What to do if a kitten has a fever

It is recommended to use alcohol or wet towels to wipe the ears, belly, pad of the feet, and groin area of the kitten for physical cooling observation when the kitten has a fever. If the temperature of the kitten is more than 0.5°C higher than the highest normal temperature, medication for lowering the fever is usually required. You can give the kitten subcutaneous injections containing ingredients such as flunixin meglumine and tofen acid. It is best to consult a doctor for the appropriate use of fever-reducing drugs to prevent organ damage caused by high temperatures.

How to judge if a cat has a fever without a thermometer?

You can determine if a cat has a fever without a thermometer by touching its ears, belly, pad of the feet, and groin area. Normally, the cat's ear and groin are warm. If it feels hot after touching, it is likely due to a fever.

If you suspect that the cat's temperature is high, it is advised to measure the cat's actual temperature with a thermometer as soon as possible. Prolonged high temperature in cats can lead to serious conditions such as pneumonia. The cat needs immediate cooling when it has a fever. If the cat has a persistent high fever, take it to a pet hospital immediately for injection of fever-reducing medication.

A cat's normal temperature is 38-39.5°C. After intense physical activity, stress, or feeling anxious or scared, the cat's temperature may also exceed 39.5°C. If the cat's temperature returns to the normal range after being calm, it means the cat has a transient increase in temperature, not a fever.

What are the symptoms of a cat with a fever?

The main symptoms of a cat with a fever include red and hot ears, dry nostrils, depressed spirit, decreased appetite, lethargy, and excessive sleep. Usually, a cat is considered to have a fever if its temperature exceeds 39°C, and a high fever is when the temperature exceeds 40°C. If the cat's temperature is 1°C higher than the normal temperature, you can choose physical methods to relieve it, such as wiping the cat's ears and pad of the feet with alcohol, which are less hairy areas. Generally, low fever will not affect the cat's spirit and appetite. If the cat is in a high fever state, it is best to consult a pet doctor and inject fever-reducing medication.

Other precautions

First, pay attention to improving the cat's living environment. It is best to ensure that the temperature of the cat's living environment reaches a constant 27-28°C to avoid the cat catching a cold due to low temperature and exacerbating its condition. You can use air conditioning or electric heaters to keep the cat warm, and cats are forbidden to rest or lie on cold or cool surfaces.

When a cat has a fever, do not blindly give the cat medication, especially human medications, without knowing the cause of the illness. If the cat has other uncomfortable symptoms or decreased spirit, it is recommended to take the cat for a professional examination first.