Cats are wonderful creatures. They consider themselves masters in the house and give your family warmth and affection. Furry Housewives care about living in their house people.
If a cat sees the human body those areas where there is a disease, often to go there to treat their purring. Human beings are not so insightful and may not notice deterioration in the health of the pet. One of the main indicators of the health of the cat is normal body temperature.
The normal body temperature of cats
So what is the body temperature of a cat is normal? This is largely dependent on the age of the cat, her lifestyle and even the time of day. The average for active adult cats of normal body temperature varies from 38 degrees to 39. But lifestyle also plays a role, if purring in General lazy and inactive, then the value may be slightly lower. Therefore, the extreme figure of 37.5. It is important to understand that a decline relative to the standards inherent in the passive nature of the animals. If a previously active pet suddenly became lazy legibly, it could be a sign of illness.
The normal temperature in cats is also dependent on age. For kittens Norma – between 38.5 to 39.5 degrees. A newborn kitten, this figure reaches 40 – 40.5 degrees. But to measure it like a kitten, and mom should be no earlier than three weeks after the birth.
The temperature in cats varies throughout the day: in the morning it is just below, and in the evening – a little higher. When the beast sleeps, his body temperature decreases, and after active play increases. It is also seen that for large breeds of cats the indications of the thermometer are in average lower than for smaller ones.
Body temperature Sphynx higher than their furry counterparts. Normal for hairless cats indications varies between 38,5 and 39,5 degrees. This is due to thermoregulation-cat devoid of the coat. At the touch of the body of the Sphinx seems to be significantly hotter than the body of a fluffy cat. In fact, the difference is negligible, just cat fur is an excellent insulator.
How to measure the body temperature of a cat?
To measure you can use a mercury or electronic thermometer. Mercury boasts a more accurate measurement results, and e-reduces the time of measurement – rather unpleasant for the cats procedures.
Measurements should be taken in the rectum. Most cats absolutely do not like and they will resist. Therefore, it is necessary to firmly press the animal to yourself or to a horizontal surface, and even better to swaddle tight in a blanket so it doesn’t scratched a caring owner. The tip of the thermometer should be lubricated with vaseline and gently inserted into the anus of fluffy sufferer for 2 – 2.5 cm (i.e., the entire length of the tip of the thermometer). Mercury thermometer can be pulled out after 2 – 3 minutes, and after the beep.
When measurements are made and the thermometer removed, the furry patient must be calm and treat them with Goodies (approved for cats, of course). The tip of the thermometerthat was in the cat should be wiped with alcohol. This thermometer should only be used to measure the temperature of the pet, people should get your own thermometer.
Recently appeared infrared thermometers specifically for cats. They can measure temperature in the ear. They do not cause the animal discomfort, but the accuracy of their readings even lower than the electronic ones. If you rely on the testimony of an infrared thermometer, the normal temperature of a cat is of 37.8 – 39.7 degrees. One drawback to infrared thermometers is that it will show excessive temperature when inflammation of the ears and when the ear mites.
Since the use of a thermometer it is often unpleasant to cats. Should not routinely torture animals. There are external signs that the animal is not feeling well. If the cat has one or more of the following signs, it is necessary to measure the temperature and perhaps to call the doctor.
Signs that should alert:
- Vomiting or diarrhea,
- Poor appetite,
- Weakness and lethargy
- Shortness of breath,
- Trembling,
- Pallor of the mucous membranes of needles and skin,
- Tachycardia,
- Dehydration
- Tousled hair,
- Search cozy and warm place
- Dry and hot nose.
About the nose should be discussed separately. Dryness is not necessarily a sign of heat. Nose in cats may be dry for various reasons. For example, sleepy or after active hunting, or sunbathing. Often the cause of dryness of the nose lies in the age-related changes or hormonal changes. Therefore, a dry nose is not always a sign of health problems. It should alert only in conjunction with other symptoms from the list.
Fever in cats
It is important to know that a slightly increased body temperature in cats is not always a sign of disease. For example, as a result of active games, it can increase on average by one degree. After feeding, the temperature also increases a little. In pregnant women it is also slightly above normal.
But there are times when the fever in cats indicates serious problems, such as:
- poisoning,
- the inflammatory process,
- infection
- worm infestation,
- stress,
- excess salts
- necrosis of cells.
Accurate diagnosis can only ask the veterinarian.
If it is exceeded 40,5 need to call a doctor, but before his arrival to try to reduce fever with home remedies. It is necessary to moisten the fur with water, and it is better to wrap the patient in wet towels, to provide frequent cool drink. If the patient refuses to drink alone, you drink from a syringe without a needle. You can give the cat regidron, in order to prevent dehydration. But in any case not to give antipyretics, designed for people, they only hurt you. Medication can be prescribed only by a veterinarian.
The reduced temperature in the cat
Decreased body temperature a cat might not be a sign of illness. A pregnant woman shortly before birth, it decreases to 36.8 – 37,7. In all other cases the readings below 37.5 is a cause for concern. Reduced temperature for cats may be no less dangerous than elevated.
Temperature measurements below 37.5 can talk about these factors:
- hypothermia,
- the presence of internal damage,
- diseases of the nervous or cardiovascular systems,
- renal failure,
- Oncology,
- strong blood loss.
Accurate medical diagnosis only a veterinarian.
Before turning to the doctor, you should try to warm the purring: to wrap her in a blanket or quilt regularly to give her a warm drink, put next to a heating pad. In the case of low temperature it is not necessary to water the cat through a syringe if she doesn’t want to drink myself. If the reason for the decline is renal failure, drinking can hurt.
To summarize. Normal body temperature of an adult cat is 38 – 39 degrees, kittens and sphinxes half a degree more, infants may reach 40 – 40.5 degrees. Minor changes may occur during the day in healthy animals by natural causes. When measuring the body temperature of a cat infrared ear thermometer, the range of normal values is increased to 37.8 – 39,7 due to inaccurate measurements. The temperature is below or above 37,5 40,5 for the cat is critical and requires the intervention of a veterinarian.
