How do you take a temperature?

salemwitchchild

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Puff isn't feeling well today. At this point I think he may have a hairball. I haven't given him his hairball medicine for a few days and he started throwing up this morning so I think that's it. I tried calling the vets but no answer. He seems to be breathing a little rapidly but I think that would be normal when you have a hairball and you feel like your going to vomit. He's just laying next to me right now. I'm going to keep an eye on him and if nothing improves he will go to the vet soon. I just give him the hairball medicine so hopefully that helps. I gotta remember to keep giving it to him! Especially since he's long haired.
 
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salemwitchchild

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Originally Posted by Pombina

Poor Puff
I hope he feels better soon.
The vet usually takes the temp by inserting the themometer in the anus.
Sleeves and Nismo both had it done at the vet today, they were not happy
What is a normal temp for kitties?
 

pombina

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Now that I don't know? I just did a search for you and all I found out was that it is higher than a human. Hopefully somebody will have the answer for you, but if not, give your vet a call, Im sure they will be able to advise you.
 
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salemwitchchild

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Originally Posted by Pombina

Now that I don't know? I just did a search for you and all I found out was that it is higher than a human. Hopefully somebody will have the answer for you, but if not, give your vet a call, Im sure they will be able to advise you.
I just tried calling again. No one is answering.
 

crazyforinfo

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I think it is 101.
Use Vaseline on the rectal Thermometer. I think you insert just past the tip. Wait 2-3 minutes.
 

mamakitties

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Originally Posted by SalemWitchChild

What is a normal temp for kitties?
Normal temperature is between 100.5 to 102.5. I remember asking this when my Daisy had a fever. My vet prefers around 100.5- 101.5 so when my Daisy's temp was at 102, she gave me antibiotics to help lower the temp. I'd buy those digital thermometer (10-second reading) to keep handy in the house. They even come with this plastic covering over the digital thermometer so it's sanitary also although I will just clean it with alcohol again.

Poor baby
Hope he will get well very soon. Have you consider adding fiber in his diet rather than giving him those hairball paste? I don't know what is in those things and I've never tried but I just feed my two kitties butternut squash found in the baby food section. I think grooming helps reduce hairball too.
 
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salemwitchchild

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My vet has always recommended the paste. I've never been told fiber helps? Right now he is napping by his cat tree and he hasn't vomited since this morning.
 
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salemwitchchild

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OK I've gotten some squash. I'm not sure how much to feed him but I think I got 2 mil in him. I had to do it with a syringe. He refuses to eat which is VERY abnormal for him. Normally when I bring out his food he's racing to his bowl. I took his temp but I couldn't keep him still enough. It was almost done though cuz it sat there for a few minutes on one temp. It was 101.5. I'm keeping an eye on him. If he doesn't improve by tomorrow night he will go to the vet on Monday. Hopefully he will start to improve before then.
 

jen

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Normal cat temp is 101-102.5
You lube a thermometer and insert into the cat's anus. Just the tip!
 
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salemwitchchild

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Originally Posted by Jen

Normal cat temp is 101-102.5
You lube a thermometer and insert into the cat's anus. Just the tip!
Yes I do know that. He wouldn't stay still. He got away from hubby while I was doing it.
 
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salemwitchchild

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Im thinking he may be having a problem with the new treats I got. The Benefit Bitz Salmon treats. He's ate a lot since Friday. It says 4 a day and I know he's gotten more than that. Can this cause constipation?
 

jen

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It is all about restraint. Have one person get a good grip on the cat. You can scruff him and wrap your other arm around him or just place on hand on the back of his neck to hold him down and the other arm around his body. If it is really difficult, make a kitty burrito with a towel wrapped around him. You will still need to have someone to keep him down and in place. Then have another person do the temperature taking. It is best to hold onto his tail and keep it out of the way with the same hand that is inserting the thermometer. That way if the cat jerks the thermometer doesn't pop out because you have a grip on his tail.

I just had to sit through a boring restraint video in my vet class
 
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salemwitchchild

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Puff is feeling a bit better. Maybe not 100% yet but he ate this morning and seems to be a little more active. He was very cuddly last night and purring very loudly. I think it was a tummy ache from all the salmon treats.
 

mamakitties

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Originally Posted by SalemWitchChild

My vet has always recommended the paste. I've never been told fiber helps? Right now he is napping by his cat tree and he hasn't vomited since this morning.
My vet said the paste will do but she prefers a bit more on the natural and gentle to the tummy so she said butternut squash or pumpkin (not the pie filling) will also do. I've heard some people here has given butter but if given too much, it can cause long term health problem. I had a difficult time feeding one of them butternut squash I made fresh from scratch but for some reason they loved the beechnut one (gerber was way too watery).

I think having your baby checked up with the vet is still a good idea.
 
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salemwitchchild

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Puff is feeling much better now. He's back to attacking the dog and running to any bag we shake... So he's acting his ol self again. I must remember to not give him so many of the salmon treats. Maybe salmon all together is a bad idea for him. He loves it but it doesn't seem to cope with is system.

I'm still planning on taking him to the vet soon. But I have to take care of some small debt first.
 

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I am so glad that Puff is feeling better.
It probably was the treats.

Thanks for letting us know.
 
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