Cat Fever

Cat Fever

I want to review the basic treatment of a cat fever, because that it the focus of the web site. If your cat has a fever, I hope that it’s doing well and getting better. Remember that fevers are beneficial and helps the immune system of the cat get rid of infections.

Never give any medication without specific instructions from your veterinarian. Do not give any human fever-reducing medications to your cats. NEVER use Aspirin or acetaminophen, (e.g., Tylenol®) on a cat. Both human medicines are especially toxic to cats. They will kill your cat.

Fever is defined as an elevated temperature of the interior of the body, caused by chemicals known as pyrogens that flow in the blood stream. These pyrogens find their way to the brain’s hypothalamus (body temperature regulator) and binds to certain receptors in the hypothalamus, that result in increased body temperature or a thermostat reset.

Most cats with fevers will respond well to basic supportive care. Keep your cat warm and dry. Make sure they are fed a good diet with constant access to fresh water. Viral infections can come and go before they fully recover, so your cat may seem to be completely OK and then have a relapse a week or so later.

For mild fevers, less than 104.5F, watching your cat at home may be all that it takes for them to recover from the fever. Make sure your cat continues to eat and drink. You can take your cat’s temperature one to two times a day. If it gets above 104.5F, you should promptly contact your veterinarian.

You can examine your cat for anything that might indicate infection, such as abscesses, blood in urine, skin lumps, straining to urinate, sneezing or breathing difficulty. Anything that looks serious should prompt an examination and treatment by your veterinarian.

Cats can go without food for 48 hours but will show dehydration. Kittens and senior cats are more susceptible to fever because they are more fragile with less excess body weight are prone to dehydration.