Do hot paws mean fever?

[Tallison]

I have a cat with a history of hemabartinella felix infection (treated 3.5 years ago) and slight hyperthyroidism (untreated) whose paws have been feeling very hot recently. Could this be a sign of fever? I hate to check the "traditional" route!

[Robeson]

1. Kicking so others will post who know more than I do on this....

[Tallison]

2. Thanks!

And kick again.

[demnan]

3. Re the traditional route

Some places sell pet thermometers that can take the temperature via the ear. You can check out someplace like Smith and Foster you should be able to find them.

As to the hot paw question, I don't know. But if my cat had a history of infection, I'd be feeling around the head to see if the animal was hot. Is he eating? In my experience, a cat with fever doesn't eat.

[kestrel91316]

4. Demnan gets a gold star! If the cat is eating ok and acting like it FEELS

ok, it most likely does not have a fever. Warm paws are about like damp armpits - I don't think you can infer much from them. Like the cold and wet vs warm and dry nose - meaningless.

Keep tabs on that thyroid function. If the cat was at one time borderline hyperthyroid, it will almost certainly become clinically hyperthyroid in time. And that is dangerous if not treated.

[Eurobabe]

5. My kitten has very warm paws most of the time

but he is very active, and eats fine. So I don't think there is anything out of the ordinary going on with him.

Cats' activity level and eating habits are usually the first clue to whether a vet visit is in order.

Hope everything is OK with your furkid!

[Tallison]

7. This cat is a case

He's been finicky since day #1, which was 12 years ago. Such thick fur, it hides his lack of body fat, which is minimal. Three years ago I nurtured him back to life on cantalope and Chicken Lickins. His next check up is in November.

Where on the head would you check for temperature? I'd hate to violate him unnecessarily...

Thanks for the feedback.

[demnan]

8. Near the ears where there isn't any fur

and the top of the head. It usually doesn't feel that hot. If unsure I'd take him to the vet and as I said, the petstores and online places sell thermometers where you can test on the ear. Feel the ears and see if they are warmer than usual.

[Eurobabe]

6. higher than normal body temp could be hyperthyroid

getting worse. I'd have a vet check. Poor kitty!

[MsTryska]

9. I'd guess the hyper-T is kicking in.....

does he seem more anxious and bright-eyed as well?



when my kitties hyper-t kicked in he became a furnace, and extremely bright-eyed, and on the verge of hyperventilating if you even looked at him funny.


he also had very liquidy poops. (still has them, but we're working ont hat)