How to handle a cat with a fever

It is recommended that cat owners use physical methods to reduce their cat's fever, such as wiping the cat's groin and pad areas with alcohol. If the temperature exceeds the highest normal temperature by 1°C or more, the fastest way to deal with it is to take the cat to a pet hospital for a fever-reducing injection. Prolonged fever may lead to serious conditions such as pneumonia.

Causes of Cat Fever

Fever is caused by infections of various pathogens in the cat's body. Firstly, bacteria, viruses, mycoplasmas, fungi, and other agents can cause fever. Secondly, common diseases that cause cats to develop fever include colds, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Thirdly, cats are relatively tolerant and only show clinical symptoms when infections are severe. Therefore, when owners discover that their cats have a fever, they should take the cat to a pet hospital for treatment promptly.

Symptoms of Cat Fever

When a cat has a fever, it may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite or complete loss of appetite, and depression. These symptoms are not characteristic and can be caused by many diseases. It is recommended to have a thermometer at home and measure the cat's temperature promptly when suspected of having a fever. To measure the temperature, place the thermometer in the cat's groin area. A cat's normal temperature is below 39.2°C. If there are abnormalities such as increased temperature, it is advised to seek medical attention promptly.

What to Do if Your Cat Has a Fever

A cat's normal temperature ranges from 38.0 to 39.3 degrees Celsius. Kitten may have a temperature slightly higher than 39.3 by 0.1-0.2 degrees Celsius. If the temperature exceeds this range, it indicates that the cat has a fever. When encountering a cat with a fever, the owner can first wipe the cat's ear back and pad area with an alcohol swab to achieve local cooling. Then, take the cat to the hospital as soon as possible to see if medication is necessary to reduce the fever. Do not self-medicate, especially with human medications. Human fever-reducing drugs are not suitable for cats.