Cat Fever

In cats, a body temperature above 103°F is a fever, but an elevated temperature is not necessarily a sign of illness. Many healthy pet swill have a variation in temperature of one or two degrees depending on the time of day. their emotional state and amount of activity, or the environment, such as a hot automobile. Muscle activity and food digestion are the most important ways cats produce heat to maintain body temperature. Some healthy animals that are nervous will shake so much (i.e., increase their muscle activity) at the doctor's office that 104°F temperature may be recorded.

The most common causes for persistent fevers in cats are viral and bacterial infections. Examples are feline leukemia virus, FTLV(AIDS-like) virus, phalarope (viral), skin abscesses (bacterial), respiratory infections(viral and/or bacterial), toolbars, and fe-line infectious peritonitis. Other causes are heatstroke (environmental), clamps (low blood calcium), immune-mediated diseases(systemic lupus eurhythmics), and cancer (lymphoma or leukemia).

The hair coat of most cats insulates against heat loss or heat gain. If it is a hot day,the only way cats can lower their body temperature is by panting, since they do not have sweat glands (except on the foot pads). If they are left in a car on a hot day, the panting mechanism will not be able to lower the body temperature enough, and heatstroke may result.

Bacteria, viruses, and probably cancer cells cause fever by stimulating certain white blood cells to produce chemical substances called pyroxenes. Pyroxenes can be helpful in combating unwanted invaders. Therefore, fever is not always a bad sign - it may mean that your pet's body is responding to the challenge and fighting the infection.

There are a number of signs that will tell you when your cat has a true fever. Depression,a sad expression, and lack of appetite are common signs. Some cats seem cold and shiver;others feel hot and pant or seek cool places.You may also notice an increase in both the heart and respiratory rates.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is contagious viral disease of wild and domestic cats that does not infect humans. The disease has an insidious onset: the cat is lethargic, has progressive weight loss, a loss of appetite, panda fever that does not respond to antibiotic therapy. Fluid may accumulate in the abdomen and/or chest. The eyes, central nervous system, and abdominal organs may be ravaged by the inflammatory reaction. At this writing there is no cure. and supportive therapy will prolong life for only a short time. Euthanasia is the most merciful solution, should your cat develop FIP.

The FIP virus may cause no signs, only mild signs (sneezing, watery eyes, and a nose discharge), or the full-blown disease. Researchers are currently trying to de-ermine why all infected cats do not get the full-blown disease. Cats with only mild signs unfortunately become carriers and pass the vi-r us to others. Your veterinarian can diagnose FIP with a thorough physical exam, analysis of abdominal or chest fluid, a positive FIP anti-body test, and other laboratory data.

The FIP or the leukemia virus is suspected to cause the "kitten mortality complex-which includes the deaths of unborn fetuses .newborn kittens, and very young kittens.