What to do if a cat has a temperature above normal - this question worries many people if their pet is sick. The temperature of healthy cats is significantly higher than that of humans. However, its increase signals a disease or disorder in the body.
If nothing is done, the cat may die; it is necessary to provide him with timely assistance. To do this, it is worth knowing what tablets should be given to your pet and how to alleviate his condition.
Features of thermoregulation in cats
Normal temperature in cats is not measured in one number - it is an interval from 38 to 39 degrees. But the indicators depend on the pet’s age, gender, size, breed, physiology.
Thus, it was noted that kittens’ temperature is slightly higher than that of an adult cat and is 38.5-39.5 degrees.
There is also a common myth that hairless cats and sphinxes have a body temperature higher than that of an ordinary cat and is 42 degrees. This is wrong. Simply due to the lack of fur, the skin seems hotter. The same myth misleads some Sphynx owners: they think that a cat’s hot body is the norm and miss the onset of the disease.
The temperature may be slightly increased after a hearty lunch or active physical activity. However, the cat’s body is capable of independently regulating the indicators. An example of such regulation is when, on a hot day, a cat stretches out on the floor and breathes with its mouth wide open.
Deviation from the norm is a sign of disease. Deviations occur in both directions. Elevated temperature is hyperthermia and fever, and low temperature is hypothermia. Moreover, both phenomena are only symptoms, not the disease itself.
What kind of CT scan of the lungs is done for coronavirus?
Today, the “gold standard” for CT scans for coronavirus is considered to be a slice-by-slice 1-2 mm scan on a multislice tomograph or MSCT of the lungs. Diagnostics on such modern devices takes only a minute and allows you to obtain images in the highest possible resolution. The procedure takes place in the most comfortable conditions for the patient, so it is suitable even for patients in serious health conditions (with artificial ventilation). A CT scan of the lungs for coronavirus is performed without contrast, and its diagnostic value is superior to X-rays, MRI, and ultrasound.
In the specialized department, patients undergo a CT scan of the lungs on a new generation multislice tomograph Siemens Somatom go.Now with reduced radiation exposure and immediately receive a recording of the study (CT scans) on a DVD.
The difference between hyperthermia and fever
Hyperthermia is an increase in body temperature when the cat itself cannot regulate it and maintain it at a normal level. The most common example is that an animal spends a long time in a hot room, under the scorching sun, or in a car. Cats are more likely to experience heat damage than sun damage, as they are more cautious than, for example, dogs, and try to hide in the shade.
Fever is also an increase in temperature, independent of environmental conditions. The reason is a violation of metabolism and vital processes. A condition when the body itself raises its temperature to fight infection and ongoing inflammation.
It can be difficult for a non-specialist to distinguish one condition from another.
CT scan of the lungs after coronavirus
A CT scan of the lungs for coronavirus is done not only to assess lung damage, but also to monitor the recovery process as part of therapy. The first is done three days after the start of treatment, if it does not produce results and the patient does not recover. The next tomography can be repeated after a week if the patient’s condition does not improve.
With favorable treatment during the rehabilitation period, a CT scan of the lungs can be performed twice (interval - 2-3 weeks) to monitor the dynamics of lung recovery after coronavirus. In total, it is recommended to do no more than 5 CT scans per year.
Lung tissue is elastic and capable of regeneration. If the pathology is detected in time and treatment measures are taken, the patient’s body can cope with the infection within 1 month, and after rehabilitation, the functionality of the lungs will be completely restored.
If a patient was admitted to a medical facility with more than 50% lung damage, suffered severe pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome, then fibrosis may develop. The consequences of pulmonary fibrosis resemble scars, and such pathological changes may be irreversible. However, if small areas are affected, then from a functional point of view they are easily compensated by healthy ones and are not felt throughout life. The feasibility and number of repeated computed tomography scans during the rehabilitation period are determined by the doctor.
About the benefits and harms of elevated temperature
An increase in temperature is the body’s protective reaction to the penetration of bacteria and viruses. Due to the increase, metabolic processes in cells are enhanced, antibodies are produced faster, and unfavorable conditions are created for microorganisms - they cannot reproduce normally.
However, a high fever in a cat that lasts for a long time causes harm to the animal:
- Depresses the nervous system, disrupting brain nutrition. The cat becomes lethargic and overwhelmed.
- The heart works at increased speed, since plus 1 degree can give an additional 10-15 heart beats per minute.
- The tongue and oral cavity dry out. Less bile and gastric juice are produced. As a result, the digestive system does not work properly, which leads to bloating, rot in the intestines, and constipation. The pet is losing weight.
- The body loses more fluid due to increased urine production and open mouth breathing. There is a risk of dehydration, which in turn negatively affects the brain and heart function.
How to do a CT scan of the lungs for coronavirus
No special preliminary preparation for the study is required. Before the procedure, the patient must remove all metal objects and jewelry as they attenuate the X-ray beams. Then the patient is invited to the treatment room, and he lies down on the diagnostic table. The nurse turns on the tomograph, and the table gradually moves towards the gantry - the frame of the tomograph, equipped with sensitive sensors. The scanner gantry rotates around the chest and takes many scans (pictures). All this time, feedback from the radiologist to the patient is maintained. A CT scan of the lungs is done while inhaling, the patient holds his breath for a few seconds. Then the images are processed on a computer - the program makes a volumetric 3D reconstruction of the internal organs. The radiologist studies the data obtained, records the tomogram on disk and prepares a conclusion.
Symptoms of fever in a cat
Certain cat behaviors may accompany a fever. Therefore, the following signs can “hint” the owner that the pet has a fever:
- The cat is sad and lethargic. Not interested in the game at all. This is due to muscle weakness, which often occurs with fever.
- He doesn't eat and hardly drinks.
- Constantly sleeps, inactive.
- Takes less care of himself.
At high temperatures, trembling, rapid pulse, and diarrhea or vomiting may occur. With prolonged fever, dehydration develops. You can tell if a cat is dehydrated by the condition of its skin. You need to lift the skin on the back of your head and let it fall. If the skin quickly does not return to its normal position, but puffs up, the body is probably dehydrated.
You should never rely on the condition of your cat's nose. Moisture in the nose will not tell you anything about your pet's condition.
The most reliable way to find out if a kitten or cat has a temperature is to measure it with a thermometer. Without this procedure, it is impossible to determine further measures of assistance.
What the owner should always remember
If a cat’s temperature exceeds 40, this condition is already considered dangerous:
- The temperature has risen to 40.5 degrees - dehydration begins and heart failure may develop.
- If a cat has a temperature of 41 degrees, almost all body systems are affected: the heart rhythm is disturbed, shortness of breath begins, and wheezing appears in the chest. With such a high rate, intestinal bleeding is possible. The cat begins to have diarrhea and vomit with an unpleasant smell of vomit. Brain swelling develops.
In such a critical condition, you need to try to relieve the fever and immediately transport the animal to the clinic.
When should a CT scan of the lungs be done during coronavirus?
According to the accepted classification of identified pathological changes, standard “CT1” corresponds to less than 25% lung damage, “CT2” - 35-50%, “CT3” - 50-75%, “CT4” - 75% or more. The peculiarity of pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus COVID-19 is that the complication progresses quickly to a more severe form.
Unlike X-rays, CT will show lung damage of 5% or less - the radiologist sees even single areas of infiltration with a diameter of 4-5 mm. Pneumonia corresponding to CT1, and sometimes CT2, cannot be determined from an x-ray. If you have characteristic symptoms, even mild ones, and test positive for COVID-19, there is no need to wait for the infection to spread more intensely and cause damage to large areas of the lungs.
CT scan of the lungs is indicated for:
- Temperature 38 degrees;
- Respiratory rate > 22 per minute;
- shortness of breath/cough/chest pain;
- Blood saturation
A CT scan for coronavirus is done even if the test for COVID-19 shows a negative result, and the x-ray does not reveal significant changes in the lung tissue (the lesions may still be small, there may be artifacts and shadows in the image) - while the patient is concerned about the above symptoms , contact with patients in the past is not excluded.
How to lower a cat's temperature at home
When trying to lower your cat’s temperature at home, you should remember that overheating is the body’s reaction to something. And first you need to try to find the reason, but it’s better with a doctor.
What you can do on your own if your cat has a fever:
- It is advisable to make sure that the room is not hot (18-20 degrees): ventilate it, turn on the air conditioning. The main thing is that the cat is not in a draft.
- Wrap your pet in a towel soaked in cool water.
- Wrap a piece of ice in a cloth and apply it to the neck and inner thighs.
- Give the cat water. If he doesn’t drink on his own, you need to force him to drink from a syringe.
What not to do at home:
- Give your cat human antipyretic medications for fever. They have too many side effects on humans, let alone cats. The most common consequences of such “treatment” are stomach bleeding, vomiting, confusion, and problems with the kidneys and liver. And such a common drug as paracetamol can be fatal.
- There is no need to force feed your pet to gain strength. With overheating and fever, digestion does not work well. Increased nutrition threatens constipation or diarrhea, fermentation in the stomach.
Once the temperature has been reduced to a safe level, you should take your cat to the veterinarian for examination. You will need to take a blood and urine test. An ultrasound and x-ray may be prescribed. And depending on the identified cause, appropriate medications are prescribed. These can be antibiotics, antiviral, anthelmintic, immunomodulators, vitamins.
Basic techniques for delivering enemas
The usual standard form of an enema consists of a container with a volume of 1-2 liters, hoses, a tip and a clamp. In fact, such a device can be very easily made independently from available materials. But, despite the simplicity of such a device, it is still worth buying it from a pharmacy in a factory-made version to avoid unforeseen accidents. Before starting the cleaning procedure with an enema, you first need to think about the water that fills its container. For example, when using it before starting to cleanse the body with the help of hunger, various additional substances, such as potassium permanganate, soda, and herbs, can be added to the water. And already during the fast itself, it will be excellent to use water and a weak solution of potassium permanganate (the water should have a slightly pink tint). Such a solution will not cause irritation to the intestines being cleansed and is very well removed from the body, without any consequences.
