Fever in Cats

Pyrexia in Cats

 

The normal body temperature for cats falls in the range of 99.5-102.5 Fahrenheit. Fever, referred to medically as pyrexia, can be defined as a higher than normal body temperature in cats – a body temperature of at least 103.5 ° F (39.7° C).

 

The cause of the fever is not always obvious, as in fever of unknown origin (FUO), which is defined as an elevated temperature on at least four occasions over a 14-day period without any obvious cause. Otherwise, fever is considered a healthy biological response to a bacterial or viral threat. The fever is a response to the threat of disease, and not the disease itself. It should be remembered that fevers can be beneficial for a sick animal, as it lowers the rapid division of bacteria and enhances the body's immune system response. However, a fever that is too high or goes on for a prolonged period of time needs medical treatment.

 

Symptom and Types

 

• High body temperature
• Muscle weakness
• Decreased appetite
• Rapid heart rate
• Decreased body fluids/dehydration
• Increased respiratory rate
• Shivering
• Shock
• Other symptoms depending upon the underlying cause

 

Causes

 

• Infections (most commonly, bacterial, viral, parasites, and other microorganisms)
• Immune-mediated
• Tumors
• Metabolic diseases
• Endocrine diseases
• Miscellaneous inflammatory conditions
• Various drugs
• Various toxins
• Sometimes the exact cause may not be established (e.g., in fevers of unknown origin)

 

 

 

Diagnosis

 

Diagnosing the underlying cause may be a daunting task. You will need to provide your veterinarian with a detailed medical history for your cat, including contact with infectious agents, travel history, drug usage, insect bites, recent vaccination, allergies, surgery, and any other previous illnesses. A detailed physical examination will be conducted to identify an underlying disease condition. After the history and physical examination, routine laboratory tests will include a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis. These tests may provide valuable information in identifying any underlying conditions or infections that may be leading to the increased temperature. In case of infections, your veterinarian may also conduct culture and sensitivity testing to identify the specific disease causing organism so that the most suitable drugs can be prescribed to treat it. More specific testing may be required to identify the causative organism.

 

Radiographic studies may also help in the course of the examination, and may turn up tumors, abscesses, and/or infections. More advanced techniques like ultrasonography, echocardiography, computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be employed for some patients. Other diagnostic tests, such as endoscopy, may be required in some patients if they appear to have an internal infection or obstruction.

 

Treatment

 

Your veterinarian will treat your cat on the basis of the final diagnosis. These patients are rested until fully recovered to save body energy and avoid aggravation of symptoms. In some patients fever may be resolved on the first day of treatment, while in others it may take weeks to months to fully recover. The diagnosis and treatment of fever of unknown origin (FUO) may be expensive, extensive, and invasive. Antibiotics given with fluid therapy is the most common prescribed treatment for patients with fever, but surgery may be required for some patients to remove the source of the infection that is causing the fever. Your veterinarian will decide whether or not to use drugs for lowering your cat's body temperature.

 

Living and Management

 

Your cat will need rest and a diet high in nutrition and calories to fully recover. It is normal for the appetite to be affected while the body is feverish. If your cat does not feel well enough to eat solids, you will need to ask your veterinarian to recommend a substitution, such as a high calorie liquid supplement, until your cat does feel well enough to eat normally again.

 

If your veterinarian prescribes medication, be sure to fully comply with the directions given by your veterinarian, finishing the full course of medication even after the symptoms have abated. Do not give any drugs or medicines to your cat without your veterinarian's approval, as some drugs can be very toxic for cats.