How long does a fever last in a cat?
Once a cat has the cat scratch fever infection, it can carry the bacteria for several months. During this time, it can pass on the infection. Cats with the bacteria often have no symptoms, but they may have a fever that lasts for 48–72 hours.
Medical attention is required for higher fevers or fevers that last more than one or two days. Do not try to treat the cat’s fever at home as many medications are dangerous for cats and the underlying cause of the fever could be serious.
At what temperature should I take my cat to the vet?
A temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit is a dangerous level and your cat should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. If it’s higher than 103 degrees Fahrenheit, you should call your veterinarian for advice.
What happens when a cat has a fever?
With these higher temperatures, cats can be at a high risk of brain and heart damage and even death. The primary symptom associated with fever in cats is a body temperature over 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Observable symptoms generally include flushing and lethargy. In cases of higher temperatures or prolonged fever, more severe symptoms may occur.
What is a fever of unknown origin in cats?
Fever of unknown origin (FUO) in cats is classified as a temperature higher than 39.7°C (103.5°F) measured at least 4 times in a 2-week period without an identified cause. The term FUO is often overused in veterinary medicine, as the number of patients in which a true case of fever cannot be uncovered is relatively small.
What to do if a febrile cat has a fever?
Icterus in a febrile cat should prompt a complete blood count (CBC) and blood smear evaluation (which may reveal the etiology, such as hemotropic mycoplasmosis or cytauxzoonosis) or serum biochemistry profile (which may help support a diagnosis of acute cholangiohepatitis).
When to use differentials for fever in cats?
The emphasis is on differentials for fever when the diagnosis is not immediately obvious (eg, the kitten with a severe upper respiratory tract infection caused by herpesvirus or calicivirus). Important factors used to determine the relative risk for various diseases include (Box 2):
What should you do if your cat has a fever?
Do not try to treat the cat’s fever at home as many medications are dangerous for cats and the underlying cause of the fever could be serious. Fever is a common sign of infections, illnesses, some cancers, and various disorders. Cats are considered to have a fever if their body temperature is higher than 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
What’s the normal temperature of a fever in a cat?
A normal temperature in cats ranges from 100.4º to 102.5º Fahrenheit. A fever in cats occurs when temperatures rise above 102.5º F. A fever in cats occurs when temperatures rise above 102.5º F. Although fevers may be helpful in fighting disease, a fever higher than 106º F can damage organs.
Can a FeLV infection give a cat a fever?
In the initial stage of infection, FIV may present with fever that persists for a few weeks before resolving, regardless of therapy. 13 FeLV infections are associated with fever when the cat acquires a secondary infection or as a component of a paraneoplastic syndrome; however, fever is not typically caused by the primary viral infection itself. 13
When to take your cat to the vet?
See the vet if your cat has a temperature below 99 or above 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. In many cases, your cat will be able to overcome a fever on its own, but it is always a good idea to consult your vet. If your cat is sick for several days or you suspect a chronic condition, it is even more important that you visit your vet.
