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301 results for “cat fever”
Which Vaccines Does Your Own Cat Need?
Even indoor cats need the core FVRCP vaccine—owners, supplies, and pet-store visits can carry viruses home. Core shots cover panleukopenia (distemper), calicivirus, and herpes (rhinotracheitis); the first dose is never skippable. Non-core vaccines (FeLV, FIV, FIP, chlamydia, Bordetella, rabies) depend on risk. Follow AAFP siting: FVRCP right front leg, FeLV left front, rabies right hind. First immunity is two shots a month apart, then a booster about a year later; many vets now booster every three years, not annually.
How to Tell If Your Cat Has Feline Rhinotracheitis (Cat Flu)
Cat flu and a common cold look alike, which leaves many owners unsure whether their cat has feline rhinotracheitis — an infection caused by the feline herpesvirus. The reliable approach is twofold: watch the symptoms and confirm with a test. Early signs are subtle — sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, low appetite, no fever — while the active phase brings a high temperature near 40°C, persistent coughing and sneezing, and thick eye and nose discharge. A test strip or a PCR check at the clinic confirms it, but the result must be read alongside the symptoms.
6 Common Cat Diseases and How to Prevent Them
Cats hide pain well and can't tell you what's wrong, so owners need a basic grasp of common feline illnesses. Beyond regular checkups and vaccines, know the warning signs of the six frequent problems: urinary tract disease, respiratory infection, periodontal disease, parasites, ringworm, and ear mites. This guide summarizes each condition's symptoms and the everyday prevention that matters most—more water, less stress, dental care, deworming, and a clean, dry environment.
Understanding Viral Cat Colds
Most owners know the ordinary cat cold, but fewer know it can be viral. There are three main viral causes—feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, and chlamydia—and they are the most common triggers. Because symptoms overlap (fever, sneezing, runny nose, watery and inflamed eyes), tell them apart by a clue or two: herpesvirus may bring mouth inflammation; calicivirus often adds joint and mouth inflammation; chlamydia adds swollen lymph nodes. Prevention of herpesvirus is mainly vaccination (not 100% effective). Treat with antiviral therapy plus symptomatic care; bacterial colds from Mycoplasma or Bordetella also occur, so build the cat's general resistance. When unsure, see a vet for a confirmed diagnosis.
Can a Cat Vomit from a Cold?
Yes—a cat can vomit from a cold, usually from the chill. Like people, a cat may feel nauseated when chilled, and vomiting may briefly ease the feeling, but vomiting harms a cat's stomach, so during a cold support the gut with probiotics that also revive appetite. A cold shows as sneezing, runny nose, cough, fever, lethargy, and poor appetite; use these to confirm the cause. If it vomits without those signs, look to diet or stomach trouble instead. Treatment is simple: warm the cat, give water and nutrition; severe cases need vet-prescribed cat cold medicine. During recovery, don't overfeed, keep it from chilling again, and add a nutrient paste once it improves.
Can a Cat’s Cold Heal on Its Own?
Whether a cat's cold clears by itself depends largely on its own resistance and the virus's strength. A cat with good constitution can beat the virus and recover; a weak one may relapse and, in severe cases, die. Ordinary colds are rarely fatal, but serious viral colds are hard to cure and can be deadly. The common viral causes are herpesvirus (cat flu / upper-respiratory infection), calicivirus, and chlamydia—none heal by willpower alone and need targeted medication. Herpesvirus: fever, sneeze, runny nose, eye inflammation, possible mouth ulcers; calicivirus: also joint and mouth inflammation; chlamydia: also swollen lymph nodes. When unsure, see a vet for a confirmed diagnosis.
Why Is Your Cat Suddenly Sleepy and Inactive?
A suddenly lethargic, sleepy cat may simply be reacting to weather or age, or it may be sick. If otherwise normal with no vomiting, diarrhea, or appetite loss, it's likely harmless. But fever, pregnancy, a respiratory infection, indigestion, or low calcium, tumors, stress, or a recent vaccination can all cause drowsiness. Measure temperature if it won't wake and eats poorly, keep a chilled cat warm, use a probiotic for gas, and see a vet for any long-term lethargy.
What Injections Does a Cat with a Cold Need?
Never give a cat cold medicine or injections blindly. For anti-inflammatory or antibiotic shots, a vet must diagnose first—injecting without guidance can harm the cat. An ordinary cold shows sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes, sometimes fever, with little change in spirit or appetite. A viral cold (upper-respiratory infection) brings cough, congestion, sneeze, fever, thick nasal discharge, heavy eye discharge, conjunctivitis, and mouth ulcers; it's more severe, can block tear ducts and cause light aversion and hiding, even vision loss and refusal to eat. When to inject: high fever needs an antipyretic shot (vet-guided); viral colds get antiviral fluid; severe secondary infection needs the right antibiotic; serious dehydration needs subcutaneous glucose. Leave all injections to a professional.
Cat Scratch Disease: A Zoonosis You Should Know
Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection from Bartonella henselae, passed mainly by a cat's scratch or bite. Cats carry it without symptoms, but people can develop a red bump, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Most cases are mild and self-limiting, yet antibiotics help when symptoms are strong. Wash any scratch well, and see a doctor if signs appear—especially for children and the immunocompromised.
What to Do When Your Cat’s Voice Is Hoarse
A hoarse cat can result from infection, a cold, laryngitis, or strained vocal cords. Watch for fever, cough, sneezing, or runny nose; if present, a vet-formulated cold and anti-inflammatory remedy may help, and severe cases need a clinic. With no other signs, give plenty of water and soft food to ease throat irritation, keep the cat undisturbed to rest, and away from smoke, chemical odors, and dust that aggravate the throat. Most cases are temporary and improve with rest and humidity.