Hot Face?

Simon, for the last few days, has had a hot face.

His face is hot - specifically, his nose and lips. If he were a child, I'd think he was running a fever. I'll lean over and kiss him, on his lips and nose...and they just seem hotter than the other cats.

HOWEVER! The reason I'm posting and not at the vet's is that everything else is perfectly normal - brilliant shenanigans, completely ravenous (I think he's going through a growth spurt), normal waste elimination, and utterly energetic; exactly as a 7 month old kit should be. And there isn't any pain anywhere on his body - I've felt all over, and there is no reaction whatsoever (except to think we're having a game of attack the hand...).

Any idea? Can he have a fever and not show any other symptoms whatsoever? Can he be ill and I'm just missing it? Or is he just a hot kitty?

Best-
Michele

I think it would be worth checking his temperature. Do you have a thermometer for your cats? And someone to help hold him? If not, maybe a trip to the vet is in order, since you really can't tell by feel if they have a temp. Cats are experts at hiding illness, so he may be acting normally even if he has a fever, although if he was very ill he would at least stop playing so much. But if he doesn't have a rectal temperature above 102.5, then I bet he is just fine and you have cold hands.
Becky

Cats are experts at hiding illness, so he may be acting normally even if he has a fever, although if he was very ill he would at least stop playing so much.

Click to expand...

And that's exactly it...he's jumping onto the washer to say goodbye and jumping up to say hello....he "helped" me scoop kibble (he assists the scoop in pouring it out into the dishes...), ate dinner, came for a cuddle, and he's right now chasing a shadow behind the curtains...totally normal.

Dunno...no, I don't have a cat thermometer. Is it an anal thermo that I can buy at the store? He would let me take his temp without any issue...he won't like it, but he wouldn't give me grief about it. Is that the sort I should go get? And what would be a "normal" temp?

Thanks...it's just baffling.

Best-
Michele

Michele, please check your kitty's temperature right away. It's simple and you must do it. Normal temp in a kitty is 102. He could have an internal infection of sorts that hasn't manifested itself yet.

I would have him checked at the vet anyway. The only time Chuckie felt warmer than the other kitties I took him to the vet and he did have a fever.

You can buy an electronic thermometer and donate it to your cats. You need some type of lubricant, KY jelly, vaseline or just cooking oil will work. I put the kitty on the washing machine since it is slippery and they can't get traction to leave. Stand Simon on the washer or counter with his head toward your left armpit and snug him up against your body with your left arm. Hold his tail at the base with your left hand and insert the thermometer with your right hand about a half inch but no more than an inch into his rectum. Wait until it beeps. Normal cat temps are from 101 to 102.5.
Becky

Thanks, Becky. I'll get one in the morning, and take it just to be sure. And yes, it would only be used for el gatos...no doubt. Ewwwwwwwww.....but he'll be all right. He's tolerant about that sort of stuff.

Thanks, all. I do appreciate these forums. Man, no question about it.

Best-
Michele

He may not be quite so tolerant once you stick something up his butt! I am always amazed at how tight they can shut things down back there, too. Good luck. Becky

You only need to insert it an inch if that. Just in case you wondered.

Yes, Hissy, that was going to be the next question...just how far are you supposed to go? Thanks for anticipating me.

And Becky, I could easily be wrong...I don't think many cats would tolerate something in their bottom easily. But I can hope, you know?

LOL...

Best-
Michele

Normal....101.2

And no, he wasn't terribly tolerant...but didn't try to kill me. LOL. He yelled at me, but that was it.

I guess he just has a hot face.

Best-
Michele

It was good that you took his temp. That is the only true way to know of a cat having a fever or not, even the appearance of the third eyelid that happens when a cat has a high fever, is not a true indication that the cat has a fever, because the third eyelid is also a sign of dehydration.

Just a tip: there are now "ear scan" thermometers for pets. My vet was sceptical about them, but after making several comparisons, she decided the readings were just as accurate. I find them much easier to use than rectal thermometers, and use mine all the time at the cat shelter.

My vet would disagree with yours. She said that due to the shape of a cat's ear canal, it is very hard to get the scanner to line up with the tympanic membrane for an accurate temp. She does use it for screening but if it reads over 101.5 or if she just thinks she wants an accurate temp, she goes for the rectal.
When I worked in pediatrics we found the same thing. All the studies by the thermometer companies said they were accurate, but we did our own study and they are not. They frequently read low. I suppose in the studies the best technique is used, but in real life they just didn't cut it. Becky