Fever

The definition of a fever in dogs and cats is any temperature above 102.5. However, pets routinely have low grade fevers (up to 103.0) due to excitement and stress. Prolonged fevers can cause dehydration and anorexia, and very high fevers (>106.0) can lead to death.

Cats: feline leukemia, FIP, FIV, herpesvirus, abscesses, kidney infection, cancer, pneumonia, pancreatitis, cholangiohepatitis, fever of unknown originDogs: bacterial or fungal infections of any organ, Ehrlichia, Lyme disease, prostate disease, immune-mediated disease, or cancerThis list is not complete but reflects the most common causes of fever. Sometimes the cause of a fever may not be identified-this is quite common in cats.

Symptoms of a fever is general malaise, anorexia and depression. Other clinical signs are usually present and depend on the underlying cause of the fever.

More attention is usually directed at finding the cause of the fever rather than trying to treat the fever, unless the fever is very high or the patient is very ill. As noted before, sometimes a diagnosis is not reached. This is called Fever of Unknown Origin and is frustrating for both veterinarian and owner. Most pets are treated with fluids if necessary and antibiotics. If an actual cause can be found, that disease will be treated accordingly if possible.