Tips for Identifying and Treating Heat Stroke in Cats
When temperatures are rising, it's important to keep your cat safe from heat stroke. While the condition is more common in dogs, cats can also develop it if they're not kept cool enough. The signs of heat stroke are very similar in both species: lethargy, shallow breathing, or gums that appear blue among other symptoms. While you should always take your pet to the vet as soon as you suspect he or she has a fever, there are some things you can do at home before making that appointment.
The signs of heat stroke are very similar in cats and dogs
Heat stroke in cats is very similar to heat stroke in dogs. The signs of heat stroke include:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Lethargy (lethargic) or weakness
- Panting, rapid breathing, and increased heart rate are also common symptoms of heatstroke. If your cat shows these symptoms, you should get them to a vet immediately so they can be examined and treated appropriately. It's important that you cool down your cat as soon as possible by moving them to a shaded area, offering them water or ice cubes if possible, and fanning them with paper towels or a towel dipped in cold water until their temperature returns closer to normal levels again before taking other steps such as taking them into the house where it will be cooler than outside -- especially if yours lives outdoors -- while still monitoring closely because if left untreated long enough there may still be some damage done despite efforts made thus far which would require further treatment later down line!
Heat stroke is a serious condition
If your cat is displaying the symptoms of heat stroke, she needs immediate medical attention. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that can be fatal if left untreated. If you notice any of these signs in your cat: redness, itching, or burning on the face or body; rapid panting; vomiting or diarrhea; muscle weakness; confusion or lethargy--get her to the vet immediately!
The best way to avoid heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses in cats is by keeping them indoors during hot weather (and making sure they have access to plenty of fresh water) and checking on them regularly so that you can catch any problems early on before they become serious.
You can help your cat by getting an accurate temperature
If you suspect your cat is suffering from heat stroke, take him or her to the veterinarian immediately. You can help your cat by getting an accurate temperature reading from your vet. Use a rectal thermometer and check the temperature every two hours until it returns to normal, then continue monitoring for 24 hours afterward. Be sure to use a digital thermometer; analog models are not as accurate and may give you an inaccurate reading.
If you do not have access to one of these devices--or if their readings seem unreliable--contact your veterinarian for guidance on how best to proceed in treating this condition. If possible, keep cool compresses on the cat's foreheads (but not eyes) while waiting for veterinary assistance; this will help reduce fever and keep them hydrated until they can see someone who knows how best to handle their symptoms
Your vet may give you medication to treat the fever
If you notice your cat is suffering from heat stroke, take him to a veterinarian immediately. While some cats will recover on their own, others require medication and treatment in order for them to recover fully.
The first thing your vet will do is give the cat fluids through an intravenous drip and check for other illnesses that may be causing symptoms similar to heat stroke (such as heart disease). If there's no underlying cause, they'll prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs in addition to treating the fever itself. In some cases, surgery may be necessary if there's severe damage from prolonged exposure or dehydration caused by vomiting or diarrhea due to illness prior to being brought into the clinic; however, this doesn't happen often since most cases are caught early enough before serious damage has been done
Watch out for symptoms like lethargy, shallow breathing, or gums that appear blue
Heat stroke is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated. If your cat shows any of these symptoms, you should get an accurate temperature reading from your vet:
- Lethargy
- Shallow breathing
- Gums that appear blue
A temperature above 103.5 degrees
Cats with feline leukemia or FIV are at an increased risk for developing heat stroke
Cats with feline leukemia or FIV are at an increased risk for developing heat stroke. These cats are more likely to be overweight, which puts them at risk for heat-related illness. They also may not have access to cool places because people with these diseases tend to stay indoors and don't get much exercise.
How can I identify heat stroke? If you see your cat panting heavily or drooling excessively, that could be a sign of heatstroke--but it could also be something else entirely (such as dental disease). If you're concerned about your pet's health, contact your veterinarian immediately!
Heat stroke can be fatal in cats
As you may know, a cat's body temperature is higher than that of a human. This means that they are more sensitive to heat and can easily overheat. If your cat spends time outside in the sun, it's important to keep an eye on them so that they don't get overheated.
Cats rely on panting as their primary way of cooling themselves down when they're hot, but this can only do so much if the temperature around them is too high or if there isn't enough moisture in the air (think: humidity). In these situations, other symptoms may be present including lethargy; difficulty breathing; dilated pupils; vomiting or diarrhea (from dehydration); low body temperature (under 101 F/38 C), and seizures due to heat stroke.
If you see any signs like these during hot weather--or even after being in direct sunlight for two hours or more--contact your veterinarian immediately!
Conclusion
Heat stroke can be fatal in cats, so it's important to identify and treat it as soon as possible. If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, take him or her to the vet immediately.