Poor appetite Lethargy Inactivity Weakness Excessive shedding Withdrawing away from other cats[3] X Expert Source Brian Bourquin, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 20 December 2019. Rapid or shallow breathing Shivering Decreased grooming activities Because most fevers are caused by an underlying condition, be on the alert for other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing or skin swellings. These could point to a reason for your cat’s illness. Your cat may not have any signs of a fever, so take them to a vet if you suspect they have one. [4] X Expert Source Brian Bourquin, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 20 December 2019.
Gather your supplies. You will need a thermometer, lubricant (e. g. , petroleum jelly or K-Y), alcohol and paper towels, and a cat treat. If using a glass thermometer, shake it until the mercury is below the 96F (35C) line. Simply switch on a digital thermometer. Use a special thermometer designed for pets to measure temperature in the ear. If measuring your cat’s temperature rectally, lubricate the thermometer. Cradle your cat under one arm, or ask someone else to hold her. Raise her tail. Insert the thermometer into your cat’s anus about one inch. Hold a glass thermometer in place for 2 minutes. Remove a digital thermometer when it beeps. Clean the thermometer with rubbing alcohol and paper towels. Give your cat a treat to comfort her. If your cat’s fever is over 102F (39C), take her to see a vet immediately. High fevers can cause organ damage. [6] X Research source Take your cat to the vet if you have trouble taking its temperature on your own. [7] X Expert Source Brian Bourquin, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 20 December 2019.
You may or may not be able to feel a bone fracture in your cat. Fractures or breaks in bones can cause swelling or bruising in the break area. If you apply pressure to the injured area your cat will respond with pain. Be gentle as you examine your cat. [10] X Research source You should be able to feel swollen lymph nodes under your cat’s jaw area and around her shoulders. Swelling at the back of the legs or near the groin is also possible. [11] X Research source Immediately take your cat to the vet if you notice any of these symptoms. These conditions require prompt medical attention. If you do not notice any of these symptoms, the fever is likely a normal immune response. If possible get your cat examined by a vet who will try to identify the source of the infection. Follow the steps below as directed unless your cat’s fever has been present for over 24 hours. If your cat has had a fever for more than 24 hours, seek veterinary advice and treatment as soon as possible.
Position a fan on the floor so that it blows cool air over her body. If your cat will tolerate it, gently wet her coat with water. You can use a damp cloth or a spray bottle to dampen her coat. The evaporation will help to cool her body.
A feverish cat will not want to get up and walk about, so make sure she has drinking water within reach. You can sponge her gums with tepid water. In addition to water, you can also give Gatorade or children’s electrolyte solutions to cats with fever. These may help restore your cat’s electrolyte balance, especially if she has been vomiting or had diarrhea. [16] X Research source [17] X Research source You can use a syringe to get your cat to drink Gatorade. If your cat is resistant to syringe hydration, try freezing some water or Gatorade into cubes. Your cat may be more interested in licking an ice cube than drinking (and the cold will help her cool down). Never give your cat milk! Cats are very sensitive to lactose. Milk can make your cat ill and cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. [18] X Research source
If your cat refuses solid or soft food, try using a syringe to feed your cat milk replacer (sold at pet stores). This is a food that’s designed for feeding sick cats or nursing motherless kittens. Use a syringe (no needle) with 5cc to 10 cc capacity. Insert the tip of the syringe on the insides of corners of the mouth, closest to the cheek. Cats and dogs will swallow by reflex anything that has passed in this area inside the mouth. If your cat cannot eat, ask your vet about high-calorie liquid supplements. Your cat can consume these until she is well enough to eat solid food again. [21] X Research source
A vitamin and energy supplement like Nutri-Plus Gel (at 5ml daily for 5 days) can be given to battle fatigue and a lack of nutrients. An example of a very good B-complex vitamin is Coforta. It has a high concentration of cyanocoblamin (3), which is needed in energy metabolism. It is injected at 0. 5ml to 2. 5 ml per cat once a day for 5 days Subcutaneously (SQ) or Intramuscularly (IM): For small cats less than or equal to 1 kg (2. 2 lb), 0. 5 ml For cats 2 to 6 kg (4. 4 to 13. 2 lb), 1 ml For large cats, 7 to 9 kg (15. 4 to 19. 8 lb), 2. 5 ml For cats between these weight ranges, estimate a dose between these or follow vet advice, erring toward a lower dose. Never give your cat supplements with the following ingredients. They can be toxic to cats:[23] X Research source Garlic or onion Calcium Vitamin D Vitamin C
Be sure to tell your vet your cat’s recent history. Information to provide could include travel history, contact with other animals, recent vaccinations or other treatments, allergies, and anything else that you believe may be the cause of your cat’s fever. [25] X Research source A fever can happen for a number of reasons, including:[26] X Research source Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections Physical trauma Auto-immune disease Necrotic tissue Tumors or cancers The cause of the fever will determine the treatment. Your veterinarian will need to perform tests to determine the cause of your cat’s fever. Common tests include bloodwork and urinalysis. [27] X Research source
Ampicillin and Amoxicillin (20mg/kg body weight). Both are available in suspension form and can be bought in “human” pharmacies. Marbofloxacin (2 mg/kg) is available in tablet form; however, it can be very hard to dose because of its small tablet size. Doxycycline (5 mg/kg) is available in paste form, and a preparation made for pets can be bought upon prescription of a veterinarian. This preparation is Vibravet, and it comes with a plastic syringe doser to ensure correct administration. In giving antibiotics the duration of medication should always be one week (seven days). Always give the full course of antibiotics, even if your cat appears to be feeling better. Shortening it may cause re-infection and antibiotic resistance. [30] X Research source
It should be noted that meloxicam is formulated in two strengths: for dogs (1. 5 mg/ml) and for cats (0. 5 mg/ml). It’s imperative you give your cat the proper form of this medication to avoid an overdose. Meloxicam should only be used in well-hydrated cats. Dehydrated cats may well have impaired renal function. The additional decrease in blood supply to the kidney may cause kidney failure.
The recommended dose for a cat is 2. 5 mg/kg (5 mg/lb) every 48 – 72 hours. Use pediatric aspirin, which usually is available in 50mg or 75mg tablets. This will facilitate smaller doses. Give your cat food and water with aspirin. Giving your cat aspirin on an empty stomach may make your cat feel ill. Once absorbed across the stomach lining, aspirin is broken down to salicylic acid. However, cats lack the enzyme necessary to break down salicylic acid. Salicylic acid levels in your cat’s body will remain high for prolonged periods. High and/or additional doses rapidly lead to toxicity. Thus it is incredibly important to monitor the dosages you’re administering.
