Body temperature in cats and kittens: norm and deviations. Normal and dangerous body temperature in cats

We know very little about the time when the first domestic animals appeared, there is practically no confirmed information about them. There are no legends or chronicles about that period in the life of mankind when we were able to tame wild animals. It is believed that already in the Stone Age, ancient people had domesticated living creatures, the ancestors of today's domestic animals. The time when a person received modern domestic animals remains unknown to science, and the formation of today's domestic animals as a species is also unknown.

Scientists suggest that every domestic animal has its own wild progenitor. Proof of this are archaeological excavations carried out on the ruins of ancient human settlements. During the excavations, bones belonging to the domestic animals of the ancient world were found. So it can be argued that even in such a distant era of human life, we were accompanied by domesticated animals. Today there are species of domestic animals that are no longer found in the wild.

Many of today's wild animals are feral animals due to the fault of man. For example, let's take America or Australia as a clear proof of this theory. Almost all domestic animals in these continents were brought from Europe. These animals have found fertile ground for life and development. An example of this is hares or a rabbit in Australia. Due to the fact that there are no natural predators dangerous for this species on this continent, they multiplied in huge numbers and became wild. Since all rabbits were domesticated and brought by Europeans for their needs. Therefore, we can say with confidence that more than half of wild domesticated animals are former domestic animals. For example, wild city cats and dogs.

Be that as it may, the question of the origin of domestic animals should be considered open. As for our pets. Then the first confirmations in the annals and legends we meet a dog and a cat. In Egypt, the cat was a sacred animal, and dogs were actively used in the ancient era by mankind. There is plenty of evidence for this. In Europe, the cat appeared in its mass after the crusade, but firmly and quickly occupied the niche of a pet and mouse hunter. Before them, Europeans used different animals to catch mice, such as the weasel or the genet.

Domestic animals are divided into two unequal species.

The first type of domestic animals are farm animals that bring direct benefit to humans. Meat, wool, fur and many other useful things, goods, and are also used by us for food. But they do not live with a person directly in the same room.

The second type is animal pets (companions), which we see every day in our homes or apartments. They brighten up our leisure, entertain us and give us pleasure. And most of them, for practical purposes, are almost useless in the modern world, such as hamsters, guinea pigs, parrots and many others.

Animals of the same species may not infrequently belong to both species, both farm animals and pets. A striking example of this, rabbits and ferrets are kept as pets but also bred for their meat and fur. Also, some pet waste can be used, for example, cat and dog hair for knitting various items or as a heater. For example, dog hair belts.

Many doctors note the positive impact of pets on human health and well-being. We can see that many families who keep some animals at home note that these animals create comfort, calm, and relieve stress.

This encyclopedia was created by us to help pet lovers. We hope that our encyclopedia will help you in choosing and caring for your pet.

If you have an interesting observation of the behavior of your pet or have a desire, share information about some kind of pet. Or you have a nursery, a veterinary clinic, or a hotel for animals near your house, write to us about them at the address so that we add this information to the database on our website.

Sterilization of cats is an operation aimed at the extinction of sexual functions, hunting in females. It is especially important to monitor the cat in the first three days after the operation, to control all indicators of the general condition, to measure the temperature of the cat after sterilization.

Important! In the first three days, the temperature of a sterilized cat will be unstable and may be slightly increased.

An increase in temperature by 1-2 degrees within 24-76 hours after surgery is acceptable, but only if the cat has completely recovered from anesthesia and is gradually returning to normal life. The value of this indicator depends on age, the level of sensitivity and reactivity of the body to tissue damage, anesthesia, and stress.

If the temperature indicators do not return to normal on the third day, you need to urgently contact a veterinarian, since such a condition may indicate:

development of acute inflammation, other complications;
the presence of viruses, bacteria in the body;
education ;
internal bleeding;
severe pain syndrome.

Hyperthermia can occur due to developing peritonitis, suppuration of the sutures, infection penetration into the wounds.

In addition to the high temperature, the cat is lethargic, reluctant to make contact, hides in secluded places, refuses to eat. Nose, earlobes hot. Thirst is increased. Maybe nausea, unstable stool.

If the temperature rises above 39.5-40 degrees, does not subside on the third day, or occurs later, this is a critical condition for the body. Take the cat to the clinic, call the vet home. To avoid the development of serious complications, it is necessary to provide qualified, and in some cases emergency, assistance as soon as possible.

What to do with hyperthermia (high temperature)

If the cat has a fever after surgery, move the animal to a cool place, but just make sure that there are no drafts. Dry your cat with a damp towel. Set up a bowl of cool water.

Read also: Cat behavior after sterilization: what to expect from a pet

If the temperature of the cat is high, it is strictly forbidden to give the pet human medicines to relieve the heat.

Important! Analgin, aspirin, paracetamol, other drugs that include acetylsalicylic acid can cause poisoning, intoxication.

In addition, it is very difficult to guess the correct dosage of antipyretic drugs. The necessary medicines will be prescribed by the doctor after the examination and depending on the underlying cause.

If a cat has developed inflammation, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory drugs, and immunomodulators are used in therapy. In case of infection of the sutures, antiseptic solutions and lotions are prescribed. In some cases, a course of antibiotic therapy is required.

As already noted, the temperature increase in sterilized cats is allowed only within three days after the operation. If the indicators have not returned to normal, signs of deterioration are noticeable, consult a veterinarian, take the animal to the clinic. Do not self-medicate, as incorrect actions will cause serious complications.

Decreased body temperature

After sterilization in a cat in the first 12-24 hours, the temperature may drop below the norm by 0.5-1.5 degrees, which is considered a physiological norm.

Postoperative hypothermia is caused by severe stress, general anesthesia, slowing down of metabolism, metabolic processes in the body, and pain shock. Such a condition provokes severe blood loss.

Low temperature can be caused by unfavorable microclimate conditions, hypothermia, severe weakening of the body, endocrine pathologies, other chronic diseases or systemic failures in the body of a mustachioed pet.

The following signs signal the development of hypothermia:

Cold earlobes, paw pads, body.
Pale, anemic mucous membranes.
Half-open eyes.
Weak response to stimuli.
Refusal to feed.
Slow heartbeat, weak pulse.
Trembling, fever, muscle spasms.
Dryness of the conjunctiva.
Lack of defecation, urination.
Decreased activity, drowsiness, depression.
Indigestion, refusal of food, water.
Weak shallow breathing.

The importance of such a parameter as a cat's body temperature cannot be overestimated. Hyper- or hypothermia, in the presence of other warning signs, will tell about the animal's malaise, prompting the owner to take action.

Normal body temperature of a cat

The normal temperature of a cat falls within the average range of 38-39 degrees. Higher or lower numbers do not always indicate malfunctions in the body. In order not to panic ahead of time, you need to:

know the temperature is normal for your pet;
understand the nature of its daily fluctuations;
understand the reasons for the decrease / increase (if they are caused by illness);
learn to measure temperature;
be able to provide first aid.

Temperature of adult cats

When measuring a healthy cat, you may see slightly higher or lower readings than the generally accepted 38-39 degrees, such as 37.2 degrees or 39.4 degrees. Each animal has its own temperature, which does not go beyond the norm, which, however, should not be above 40 ° and below 37 ° (such values are already associated with pathology). For example, a figure of 39.2° would be fairly standard for an adult cat with a habitual temperature of 39°, but would serve as a wake-up call if the animal's daily temperature is 38°.

It is interesting! Cats, especially young and active ones, are always somewhat "hotter" than cats. A warmer body and in cats expecting offspring. Old animals are a little "colder" than active ones, due to the inhibition of metabolic processes.

In addition, throughout the day, the temperature of the cat's body varies by half a degree (in both directions), dropping during sleep and in the morning, but rising after eating, outdoor games or in the evening.

Temperature of kittens

For recently born animals, their own norm indicators operate, which is due to the unstable mechanism of thermoregulation. The body temperature of a newborn is in the range of 35.5-36.5 degrees, but gradually increases as they grow older. Values of 38.5–39.5 ° appear on the thermometer at about 3–4 months, as soon as the kitten’s body learns to regulate body temperature.

Breed features

One of the persistent misconceptions is that hairless cats (Canadian Sphynxes, Peterbalds, Ukrainian Levkoy, Don Sphynxes, Bambinos, Elves, Kohans and Dwelfs) have an elevated body temperature. In fact, these cats are not hotter than their "wool" counterparts, and the feeling of an overheated body arises from the lack of a layer between the human palm and the cat's skin. The coat of ordinary cats simply does not allow us to feel the real warmth of their bodies.

How to measure temperature correctly

To monitor the temperature, it will be necessary to arm yourself with familiar instruments (thermometers) and study the nuances of the upcoming manipulation.

Types of thermometers

If the thermometer is a contact type, let your cat have it personal. Mercury thermometers are divided into clinical and rectal(with reduced tip). Clinical requires more time to measure, up to 10 minutes, while rectal shows the result after 3 minutes.

Important! Mercury thermometers have a single, but significant disadvantage: they are easy to break, especially if the animal has a temper. It is better for owners of hyperactive cats to pay attention to electronic or infrared devices, however, they are not cheap.

Universal electronic thermometer(price 100–2000 rubles, depending on the model) - gives a result in a few seconds or minutes, but assumes an error of 0.1–0.5 degrees.
Rectal electronic thermometer - thinks much faster, showing the temperature in 10 seconds.
Non-contact infrared thermometer- works (depending on the brand) at a distance of 2 to 15 cm, displaying the result in 5-10 seconds, with a probable error of about 0.3 degrees.
Infrared ear thermometer(price 2 thousand rubles) - programmed for a measurement cycle (8–10), after which the display shows the maximum value. Since the device is in contact with the skin, before and after the procedure, its tip is wiped with alcohol.

Temperature measurement

Manipulation is performed rectally (in the cat's rectum). At this time, be sure and do not shout at the "patient", but talk to him calmly. Ideally, if you will have someone to assist.

The procedure looks like this:

Prepare a table or cabinet where you will take measurements: doing this on your hands is inconvenient and traumatic.
Wipe the tip of the thermometer with an alcohol liquid, then lubricate it with medical vaseline or vegetable oil (there are perfumes in the cream).
Shake the mercury thermometer to the 35° mark.
Fix the cat in a standing position or laying it on its side. You can wrap the paws in cloth and/or put a veterinary collar on them to avoid scratches and bites.
Raise the tail and gently, with rotational movements, insert the tip (2-3 cm) into the anus.
After the time specified in the instructions, remove the thermometer, wipe it with alcohol and write down the readings.

Important! The measurement result is incorrect (in the direction of increase) if the cat actively resists the procedure, involuntarily warming up the body. If the mercury thermometer in the anus breaks, take her to the clinic.

Actions in case of deviation from the norm

An attentive owner will always understand that something is wrong with the cat: external signs that differ in hyper- and hypothermia will tell him about this.

At lower temperatures:

bradycardia;
decreased activity and lethargy;
hypotension;
blanching of mucous membranes;
slow breathing, sharp inhalation / exhalation.
trying to find a warm place.

At elevated temperatures, there are:

tachycardia;
chills and fever;
loss of appetite and refusal to drink;
drowsiness and apathy;
dehydration (with prolonged fever);
diarrhea and / or vomiting with a bad smell (in severe cases).

In general, any deviations from the temperature norm should alert you, as they can signal various diseases, sometimes very serious ones.

If the elevated temperature

An increase in temperature can be caused by both diseases and other (non-physiological factors):

viral diseases - cats usually have distemper (panleukopenia), calicivirus, rhinotracheitis and coronavirus;
inflammatory processes - often occur when wounds or postoperative sutures become infected;
overheating - kittens, old and weakened cats, who are forced to stay in the heat for a long time, for example, in a car or in a stuffy room, often suffer from it;
stress - often provokes a failure of thermoregulation. The reasons may be a trip in transport, a visit to the veterinarian, a change of owner or place of residence.

It is interesting! The temperature often rises by about 1 degree after vaccination, when the body produces antibodies against viruses, or sterilization (as a reaction to surgery).

Actions at elevated temperature

If a trip to the veterinarian is not possible, bring down the fever in improvised ways:

humidify the air in the room;
give the cat cool water (in case of refusal, drink from a syringe without a needle or pipette);
moisten exposed skin with water;
wrap with a wet towel;
place ice behind your ears, on your neck, or on your inner thighs.

Self-treatment, especially with the use of drugs developed for the human body, is not allowed. Antibiotics and antipyretics can adversely affect the cat's body, causing allergies or liver/kidney disorders.

If the low temperature

The causes of a drop in temperature in a cat are internal pathologies and external factors, such as:

But the most common cause of a decrease in temperature is hypothermia, which happens after a cat has been in the cold for a long time.

Operations at low temperatures

If hypothermia is caused by hypothermia, the pet needs to be warmed up quickly:

wrap with a blanket / blanket;
place in a warm windproof place;
drink warm liquid (you can use a pipette);
cover with heating pads or bottles of hot water.

If your efforts are ineffective, take the cat to the hospital. There, most likely, they will give her a warm enema and put a dropper with saline.

If your pet is sick, then you should know how to take the temperature of a cat and what temperature will be normal in cats. These are the very first steps to check the condition of your beloved animal.

So, how to measure the temperature of a cat and what will be normal for cats?

When should you check your pet's temperature?

If you notice changes in the behavior and character of your pet, then you need to check his health. There is an opinion among the people that you can understand that a cat is sick by a dry and warm nose. But this is not entirely true, as it may not be related to the animal's body temperature.

In the following situations, when one or more of the following symptoms are present, a decrease or increase in temperature in a cat is possible:

1) coat and ears become visibly hot;

2) refusal of any food;

3) increased thirst, the pet cannot get drunk;

4) apathy - the cat does not show interest in anything, hides from everyone;

5) the cat is suddenly afraid of people, does not come close and does not walk in the arms;

6) uneven, rapid, heavy breathing and increased heart rate;

7) dilated pupils and poor coordination;

8) discharge from the nose, ears and eyes, vomiting or chills - it is urgent to find out the cause.

What temperature is normal for cats

Normal body temperature for cats is a couple of degrees higher than normal human body temperature. The exact value of the normal temperature for cats is from 38C to 38.5C.

It is important to remember that this value can vary within the normal range with age and even depending on the time of day. So in newborn kittens, the temperature can even be lower than human - about 35-36C. Weak kittens may have a low temperature and the mother cat may not pay attention to them, be sure to provide them with warmth by heating a place for them or placing a heating pad. The first months of a kitten's life, the temperature can also be one degree lower or higher than that of an adult cat, but this is absolutely normal.

Regarding the time of day - in the morning the temperature is half a degree lower than in the evening. The temperature can also drop dramatically during deep sleep of the pet - up to 37C. Therefore, do not measure the temperature of a sleeping animal!

Even in a healthy cat, temperature can change due to various external factors, for example, when being in extreme heat, nervous shock (moving or going to the doctor). This is a normal reaction of the body and should not be worried.

Another important note is that the body temperature of hairless cat breeds is the same as that of fluffy ones. They feel hotter to the touch compared to our skin, but with furry pets, there is no such difference due to the fact that wool serves as a thermal barrier.

How to take a cat's temperature

If you observe several symptoms of diseases, then first of all you need to measure the temperature of the cat. This usually causes difficulty, but in practice it should not become something difficult. At home, you can use a conventional thermometer (mercury thermometer), an electronic universal or rectal thermometer. The advantage of electronic thermometers is that they give results much faster, and you cause less inconvenience to the cat. It is advisable to buy a separate one that will be used only for pets, and family members will use another.

The only and most reliable way is to take the temperature rectally. It will be easier if you hold the cat together.

Follow these rules when taking a cat's temperature:

1) Get ready - trim the cat's claws so that it cannot accidentally injure the owners.

2) It is important to fix the animal well. There are two options - either use a towel and tightly wrap the animal in a "cocoon", be sure to hide the paws and hold the head. Or one person holds the cat with both hands - paws and head by the collar, and the second is already measuring. The cat must not be allowed to curl up in a ball or tuck its tail! Be sure to keep an eye on the position of the cat.

3) Before and after measuring the temperature, be sure to disinfect the thermometer.

4) Before you enter the thermometer, you need to lubricate it with petroleum jelly or a greasy cream so as not to injure the animal.

5) Raise the tail and insert the thermometer 2-3 cm.

6) Do not make sudden movements so as not to frighten the animal. Talk to the cat in a calm tone, calming her down.

7) The mercury thermometer must be held for about three to five minutes, the electronic one will signal completion.

8) Be sure to wipe the thermometer with something containing alcohol. Pet the animal, give your favorite treat as a reward.

Causes of low temperature and what to do

After you have measured the temperature, you need to compare it with normal.

If the temperature is below average, then the following non-infectious causes are possible:

1) First of all, it is hypothermia. If your pet has spent a lot of time indoors/outdoors with low temperatures. At the same temperature, different animals react differently. The breed and age of the cat will determine how much the animal will have time to freeze.

2) Narcosis. After operations with anesthesia, the cat's temperature may drop in the same way as in deep sleep.

3) Injury and shock. If your pet has only been injured or has suffered severe stress, then the body temperature may temporarily drop.

4) Diseases associated with the cardiovascular system. In case of violation of the heart or poor functioning of blood vessels and a decrease in pressure, a constant low temperature is also observed.

What to do when the temperature drops?

Try to keep the animal warm. Wrap the cat in a blanket, blanket or towel, apply a heating pad or give warm water / soup. In no case should you try to warm the animal in hot water! A sudden change in temperature can cause heart problems!

If the temperature is too low or it is not possible to raise it within a couple of hours, and also if the above reasons are not present, then you should contact the nearest veterinary clinic for testing!

Causes of fever and what to do

An increase in temperature is very dangerous for cats, as it leads to a decrease in the amount of fluid in the body and disruption of the internal organs. Most often, elevated temperature indicates inflammatory processes. At a temperature of 40-41C and above, immediately contact the nearest veterinary clinic!

The reasons may be the following:

1) Various infectious diseases. From a simple cold to viral and fungal infections, when the body tries to fight them by raising the temperature. Be sure to consult a doctor for testing and identifying a specific disease.

2) Poisoning. Often, in addition to disrupting the digestive system, the temperature also rises.

3) Oncological diseases. One of the symptoms is a constant fever.

4) Metabolic disorders. For example, in older cats, there may be disturbances in the functioning of the glands, which are responsible for the removal of fluids and moistening of the mucous membranes.

5) Reaction to drugs or allergens. If you have given your cat any medication, check for fever for side effects.

6) Inflammation of the gums, diseases of the ear or nose. Very often, inflammatory processes in the ear-nose-throat system lead to an increase in temperature.

Update: October 2017

Body temperature is an important clinical sign of the health of any warm-blooded animal. Cats are no exception. Each owner should not only be able to measure the temperature of a domestic cat, but also know what indicators should be normal.

The temperature in cats is normal

What is the normal temperature for mustachioed pets? Normal body temperatures in cats are highly variable.

On average, the limit of 37-38 ° C is considered normal.
But under certain conditions, this limit shifts somewhat - 37.5-38.5 ° С. But this is more the exception than the rule.
The temperature of 39 ° C should already alert.

Temperature is affected by:

Health status- in sick animals, the temperature always begins to fluctuate in one direction or another, different from the norm. In healthy people, it stays within the same limit.
Physiological state — During sleep, the temperature in the region of 37 ° C is considered normal, because. vital processes are reduced due to the lack of the need to generate energy. Pregnant cats have a normal body temperature slightly higher than normal cats. During games and after eating, the temperature rises slightly due to the active production of internal energy. It has also been proven that small cats have a higher temperature than large ones.
Age — In old animals, the body temperature is slightly lower than in young ones, but this only indicates a slowdown in metabolic processes with age, and not about pathologies. In kittens, the indicators are higher than in adults due to an unformed thermoregulation system (from about 3-4 months of age, the temperature becomes close to adult indicators).
Floor — Males are considered somewhat "hotter" than cats, as usually more active and mobile.
Times of Day — In the evening, the temperature usually rises by several points, and in the morning it drops.

The temperature in cats does NOT depend on:

from fluctuations in ambient temperature;
density and density of wool.

In hairless breeds of cats, the body temperature is exactly the same as in thick-haired ones, however, purely tactilely, it is felt as higher, due to its manifestation on bare skin.

Thermometry process

Temperature measurement will not be difficult if you know the intricacies of the procedure. The process itself takes place using the same measuring instruments as for a person. It is better if the pet has its own personal tool, which will then not be used by any of the people.

For thermometry use:

classic mercury thermometer;
Digital Thermometer;
electronic rectal thermometer.

It should be noted the advantages of electronic devices for the speed of obtaining the result, which allows less time to cause discomfort to the pet.

The temperature is measured in the rectum of the animal. The procedure is unpleasant, therefore, it involves fixing the cat in order to avoid injury from claws and teeth. It is better to carry out the procedure together - one holds, the other carries out the procedure. With a special aggression of a cat, it is possible that a third person will have to be involved.

There are two ways to fix a cat for temperature measurement:

One person holds the paws of the pet and presses it to any horizontal surface in the area of the withers, securely fixing the head by the collar. It is important not to overdo it, because. if you press hard, the cat will try to escape from this position much stronger than from the thermometer. Injuries cannot be avoided!
Wrap the cat in a towel or thick flannel blanket (or any thick piece of fabric), keeping the paws securely hidden. One person holds the resulting bundle, the other takes measurements.

After fixing, the tip of the thermometer is lubricated with petroleum jelly or some other greasy cream (for example, for children) and inserted into the cat's rectum to a depth of up to 2 cm in large and up to 1 cm in kittens. Electronic measuring instruments are held until the beep, mercury classic thermometers - 3-5 minutes.

After extraction, the result is evaluated and the tip is necessarily wiped with a swab moistened with alcohol or any other disinfectant solution. It should be noted that if during the procedure the cat behaves too actively and violently breaks out, then the result may be inaccurate with an increase in the indicator. This is due to the increased release of internal energy and heat.

To measure the temperature in a more gentle way, you can use thermometers:

infrared ear;
contactless infrared.

The principle of operation of the first is to determine the temperature that actively flows to the brain. Those. it picks up heat impulses from the auricle. The cat does not feel any discomfort during the procedure. Two drawbacks: 1) cost; 2) incorrect result in case of ear disease.

When measuring with a non-contact device, the cat does not feel anything at all. The device is directed to the cat's body (ideally hairless areas) and the result is immediately obtained. It has measurement errors within 0.2-0.3 ° C compared to the classic mercury "colleague". The only drawback is the cost of the device itself.

Signs of fluctuating body temperature

If the temperature drops, then the cat:

lethargic and inactive;
has pale mucous membranes;
trying to get into a warmer place;
rarely breathes with a sharp inhalation and exhalation;
has low blood pressure and a slow pulse rate.

When the temperature rises, the cat:

shaking and feverish;
there is no appetite, and the animal hardly drinks;
inactive, almost constantly sleeping;
diarrhea or vomiting with a pungent odor of the contents may open;
has a fast pulse;
dehydrated (with prolonged fever).

Important: the state of nasal moisture is not an informative indicator of normal or high body temperature!

When does a cat experience fluctuations in body temperature?

Any changes in Murka's body temperature are always a sign of ill health. The results of thermometry can both grow and fall below normal - in any of the cases, you need to find out the reason for what is wrong with the animal.

What does the increase in body temperature indicate:

infectious causes:

viral infection;
bacterial infection;
latent or overt inflammatory process in the body;
helminthic invasion (if it is a kitten).

Non-infectious causes:

necrotic processes in organs and tissues;
increased accumulation of salts in the body;
the introduction of drugs that stimulate the brain centers of thermoregulation;
overheat.

Physiological reasons:

after active games and long running around;
during pregnancy;
after eating;
stress.

The temperature drops when:

the cat is cold
there was severe blood loss;
there are pathologies in the endocrine and nervous systems;
the work of the cardiovascular system and kidneys is disrupted;
there is an oncological disease;
the animal has been poisoned by food (indigestion).

What to do, if…

If, after measuring the temperature, a drop below the norm (hypothermia) or, conversely, a jump was detected, then you should immediately take the cat to the veterinarian. If this is not possible, then you can alleviate the condition of the pet yourself.

With hypothermia, a cat needs:

warm by wrapping in a soft cloth or a blanket made of natural threads;
put on a heating pad or, in its absence, overlay with ordinary plastic bottles of hot water (just make sure that the animal does not burn itself);
drink any warm drink (water, milk).

Usually, warming up, the cat falls asleep, and, waking up, feels much better. But it is recommended not to postpone the visit to the doctor, because. the cause of this condition must be identified.

When a cat has a fever, you should:

give her cool water (not cold) to drink often and in small portions, using a pipette or syringe without a needle;
wrap the body of the animal with a thin towel or cloth moistened with cool water, or simply wet the fur with it;
apply ice wrapped in a cloth to the inner surface of the thigh and in the neck area.

With a jump in body temperature, the cat should not be given any medications, especially those intended for humans.

Important: the well-known antipyretic from the human first aid kit called paracetamol, for a cat is a poison that causes serious poisoning with a fatal outcome!

After the temperature is slightly reduced (not necessarily immediately to a normal level, most importantly, to a safe one), you need to arrange for the cat to be taken to the veterinarian. Most often, an increase in body temperature is caused by viral or bacterial infections, so antiviral and antibacterial therapies effectively normalize the pet's condition.

Owners should be aware that the following conditions can lead to the death of a pet:

fever with a temperature of more than 40.5 ° C leads to dehydration, increases the heart rate and respiratory rate, which, in turn, can provoke a certain degree of heart failure;
a temperature of more than 41.1 ° C undeniably leads to cerebral edema, and also provokes malfunctions in the heart (tachycardia or heart palpitations and irregular heartbeat), respiratory system (shortness of breath, wheezing), gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, diarrhea, the smell of acetone from the mouth, intestinal bleeding and skin hemorrhages).

If the question is whether to take the cat to the veterinary clinic or call the veterinarian home, the answer should be in favor of the clinic. It is possible that the temperature will continue to rise, and the pet will need a resuscitation procedure, which will be difficult to carry out at home.

What does a veterinarian do

When a cat is delivered to a veterinarian, the specialist tries to find out the reason for the increase / decrease in body temperature in order to prescribe an adequate and correct treatment.

For this:

anamnesis information is being collected;
a clinical examination is carried out;
a number of necessary urine and blood tests are prescribed;
ultrasound and x-rays are performed;
if necessary, a biopsy is taken.

After the diagnosis is made and the exact cause of the temperature fluctuation is clarified, treatment is prescribed, which may include:

antiviral drugs;
antibiotics;
anthelmintics;
anti-inflammatory drugs;
general strengthening preparations and vitamin complexes;
rehydrating (restoring the water-salt balance in the body) and detoxifying droppers.

Antipyretics are prescribed in the most extreme case, when there is a threat to the life of the animal. But usually, the therapy adequate to the situation, started on time during the day, knocks down the risen (or decreased) temperature.

Be attentive to your pets, watch for any changes in their health, including fluctuations in body temperature.