Fever in Cats: Causes and Treatment
Fever in Cats: Causes and Treatment
A fever shows that the immune system is basically capable of reacting to intruders. Nevertheless, you should take the symptoms seriously.
When does a cat have a fever?
Your cat's normal body temperature is between 38 and 39 degrees. If the temperature rises slightly in the short term, this does not necessarily mean that your cat has a fever. This is because the rise can be caused by stress and physical activity, for example, or a nap in the sun.
However, if the body temperature is above 39 degrees not only for a short period of time, your cat will most likely have a fever. A body temperature of 41.5 degrees or higher is even life-threatening and your pet should be taken to the vet immediately.
How to take a fever in your cat
To determine whether your cat has a fever, you must of course take the body temperature. We recommend that you take a rectal measurement for this purpose. It is best to use some Vaseline or lubricant to make the procedure as comfortable as possible for your pet.
For hygienic reasons, you should only use your cat's thermometer for your four-legged friend.
A fever measurement in the ear is theoretically possible. However, the results are very inaccurate. In view of the possible consequences that an incorrect measurement of a few degrees can have, we therefore advise against it.
Other symptoms of a cat with fever
Of course, you will hardly ever check every day if your cat has a fever. Usually there is no reason for this. But if symptoms appear that indicate health problems, it is definitely a good idea to check the body temperature of your four-legged friend.
If a cat has a fever, it will often be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- The cat does not eat.
- The excrement is remarkably dry.
- The cat coughs frequently.
- The mobility of the quadruped is impaired.
- The cat trembles.
- The quadruped retreats or becomes aggressive.
- The nose of the cat is dry and the breath is accelerated.
Possible causes for fever in cats
Basically, you should be aware that fever in cats is not an independent disease, but only the symptom of an underlying disease. The possible triggers that could be the cause of your cat's fever are therefore numerous.
Among others, fever in cats can have the following causes:
- Cat sniffles
- Cat Disease
- Toxoplasmosis
- Chlamydia
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
- Felines Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
- Histoplasmosis
- Felines leukemia virus (FeLV)
- Anaplasmosis
- Chronic inflammation
- Hyperthyroidism
- Tumours
- Abscesses due to bite wounds
- Poisoning
- Side effects of drugs
Treat fever in cats
As you can see, there are countless reasons why your cat may have a fever, from parasites to viruses to hormonal imbalances. Accordingly, it is hardly possible to make a general recommendation for treatment.
In principle, it is of course necessary to treat the actual underlying disease. For a reliable diagnosis as well as a professional treatment you should definitely visit a veterinarian with your cat.
The veterinarian can examine your cat in detail and determine on the basis of his results as well as further disease symptoms what your quadruped suffers from. Depending on the diagnosis, necessary treatment measures can then be determined.
If your cat has a high fever or if the exact cause cannot be determined, the vet may give your cat a fever reducing medication if necessary. If the animal is already severely weakened, temporary hospitalisation in a veterinary clinic may also be necessary.
What you can do yourself against the fever of your cat
Cats with high or prolonged fever are always a case for the veterinarian. Regardless of this, there are some things you can do to support the recovery of your four-legged friend.
Most importantly, make sure your cat drinks enough and keep the temperature at home a bit cooler, as a fully turned-up heater is not conducive to reducing fever. In addition, your weakened four-legged friend should rest for a few days, which he will usually do on his own anyway.
On the other hand, it is important to avoid the independent administration of painkillers or other medication. Especially your own medicines are a big risk for your cat and in the worst case can even be life-threatening.
Natural support for cats with fever
If your cat has a fever, it is a great strain on the organism and the immune system. In order to promote the drop in temperature and strengthen the defences of the four-legged friend, it can therefore be useful to take a suitable food supplement.
With the following products from our range you can support your cat's immune system particularly effectively:
- I love my cat Immun is a natural food supplement. Selected ingredients such as propolis and insect protein help to strengthen your cat's immune system in a particularly gentle way.
- Shiimun Immun is a digestible food supplement based on shiitake. The natural ingredients of the preparation are ideally suited to effectively support the defences of cats with fever.
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