapy using acupuncture, and laser therapy. Boston Veterinary Clinic is accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Hospitals (AAHA) and is the first clinic in Boston to be Fear Free ("Stress Free Veterinary Medicine") certified. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University.

Cats, like humans, often have a fever when they are sick. Unfortunately, the methods used for humans are not suitable for cats. For example, touching your pet's forehead will not tell you what their temperature is. The only reliable way to accurately determine a cat's body temperature is to place a thermometer into its ear canal or rectum. Naturally, the animal will object to such a procedure and you will have to force it. However, there are certain symptoms that indicate a high fever. These will tell you whether or not you should take the cat's temperature, keeping the forced measures to a minimum. And then, if the temperature exceeds 39.44 degrees Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit), you should see your veterinarian.

Symptoms that indicate a high fever

Look closely for changes in behavior. If a normally playful, active, and friendly cat is trying to be secluded, this may be a sign of illness. A sick animal often tends to hide under the bed, couch, table and other places where it will be difficult to find. Cats are cautious creatures, remaining cautious even during fun games. Once sick, your pet will feel vulnerable and want to hide in a hiding place. [1] X Source of Information

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How to take a cat's temperature

Since a cat's body temperature fluctuates depending on the time of day, regime, and other nuances, you can't just take it and measure it. You will have to pencil in all aspects, and choose a time when the data are most likely to match the norm. Ideally, it should be in the middle of the day, 1.5 hours before or after meals and sleep or active play.

The pet should have a personal thermometer. Classic mercury or electronic (rectal is preferred). The second option is more compact, reliable and safe. So you should prefer it, or non-contact instruments. The advantage of non-intrusive instruments is that the animal does not feel discomfort. However, experts note that such thermometers have an acceptable measurement error of an average of 0.5°С.

For people the mistake of non-contact thermometers is not critical. But for cats, the change of temperature for 1 – 2 divisions can be fatal. So using a remote version is possible only if you are absolutely sure of the accuracy of the device.

In the rectum

Most often the body temperature of cats is measured rectally. The sequence of actions is as follows:

• Murzik is soothed, placed on a flat surface (such as a table);
• then fix manually, pressing the animal by the withers with one hand to the table, or wrap it with a towel;
• The tip of the thermometer disinfected with alcohol is smeared with vaseline or fatty cream (alternatively, butter);
• the device is inserted into the rectum at 2 cm at a right angle;
• Mercury thermometer held for 5 – 7 minutes, electronic – according to the instructions;

It is desirable to refuse from the mercury variant, as the rare cat will patiently wait for the allotted time. And attempts to hold it will risk damaging the bulb with all the ensuing consequences.

Signs of high or low temperature in a cat

Both hyper- and hypothermia have a negative effect on the condition of murziks. А A temperature change of 2 to 3 degrees often means death. Therefore, the observation of responsible people who know the signs of thermal imbalance can literally save an animal's life.

Note: a change of 2 – 3 units is fatal for a kitten.

A decrease to 36.7 – 37.7 degrees is also possible before birth or after anesthesia. If this is not your case, you need to call a doctor.

Instructions: How to take a cat's temperature rectally

It is better if the pet has its own thermometer: it is unhygienic to use one device for both humans and animals. Mercury thermometer measures more accurately, electronic – faster. What to choose is up to you.

Before measuring grease the tip of the thermometer with vaseline. Then with smooth and careful twisting movements insert it into the rectum (in other words – into the ass) for about 2.5 cm. The mercury thermometer will show the result in a few minutes, the electronic one – after a special signal.

Don't forget to pity the pet at the end of this not very pleasant procedure, to pet him, to encourage him with a yummy treat.

High or low temperature: symptoms, causes, recommendations

To understand that the furry has a high fever, you can tell by such symptoms as lethargy, rapid pulse, hot and dry nose, strong thirst.

• Bacterial or viral diseases (underlying cause)
• Worms or parasites (release toxins into the body of the four-legged man, with which the immune system fights by increasing the temperature; by the way, worms usually cause high temperatures in kittens, as their body due to their young age is less strong)
• Poisoning
• Taking certain medications

A slight increase in temperature may be caused by physical activity (such as active play), pregnancy, or even the process of eating.

If you notice a fever in your pet, don't panic, but don't ignore it either. For a kitten, a temperature rise of even two degrees can be fatal.

Symptoms of a low temperature include – Shivering (may give the impression that the animal is frozen), lethargy and apathy, the desire to get into a warmer place, a cold stomach, poor appetite, infrequent breathing.

• Overcooling (by the way, kittens and older cats have a much higher risk of overcooling than adult fluffers)
• Kidney or liver disease
• Starvation, exhaustion (of course, we're not talking about a one-time case of forgetting to feed the cat, but about constantly being in bad conditions)
• Bleeding
• Heart and vascular problems
• Viruses
• Diseases of the nervous system
• Oncological diseases

How to measure a cat's body temperature

Contributor(s): Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with more than 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and treating companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked in the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

There are a number of situations where you need to take your cat's body temperature. In such a case, it is important to know how you can properly and accurately check this indicator at home. While cats are experts at hiding their problems, there are a number of symptoms that can be used to guess that the animal is not feeling well, such as loss of appetite, lethargy or vomiting. A good knowledge of the cat's personality and his natural behavior should make it easy for you to spot any suspicious anomalies. That said, the only accurate way to check a sick pet's temperature is to use a thermometer. Once you have an accurate temperature, you can discuss your cat's health with your veterinarian.

Measuring temperature with a rectal thermometer

• Digital thermometers allow you to take a temperature measurement in less time, making the procedure less uncomfortable for your pet.
• Mercury thermometers are made of glass. You will have to take quite a few precautions in order for you to successfully take a temperature measurement from a bursting pet.
• Regardless of the type of thermometer you choose, you should be sure to label it as a special cat thermometer so that no one accidentally takes it by mistake to measure their own temperature.

Find a helper. Naturally, the cat will not be happy to have a foreign object inserted into her anus. Chances are she'll lunge, try to escape and may even scratch you. So you will have to ask someone to hold the cat to secure it in a stationary position. [2] X Source of information