Despite the strong immunity, cats, like people, sometimes get sick. And the first symptom of poor health is often a rise in body temperature. In order to help the pet in time, every owner should know what body temperature is normal for cats, and what to do if the pet is unwell.
Every owner should remember what body temperature in cats is normal.
The body temperature in cats in the normal state is usually higher than in humans, and can vary throughout the day. For a healthy murr, the norm is the indicator from 37.5 to 39 degrees. It can depend on many factors: the breed of the animal, its age, weather and time of day. For example, in the morning, when the cat is not too active, the thermometer column can show half a degree less than in the evening, when the pet is playing. For a kitten, the normal temperature is from 35 to 37.3 degrees.
In any case, deviation from the norm should become an alarm bell for the owner.
For a person, a fever is characteristic, even with slight indisposition. The cat's organism is arranged differently. The temperature above or below the norm always indicates a serious problem, and you can not delay in this case.
At what symptoms is it necessary to measure the temperature of a cat
Cats can not complain and tell where they are hurting, and what's troubling. The owner can only carefully monitor the behavior of the pet and take appropriate measures.
The reason for measuring the temperature in an animal should be the following symptoms:
- The cat is shivering. She is looking for a warm place and trying to keep warm;
- If the pet suffers from a digestive disorder. Vomiting and diarrhea in cats are often accompanied by a change in body temperature;
- The pet eats little and more than usual;
- General lethargy or shortness of breath;
- Problems with mucous membranes: runny nose or inflammation of the eyes;
- If there is a sharp decrease in weight.
The common opinion that a dry nose indicates a malaise is confusion. Most cats in the older age have a hot and dry nose, and this is not a sign of poor health.
Similar signs in a young animal in the absence of other symptoms can be considered a norm. If, for example, a cat with a dry nose often drinks water, and its ears are hot, it is necessary to measure the temperature of the body and find out the cause of the malaise.
How to measure the temperature in a cat
Temperature measurement in cats - the process is delicate and requires the owner some preparation. For a cat this will not be the most pleasant adventure, so the master should be ready for its resistance.
It is best to conduct this event with an assistant who will help keep the pet.
It should also be understood that the process must be carried out quickly, so a conventional mercury thermometer will not work, as it will have to fix the cat for a long 10 minutes. It is best to use a rectal thermometer that will help you to finish what you started in minutes.
Sequencing:
- First it is necessary to lubricate the thermometer with a baby cream or petroleum jelly;
- In the process, it is important to try to distract the cat, talk to her;
- The tail should be taken from the base and raised;
- The tip of the thermometer should be inserted into the anus at 2 centimeters without deviating from the axis;
- Keep the cat and thermometer put time;
- After the procedure, wipe with alcohol and remove it from frightened cat's eyes.
For less resistance, you can roll a cat with a towel, fixing the paws, which will certainly try to take revenge on the "offender". To the cat did not try to bite, the assistant should keep her head behind the scruff. It is best if the process passes on a solid surface, for example, on a table.
If you do not want to spoil relations with a cat, you can use an ear or non-contact thermometer. The first measures the temperature inside the ear, and the second will give an indicator after touching the skin. Both ways last for a few seconds and help the animal survive the process much easier.
Causes of fever in cats
So, the temperature is measured, and the indicator is known. If the temperature is raised, urgent measures must be taken. An overestimate is a mark of 40 degrees Celsius or higher. The jump in the column of the thermometer may indicate a serious disease of the animal:
One of the causes of increased body temperature of a cat can be a heat stroke. Long-term heat production, which exceeds its return by the body, can provoke a body temperature jump up to 41 degrees.
In any case, in the presence of symptoms of disease should immediately apply for veterinary care
Sometimes the body temperature can rise in a healthy animal. The reason for this is often stress. For example, a visit to a cat veterinarian who usually does not go out. After a long journey and contact with a stranger, she may well become agitated. This complicates such manipulations as vaccination, because it is not immediately clear, the temperature has increased as a result of fright or illness. You can only inoculate a healthy animal, so you need to wait until the cat has mastered, and then re-measured the temperature.
Hyperthermia in a cat
Hyperthermia can be caused by both external exposure (overheating, sun exposure), and internal symptoms. In any case, a prolonged rise in the body temperature of a cat above 41 degrees is dangerous and requires urgent skilled care.
It is best to call a veterinarian at home to avoid exposing a sick pet to stress during transport. If the body temperature of the cat has increased due to overheating, it should be done immediately, the count goes for a minute. While waiting for the doctor, you should put a hot-water bottle next to the cat with cool water. But do not use icy!
Hypothermia in a cat
Hypothermia is divided into two types, depending on the cause of its occurrence:
- Primary. It arises from hypothermia: a long stay in the cold, bathing in cold water;
- Secondary. It arises from the effect of "from within": the introduction of drugs, anesthesia, as a result of illness or injury.
Hypothermia is classified by severity: mild, moderate and severe. For the primary type of lung is considered a form when the temperature is 32-37 degrees, heavy - below 28. For the secondary type, a light form is considered a temperature below 36.7, and a heavy one - from 33 and below.
With a slight overcooling of a healthy animal, it should be wrapped in a blanket and placed near a heat source. The body will begin to produce heat and soon the cat will return to normal.
Severe hypothermia is extremely dangerous for animals. In a cat with a greatly lowered temperature, respiration and palpitation slow down. To eliminate hypothermia, you need to seek help from a veterinarian, since rescue measures require certain skills. In no case can not sharply warm the supercooled body. This can provoke pulmonary edema.
How to reduce the fever in a cat
Before you start to knock down the body temperature of the cat, you need to make sure how much it is increased. Knowing the thermometer, you can start to act.
First of all, do not try to bring down the temperature by usual antipyretic agents! This can only aggravate the situation.
To begin with, put the animal in a cool room. Sometimes it's enough to open the window or turn on the fan. You can wrap in a towel pieces of ice and attach to the inside of the thighs of the cat. You can also cover the pet with a wet towel, but do not wet the animal's fur. This will impede natural thermoregulation.
With dehydration it is important to drink the cat so that the salt balance in the body is restored. With severe diarrhea and vomiting, the body suffers from a lack of fluids. It should dissolve a bag of Regidron in a liter of water and water the cat with this solution.
With a long rise in temperature, the cat's menu should be light meals, preferably in liquid form.
Even if it is possible to lower the temperature of the cat at home, this does not mean that the problem is solved. It is necessary to conduct a survey to find the cause of hyperthermia.
The fever in a cat is an alarming symptom. Only a survey will help to identify and eliminate the cause. Do not postpone the visit to the vet, because the health of the pet is responsible for its owner.
Our lovely purring pets, fluffy pets, affectionate and cunning, mischievous and capricious - cats and cats, they rejoice at our arrival, meeting at the door. Everybody knows that cats are being treated. And we them? Can we help a sick four-footed friend? Suddenly, the nose will be hot and dry, what should I do?
Yes, our pets will not say what bothers them, what hurts them, and we get lost. Immediately remember the vet, but if there is no such possibility? After all, not everyone knows how to diagnose or inject, we do not even know how to measure the temperature. Any unskilful actions can cause protest of the animal, and it can do much more harm. Therefore, it will not hurt to be aware of the emerging issues of domestic veterinary medicine, at least in theory.
Your pet suddenly changed, he lost his appetite, became listless or, on the contrary, too aggressive or alarmed. And here it is necessary to make at least the first step in helping him - to measure the temperature. But many do not know what is the normal temperature in cats.
The normal temperature of the animal has very different indicators than in humans. Compare it is not necessary. In adult cats and cats, the interval between 37.7 degrees and 39.4.
The temperature of the kitten is slightly lower from 35 to 37.2 degrees. Therefore, you should contact the veterinarian if this limit is exceeded, because only he will be able to provide proper assistance to the animal, having made the correct diagnosis. If a person's fever can mean that he has become supercooled and a cold starts, then a four-legged friend indicates a serious illness.
Symptoms that require body temperature measurements
If an adult cat, kitten or cat has one or more of the following symptoms, then it needs your help, you need to measure the temperature.
additional information
- If the cat temperature is lower than it is, then it is just as dangerous as an elevated temperature.
- It is more convenient to measure the temperature by an electronic thermometer, which will give a result in ten seconds.
- If the cat is asleep, it is considered the norm when the nose is dry and warm.
- If a cat has seen a lot in her life, then such a phenomenon as a dry and hot nose is normal for her.
- As a rule, a high temperature in an animal appears when infection with a virus or bacterial infection has occurred.
- The heat changes the habitual way of life of the cat: it does not want to move, the palpitation becomes more frequent, the eyes partially cover themselves with the third century, they do not want to eat or drink. Such changes in the condition of the pet should be a signal to measure body temperature and visit the veterinarian. If you postpone the visit to the clinic, this can lead to dangerous consequences.
Important! Never knock down the temperature of a cat or kitten with fever tablets for people. The state will only get worse.
How to measure the temperature correctly
Below is a step-by-step instruction for action. In order to measure the temperature in a cat, you should first start a personal thermometer. For this purpose is better suited electronic, this will save the animal from additional anguish. But be prepared for the fact that it can mislead you by incorrect parameters when measuring. A regular mercury can be accidentally broken up.
Then the thermometer smeared with petrolatum oil, this is necessary to avoid causing pain to the pet. This remedy is used in veterinary medicine, as well as in pediatrics. If petroleum jelly is not at hand, then you can use any other means on a water basis. But it is better to use petroleum jelly as a lubricant. If you have an assistant, then it's great, it will come in handy.
To begin with, it is necessary to place the cat on a flat surface, for these purposes a table or chair is suitable. The left hand is held by its paws and the tail is raised. Right hand insert thermometer to the cat under the tail. Be prepared for the fact that she will try to get away from you, since from this procedure even the most phlegmatic pet is unlikely to be delighted.
- Try to accurately enter the tip of the thermometer in the anus to a depth of 2.5 centimeters, affectionately talking and convincing the animal that this procedure is necessary. The usual thermometer is held for ten minutes, the electronic one - until the sound signal.
- Take care that the cat does not slip out of your "vise" with a thermometer in the anus.
- As soon as the measurement time is out, take out the thermometer with affectionate and laudatory words stroking. This unpleasant moment in her life should necessarily end on a pleasant note, otherwise the next time you will not be able to do it.
- We look at the parameters of the thermometer, fixing them. For a veterinarian, you can additionally note at what hour the measurements were taken.
The thermometer should be thoroughly rinsed with soap and water. sanitize with alcohol. In the future, it does not need to be used for people.
How to knock down a cat's temperature
With any increase in temperature, a cat or a kitten should show the veterinarian. If the temperature has risen slightly, then you do not need to knock it down. This may mean that the immunity began its work by connecting the defenses of the body.
If the temperature has jumped significantly, the immediate actions of the host may save an animal from disastrous consequences.
To ease the suffering of a cat or kitten will help the following manipulations:
- slightly moisten the hair to the animal;
- you can apply ice in the neck or inner thighs;
- provide the patient with a plentiful drink of cool water.
These actions will help to reduce high temperature, after its reduction, always contact the veterinary clinic for qualified help from a specialist.
Causes of fever in a cat
- Infection caused by the defeat of the body by viruses, fungi or bacteria.
- Tumor.
- Injury.
- Application of medicines.
- Pancreatitis or lupus.
Be attentive to your wards, do not delay the visit to the veterinarian, spend time on treatment. Do everything on time, sometimes their lives hang in the balance and depend on our active actions. Your care and attention protects them from long-term treatment with droppers and enemas. Take care of your pets, because they often save us from depression and despondency.
The outcome of the treatment of many ailments of domestic animals depends on how much they have been neglected. Therefore, it is so important to know what is the normal temperature of the cat, and carefully monitor the appearance of various dangerous symptoms. Knowing what temperature the cats have is normal, the pet owner will be able to notice the problem on time and seek the help of a veterinarian.
Like most people, in the family of felines, many ailments are accompanied by an increase in body temperature. Sometimes it can be seen without even measuring this parameter, simply by taking the animal in your arms. Therefore, it is important to know what is the normal temperature of the cat, so that if necessary, take timely measures and begin treatment. After all, the sooner the right therapy is prescribed and started, the easier it will be to get rid of the emerging ailment and the less dangerous consequences can be expected.
The temperature in the range of 38.5 to 39 degrees is considered normal in the felines. As you can see, this is slightly higher than that of a person. Therefore, sometimes the owner may just seem that the animal is too hot. Correct measurement of temperature will resolve this issue.
Some owners of pets are sure that it is impossible to do this on their own and it will be necessary to seek help from a veterinarian. In fact, knowing what temperature the cats have is normal, it will be easy to determine whether it is raised in the pet with the help of a very ordinary thermometer.
In modern stores with pet products there is a huge selection of a variety of special veterinary thermometers. They differ in the size and number of functions performed. But such a device is quite expensive. Therefore, it does not always make sense to acquire it. Especially in order to measure a couple of times a year the temperature of your cat or cat. Therefore, you can use the most common thermometer, designed for humans. Suitable for this almost any available: the simplest mercury, and the modern electronic. It all depends on which one is in the medicine cabinet of the owner of the sick pet.
Specialists note that it is much more convenient to use a simple electronic version of simple thermometers for measuring temperature in animals. After all, the owner of the cat who is interested in the information will show it much faster, and, therefore, it will not be necessary to torment the pet for a long time.
The first step is to securely fix the animal before measurement. Otherwise, it will not be possible to implement it, and even you can get some painful scratches. For example, it is convenient for this to put the animal on its knees and lightly wrap it with a towel or a thin, but strong blanket. The main thing is that the posterior part of the trunk of the representative of the family of felines should remain free. This is what is needed to measure temperature. It is best to proceed with the procedure together with an assistant, as alone to cope with the displeasure of a pet, it may be too difficult.
Next, you need to properly prepare the thermometer. Its tip should be lubricated with some fat cream or the most common petroleum jelly. This will protect the cat or cat from discomfort during the measurement. Without lubrication, the animal can even experience severe pain.
Remembering what temperature is normal in cats, you can start to measure it. To do this, it will be necessary to conveniently position the animal in front of him, raise his tail and insert the tip of the thermometer as slowly and neatly into the anus as possible. All actions must be cautious. No sudden movements, as they are capable of causing severe pain to the animal or even causing serious physical injury to the animal. It is more convenient and safest to introduce a thermometer with slow (as it were, twisting) movements. This method is the most painless.
It remains only to wait for the thermometer's signal that the measurement is complete. If a conventional mercury option is used, then it will be necessary to detect the time - about 5 minutes. Further, the result is studied on a thermometer, after which it is thoroughly washed and disinfected.
It is very important to note that in animals of hairless breeds, body temperature is always higher than that of hairless brethren. Normally, it can even reach 46 degrees.
If before the measurement the animal actively played and ran, the results of it can turn out to be distorted and incorrect. Therefore, it is best to choose the moment when the cat or cat is in a relaxed relaxed state. The same result happens after a long stay of the animal in the sun.
Knowing which cat has a normal temperature, after the measurement it will be easy to determine if the pet has fallen ill. If the result turned out to be above the norm, you should contact the vet as soon as possible so that he took all the necessary tests from the animal and put an accurate diagnosis.
Elevated temperature in a cat or cat can talk about a bacterial or viral illness or some kind of inflammatory process. The most common feline infections are:
- 1 Pannelopenia (in the people "cat's feather") - a dangerous disease caused by parvovirus, akin to the viral enteritis of dogs and mink. The virus affects the respiratory organs, the gastrointestinal tract, causes severe fever, dehydration, intoxication, and death. Symptoms: loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting of yellowish color, diarrhea with a strong fetid odor. The temperature rises to 40 ° C and higher, the animal can fall into a coma. Particularly at risk are small kittens, elderly and weakened animals. The high lethality of the virus is a consequence of a very short incubation period (2-10 days), high infectiousness (the virus begins to be excreted from the body of a patient with vomit and feces from the first days after infection), widespread prevalence and vitality (in the external environment can last up to a year, resistant to temperature effects and weak antiseptics).
- 2 Rinotracheitis, or herpesvirus. It affects the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tracts, causes conjunctivitis, runny nose, fever, pneumonia, when the disease is neglected, it leaves complications for the respiratory organs, can cause a complete loss of vision - the eyeballs affected by herpes have to be surgically removed. Symptoms of the disease: sneezing, coughing, purulent discharge from the eyes, lethargy, apathy, loss of appetite, temperature up to 40 ° C, sometimes vomiting with mucus. Transmitted by airborne droplets, when using shared tray and bowls, through secretions - saliva, tears, urine, feces, seminal fluid. The incubation period is 3-8 days. In the environment, the virus is unstable: when the discharge of a sick animal dries out, it dies. However, its special danger lies in long-term asymptomatic carriage and the ability to integrate into the body at the cellular level - most cats who have recovered from rhinotracheitis are never finally getting rid of the virus. Stress, weakening of immunity can cause exacerbation of the disease.
- 3 Calcitcirosis. The mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tracts are striking, the characteristic distinctive feature is ulcers in the tongue and in the sky, abundant salivation. Symptoms: nasal and ophthalmic discharge, sneezing, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, at the initial stages - pallor of the mucous membranes, on which, as the disease develops, specific calcivorous ulcers appear. When the disease progresses, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, anemia, anorexia, necrosis of the mucous membranes develop, the animal may lose part of the tongue. Infection occurs through discharge from mucous membranes, urine and feces, incubation period - 1-3 days, mortality - up to 30%. In the external environment, the virus persists for up to 10 days in the presence of humidity, when drying, it lasts 2-3 days. Relatively resistant to temperature effects and weak antiseptics.
- 4 Coronavirus. One of the most dangerous, poorly studied feline viruses. A distinctive feature of this virus is that in 80% of cases, the carriage is asymptomatic, and the disease is caused by the mutation of this virus into a lethal form. There is no clear answer about the causes of this mutation. A mutated virus affects the intestine of the animal, causing inflammation, which can pass into enteritis or peritonitis. Symptoms: diarrhea (fecal masses acquire a greenish-brown tinge), vomiting, apathy, decreased appetite, anemic pallor of mucous membranes. The development of peritonitis is accompanied by a strong rise in temperature, the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal and thoracic cavity. Infection occurs mainly through the feces of a sick animal. However, there are versions that coronavirus (normal, not mutated) affects up to 90% of all cats. Until recently, considered to be "aristocratic", a nursery disease, it is increasingly found in homeless animals.
Pannelopenia 
Rinotracheitis 
Calciovirosis 
Coronavirus
The best way to protect against the first three groups of viruses is timely vaccination with a polyvalent vaccine. A universally recognized coronavirus vaccine does not currently exist, although development is underway.
In addition to viral infections, raising the temperature of the cat's body can indicate a variety of inflammatory processes, for example, in trauma, sepsis. It is very important to monitor the postoperative state of operated cats, especially if they are not vaccinated and their origin and life course are unknown. Anesthesia causes a decrease in immunity and an increase in the susceptibility of the organism to various kinds of infections. But it should be noted that the first two days of the indicators may be incorrect: anesthesia and blood loss affect the temperature.
In addition to viral and bacterial infections, the increased temperature in a cat can be caused by the following reasons: necrotic processes, accumulation of salts that cause the breakdown of proteins and tissues, exposure to substances that stimulate the center of thermoregulation in the brain, heat stroke.
If necessary, show the pet to the veterinarian
In your medicine cabinet should be stored good antibiotics and antipyretics, and if necessary, call a veterinarian.
If the temperature is below normal
No less fear should be caused by the lowered temperature of the cat's body. In small kittens, it can testify to immunosuppression - a pathological decrease in immunity against the background of a viral disease, and in older animals - about diseases of the kidneys, liver, heart.
Hypothermia is observed with hypothermia and severe blood loss, after prolonged antibiotic therapy and serious (lasting more than 3 hours) surgical interventions. When hypothermia, it is necessary to warm the pet's body externally with the help of warmers and blankets and intravenously by the introduction of warm solutions. If the temperature drops below 36.5 ° C and remains at this level for more than 2 days, the life of the animal is threatened.
Prolonged and severe hypothermia is fraught with serious complications - a violation of metabolism, the development of cardiovascular failure. From the promptness of the provision of qualified care depends on the life and health of your pet.
There is an opinion that the temperature of a cat's body depends on the breed and the length of the coat. Well, it is worth dispelling this myth and say a few words about the normal temperature and condition of the pet.
Adult cat
The body temperature of an adult healthy murchalka ranges from 38 to 39.5 ° C. Do not be scared if the cat of the Sphynx breed seems to feel hotter than, for example, the Persian cat. In fact, the temperature will be the same for both, but because of the abundant long coat, the Persian does not seem so hot, because the internal temperature of the hairless breeds is exactly the same as in all other breeds. Tactally, Peterbald and Sphynx seem to be hotter, so owners perceive it as higher and immediately begin to panic. Do not worry and try it yourself, without contacting the veterinary clinic to determine the temperature of the pet. How to do it - read below.
Kittens
For kittens aged under 3 months, a small increase in temperature to 40 ° C is normal. For newborns this rate is even greater - 40.5 ° C. Do not forget - the newly born kitten is in a small shock from what happened to him, so do not immediately run after the thermometer and shove it under the tail. It is best to carry out the first measurement at a week-old age, if necessary. Without unnecessary need it is better not to disturb the kids and mom at all.
How to measure the body temperature of a pet
Many owners have faced such testimonies of a veterinarian, like monitoring the body temperature of their murching friends. However, simply putting his hand to the forehead of the pet, it is impossible to determine its temperature. Yes, and do not put a thermometer on your armpit. The only correct definition is through the anus (which was described in detail). This is where you need to be careful. If the pet does not get wrapped up properly and does not prepare him for the upcoming manipulation, one can immediately count on the scratched and scratched hands, and also the brutal resentment on the part of the animal.
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