Cat Preventative Care
In our previous blog – how to keep your cat cool in summer – we offered advice and techniques for coping with the very hottest weather. However even the most attentive and educated pet carer can’t always keep their cat cool, as animals will always do their own thing.
That’s why in this article we’ve worked with experts to compile a list of the warning signs of heatstroke and how to tell if your cat is overheated. It’s worth reading and remembering them, as animals can be very hardy and often don’t display their discomfort in the same ways that humans do.
So, by combining our advice and tips with these warning signs, your vigilance can save the day and enable you to get your pet to the vets in time should you ever need to. Cat overheating symptoms to watch out for:
- An elevated body temperature
- Bloody diarrhoea
- Bright or dark red tongue and gums
- Collapse
- Excessive drooling
- Excessive thirst
- Glazed eyes
- Heavy panting or rapid breathing
- Increased pulse and heartbeat
- Little to no urine production
- Seizures
- Staggering and stumbling
- Unconsciousness
- Vomiting
- Weakness
Dealing with heatstroke in cats
Kittens and older cats are particularly at risk of heatstroke, although felines of every age and type can be afflicted. Should you spot any of the symptoms above, it is imperative that you act immediately by getting your pet to the nearest vets as quickly as you can.
You may also wish to take the following measures:
- Apply or spray cool or tepid water onto the animal’s skin before fanning them to maximise heat loss
- Wet down the area around your pet (do not use ice cold water as this may exacerbate the problem)
Even if these actions appear to help, you should still take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as you can. After checking your pet’s temperature and vitals, they are likely to do the following:
- Place your pet on an intravenous drip
- Apply cooling treatments
- Supplement them with additional oxygen
- Perform blood tests to check their organ function
Such treatments can be life-saving and will give your pet the best possible chance of recovering from their trauma.
Keep your cat safe this summer by following our top tips, as well as ensuring that you’re fully familiar with the signs of heatstroke in cats in case it should ever strike. Both your preventative measures and prompt actions could make all the difference to their well-being when the hot weather hits.
