While most cats will try to tell you when they are feeling ill, not every feline is as straightforward as they seem. Some may go through a period of time where they appear well before suddenly showing signs of illness such as acting lethargic or having trouble moving around or eating properly.
Other symptoms include discoloration of their gums, whiskers that look very thin or even no longer present, excessive scratching or rubbing all over the body, watery eyes and/or drooling, fever, and possible seizures. If your cat was diagnosed with hypocalcemia then it is important to make sure that his or her levels of calcium in blood are corrected immediately!
Hypocalcemia can be caused by many things including low food intake, internal medical conditions (such as kidney disease), use of certain medications, and poor oral health. It is important to note though that although these factors can contribute to hypocalcemia, alone they do not necessarily require treatment unless your pet shows other symptoms as mentioned above.
This article will talk about some general tips for identifying if your cat has a temperature and what that might mean. However, never assume that just because your cat does not have a noticeable temperature it is fine! Never put your knowledge into practice without first consulting your doctor.
Hold their paw
If your cat has a fever, she may be acting nervous or uncomfortable.
If you hold her while asking how she feels, she may try to pull away or even run away. This is normal behavior for most cats when they are feeling ill.
It’s important to remember that it takes an average of two weeks for a young kitten to develop strong pain-related behaviors. Your baby will outgrow this habit quickly!
Also, never squeeze a cat's ear or grab its face because this could hurt it seriously. These things are done by kittens during early development, so there is no way to know whether it was due to discomfort, fear, or both.
Look at their ears
If you notice that her ears are drooping, then it is likely that she has a fever. This happens when cats lack moisture in their body so they pull back the fur to try and regulate their temperature.
This usually does not occur until several days after the cat comes into contact with someone who has a cold or flu. Because of this, some health professionals recommend waiting one week before checking for ear drops as an indicator of a disease.
However, other signs such as lethargy, vomiting, weight loss, and lab test results may be used earlier to determine whether your cat needs medical attention.
Talk to them
Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels
If your cat has a fever, she may show some changes in behavior or activity level. She may act withdrawn, hiding or refusing to interact with you.
Some symptoms of heatstroke include excessive drooling, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, collapse, and seizures.
Your dog may also experience heat-related illness, but there are no firm guidelines about what temperature is considered too high for dogs.
So before trying to cool down your pet by pouring water on him, make sure that he isn’t already suffering from heat exhaustion or heatstroke!
Never give your animal any kind of bitter fluid like oranges or milk because they could choke on it and suffer serious health problems.
You can also try applying ice packs or cooling gel wraps to help reduce body temperatures, but never use cold fluids as a first-line treatment unless your animal has been diagnosed with heat syncroeis.
Take their temperature
When your cat has a fever, you will know immediately because it will not be awake or active. They may sleep for extended periods of time, eat less, and show other symptoms such as dry mouth and skin.
You can take their body temperature using either a lumbar (waist) puncture or an oral cavity puncture. To do both, you need special tools!
Fortunately, there are several easy ways to determine whether your cat is suffering from a fever. The easiest way is by taking her temperature with a device that does it automatically. You just have to put the tip in her ear or into her mouth, and then compare it to what she was like at rest.
Your vet can also tell you whether your cat’s temperature is elevated by looking at her blood. However, this isn’t always practical unless you already go to the doctor regularly or live close to one where you could visit quickly.
Stay hydrated
When your cat has a fever, she may need to be checked out by a veterinarian right away to make sure that she does not have an infection.
Making sure your cat is fully hydrated can help her body down-regulate its temperature. If your cat seems lethargic or uninterested in activity, she may be receiving too much water.
Make sure your cat only drinks liquid form of food, as a solid piece of food could potentially get stuck in her system and work as an irritant instead of a cooling agent. This would increase the body’s temperature.
Cat owners often mistake their cats drinking more than normal for a sign they are feeling sick. As such, they might forget to check how thirsty their pet is!
Take a look at your cat's skin to determine if it is dry or moist. If she looks slightly pink and flaky, she may need some moisture.
See your vet
A lot of health issues that can cause vomiting, such as ear infections or food allergies, do not show any symptoms until they are gone. Therefore, it is very important to make an appointment with your veterinarian right away to determine whether your cat has a fever!
Some things that may indicate that your pet has a temperature above normal include:
Your dog acting nervous or restless
Your dog rubbing his/her eyes
Your dog having trouble standing up
The animal looks ill
It is very important to take your dog to the doctor for a check-up when he/she shows signs of illness. It could save their life!
Do not hesitate to bring in proof of the disease so that your loved one can receive proper treatment.
They may have a fever
If you notice your cat acting or behaving differently, it might have a little bit of a temperature. Theirs can be a funny way to indicate that they are not feeling well.
They could try to hide in a place where it is warm or under an area of furniture so that they can stay comfortable. Or maybe their normal activity has slowed down.
We cannot tell whether your feline friend has a cold, heat stroke, or just does not feel good so they are resting.
They may need a thermometer
A cat with a low temperature is still very healthy, but it might have a fever! If your pet has a low body temperature, you can check to see if they are warm by feeling their nose or mouth. If they seem warmer there than normal, then it could be a cause for concern and you should take them to the vet right away!
Fortunately, most cats don’t get sick very often so many people never learn how to identify a fever in their friend. But when they do, it's important to know what symptoms to look for!
It’s best to pick up any sign of illness as early as possible before the disease gets worse.
