Fever in cats can be a symptom associated with several conditions. Just like humans, felines are also subject to experiencing this discomfort that raises the body temperature. The difference is that, in the case of pets, it is a little more difficult to identify when the problem is happening. Cats are slow to show when they are in some kind of discomfort and can even be unwell.isolate somewhere in the house.

That's why it's so important to keep a close eye on your kitty's behavior! We talked to veterinarian Estela Pazos, a specialist in feline medicine, to better understand the factors that involve the onset of fever in cats.

Cat with fever: how to recognize that your kitten is too hot?

Identifying a cat with a fever requires a lot of attention on the part of the owner. "The cat tends to hide the pain or hide the discomfort. Often, when the cat shows that it is not well, it is already with something more advanced", explains Dr. Estela.

Therefore, do not expect very obvious signs that something different is going on in your pet's body. It is essential to observe any change in the animal's behavior, such as hiding in different places or sleeping more than usual. "Usually, on touch it is possible to feel that the cat is a little warmer. He also stops feeding, this is a very characteristic sign ofthat the cat doesn't feel well," she warns.

The veterinarian also adds that the cat may appear sad. "The cat has a look that I call 'low beam'. More sad, "he explains. In addition, accelerated breathing and reddish nose, ears and paws may also indicate fever. However, remember: these signs are possible symptoms of several other health problems. If your pet has any of thesecharacteristics, the safest thing is to schedule an appointment with a specialist.

How to tell if your cat has a fever by taking its temperature: leave that part to the vet!

Cats' body temperature can reach up to 39.5 degrees without being considered a fever. This can confuse you a lot during a home diagnosis attempt! An unsuspecting person could have the false impression of hyperthermia when touching a cat, after all, the body temperature of humans is naturally lower. According to Dr. Estela, the recommended thing is that this process ofidentification of fever is done in a veterinary practice.

The correct way to measure the temperature of cats is rectally, by introducing the thermometer so that it touches the wall of the rectum. The procedure must be done by a specialized professional so that there is no risk of injury to the pet. "You have to take it to the vet, then look for the cause of the temperature rise and decide if you will need to medicate. There is no point in giving a medicationto lower this temperature without treating the cause", explains the specialist.

Possible causes for fever in cats

Fever in cats can be caused by a number of reasons, including infections (by viruses or bacteria), flu, allergies to certain medications, traumatic injuries and even cancer. Simpler factors, such as over-exercise or very hot weather, can also result in your pet's body temperature rising.

"In cats, there is a fever that is called 'fever of unknown origin'. It is not known exactly why it occurs, sometimes we cannot associate it with an invasion of viruses or bacteria. This fever can pass without us being able to discover the cause, it is a common situation in the feline species", says Dr. Estela Pazos. "All diseases related to some invading agent, such as a virus, can cause fever.For each virus, we have a type of treatment", he adds.

Cat with fever: what to give to get the pet better? Find out what the treatment is like!

So, as you may have already realized, fever in cats can be caused by several factors. Therefore, it is necessary to identify exactly what is the agent causing the symptom to treat the problem directly at the root. After all, a medication to lower the cat's body temperature may not be enough to protect the animal from the possible diseases causing the fever.

"It's a very common occurrence in the clinical routine. People wait for the cat to get better and it ends up getting too weak. It ends up having other problems resulting from something that could have been solved early on," explains the veterinarian. The professional advises you to look for a professional who, preferably, already knows your cat's history. That way, the specialist will know"This vet may just observe for a few hours or take you for a consultation to assess what's going on," she recommends.

My cat has a fever, should I worry?

It's always better to be safe than sorry, right? To avoid any complications, Dr. Estela's tip is that you seek medical advice: "I always think it's important to worry, because fever is a symptom of the body. It may be that the body can handle it (the fever) alone, but the immune system is not always ready to solve the problem." So don't hesitate to sin by theexcess and don't risk your kitten's health. Caution is never too much!