12/04/2017
Fever in Cats ..
How can you tell if your cat has a fever? In humans, a kiss of a warm forehead may give you a clue. But you can’t tell if your cat has a fever by feeling for a warm, dry nose, as many people believe. The only way to know for sure -- with either a human or a cat -- is to take its temperature.
A normal temperature in cats ranges from 100.4º to 102.5º Fahrenheit. A fever in cats occurs when temperatures rise above 102.5º F. Although fevers may be helpful in fighting disease, a fever higher than 106º F can damage organs. Contact the vet right away if your cat has a high fever.
Learn about the causes, signs, and symptoms of fevers in cats and what you need to know about taking your cat’s temperature and caring for a cat with a fever.
Causes of a Fever in Cats
An increase in body temperature above normal is called hyperthermia. Abnormal or unregulated hyperthermia in cats may result from being in a very warm environment or having increased muscle activity, for example. However, a fever is a specific, regulated type of hyperthermia. It develops when the set point is increased in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body’s thermostat. A fever usually results when the immune system is activated by conditions such as:
A bacterial, viral, or fungal infection
A tumor
Injury from trauma
Certain medications
Diseases such as lupus
A fever for more than two weeks with no apparent reason is called a fever of unknown origin (FUO).
Signs of a Fever in Cats
Diseases that cause a fever in cats can also cause certain telltale behaviors. These behaviors, which evolved in wild animals to help them survive illness, allow cats to conserve the necessary energy to produce a fever. Fevers fight disease by stimulating the immune system and slowing growth of bacteria and viruses.
Watch for these signs of a fever:
Loss of appetite
Depression
Lack of energy or activity
Decreased drinking
Decreased grooming
Shivering or rapid breathing
Your cat may also display other specific signs of illness, such as sneezing, vomiting, or diarrhea.
