5 Signs of Inflammation in Cats

Inflammation is a protective reaction of the body, but it can become very painful. Cats hide their pain as best they can. Therefore, it is important to know the five typical signs of inflammation in cats.

Inflammation is the body’s protective response to injury and can occur in any organ. Inflammations in cats usually go undetected for a long time because they hide their pain well and the inflammation is often covered by thick fur. It is likely that every cat will experience an infection at least once in its life.

This is How Inflammation Occurs in Cats

Inflammation in cats always occurs where the body has been damaged by an injury. The task of the inflammation is to limit the damage and repair it: Immune cells send out an emergency call directly at the site of the injury, which sets various processes in motion. The blood vessels dilate, white and red blood cells move in to break down and remove damaged tissue. Gaping wounds are stabilized with protein threads, while pathogens that have penetrated are rendered harmless. All these processes are associated with five typical signs of inflammation, which are sometimes more, sometimes less pronounced.

The 5 Signs of Inflammation in Cats

These five symptoms can be an indication that your cat has an infection.

• Redness

Reddening of the skin is one of the first signs of inflammation. Avascular reaction to inflammation is responsible for this. Redness is easy to spot on sparsely hairy areas of the body or mucous membranes but initially goes unnoticed under thick cat fur.

• Heat

The vasodilatation and increased blood flow to the injured area lead to overheating of the tissue. In contrast, when the cat has a fever, the entire body temperature is elevated. In cats, the normal body temperature is between 38 and 39.2 degrees Celsius. Fever accompanies many infectious diseases.

• Loss of Function

Inflammation disrupts the function of the affected organ. This becomes clear, for example, in the case of joint diseases (arthritis) in cats, which are associated with lameness and stiffness. Even when inflammation heals, the scar tissue that remains can still limit organ function.

• Swelling

Inflammatory swelling occurs when blood plasma and white blood cells collect at the site of inflammation. The tissue swells and becomes sensitive to pain. Swollen lymph nodes can indicate infection. Not every lump is an inflammation, which is why any suspicious increase in size should generally be clarified by the veterinarian.

• Pain

The increased tissue pressure and the release of the hormone histamine irritate the nerve endings around the focus of inflammation. The result is a throbbing pain that cats can often endure and hide for a long time. Pain is a major stress factor for cats, which is why appropriate therapy is particularly necessary. If the cat neglects its grooming, this is always a warning sign.

Cats Suffer From These Inflammations Particularly Often

Cats can get different types of inflammation, both internal and external:

Inflammation in The Cat’s Body

Inflammation raging inside the cat’s body can only be tracked down by the veterinarian through a thorough physical examination and evaluation of the blood values. These inflammations are particularly common in cats:

• bladder infections caused by stress
• chronic inflammatory bowel disease
• inflammation of the pancreas

External Inflammation in Cats

External inflammation, for example as a result of bite injuries, can usually be seen or felt with the naked eye due to the resulting reddening and swelling. So that they can heal smoothly, the cat must not scratch or lick itself there. A neck brace or body is therefore mandatory. Accumulations of pus may only be opened by a vet – otherwise, there is a risk of blood poisoning!

Support the Healing Process in Inflammation

Acute inflammation in cats usually heals well, but it can become chronic if the trigger is not completely eliminated. In addition to medications prescribed by the veterinarian, the right diet for the cat can help.

Antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids are said to help prevent inflammation. Many cat foods are already fortified with antioxidants. Antioxidants include vitamins C and E, carotenoids, selenium, zinc, copper, and bioflavonoids. Omega-3 fatty acids can be given to cats by adding a few drops of fish oil to their feed.

In the case of inflammation, it is generally advisable to ask the veterinarian about additional measures for the healing process.