Can cats get hypothermia after surgery?

As a cat owner, I know how much cats rely on us to keep them safe and comfortable, especially when they are vulnerable. 

A couple of months ago, my cat Nala, needed a procedure that required her to go under anesthesia. My heart raced, knowing that there are risks involved, one of which is hypothermia. It's easy to think that cats, with  their fur coats, can handle the cold, but under anesthesia, their ability to regulate temperature is compromised.

I’ve learned that hypothermia can happen unexpectedly during surgery, and it’s something I never want to overlook. That’s why it’s so important to understand how to prevent and manage it, ensuring that my cat stays warm, safe, and recovers quickly.

In this blog, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about how hypothermia affects cats, the signs to watch for, and the best ways to protect them during surgery or any procedure.

Because, just like me I know you’ll also want all the information to keep your cat safe. .

Understanding Thermoregulation in Cats

Thermoregulation is how cats maintain their body temperature. They keep their internal temperature stable, even when the environment changes. This is crucial because their body functions, like metabolism, work best within a specific temperature range. A healthy cat usually has a body temperature of around 101–102.5°F (38.3–39.2°C). If their temperature drops too low, it can cause problems like hypothermia, especially after surgery.

The Physiology of Thermoregulation

Cats regulate their temperature using several processes:

• Sweating: Cats sweat a little, mostly from their paws, but not enough to cool them down significantly.

• Shivering: When they get cold, they shiver to generate heat.

• Blood Flow: The blood vessels near the skin can widen or shrink to either release or conserve heat.

The brain’s hypothalamus is like a thermostat, constantly checking and adjusting the body temperature to stay within that healthy range.

Thermal Balance and Heat Loss

Thermal balance is the balance between heat produced and heat lost. Cats lose heat in four main ways:

• Radiation: Heat leaves the body into the air around it.

• Convection: Heat transfers to cooler air or surfaces the cat is in contact with.

• Evaporation: Moisture (like sweat) on the skin evaporates and takes heat with it.

• Conduction: Heat moves directly to cooler surfaces the cat touches.

During surgery, cats can lose heat quickly because of factors like shaved areas, cold surgical tables, or chilly operating rooms.

What Is Anesthetic-Induced Hypothermia in Cats?

Anesthetic-induced hypothermia occurs when a cat’s body temperature drops too low because of anesthesia. Anesthesia affects the part of the brain that controls body temperature, making it harder for the cat to stay warm during surgery.

Hypothermia Under General Anesthesia

When a cat is under general anesthesia, the body’s ability to regulate temperature is weakened. Normally, the cat would shiver to stay warm, but anesthesia stops that from happening. As a result, they may lose heat faster than they can generate it.

How Anesthetic-Induced Hypothermia Happens

• Reduced shivering: Anesthesia prevents the cat from shivering, so they can’t generate heat.

• Wider blood vessels: Anesthesia causes the blood vessels to widen, letting warm blood flow to the skin, which loses heat faster.

• Lower metabolism: Anesthesia slows the cat’s metabolism, meaning their body isn’t producing heat as efficiently.

Incidence of Hypothermia in Cats

Hypothermia is common during surgery. According to research, about 50% of cats experience some form of hypothermia during anesthesia. The severity can range from mild to severe, and if not addressed, it can lead to complications like longer recovery times or a weakened immune system.

Causes and Risk Factors for Cat Hypothermia After Surgery

Several factors increase the risk of hypothermia after surgery in cats. Understanding these risks can help prevent the condition.

What Contributes to Hypothermia?

1. Small body size and low fat: Smaller cats or those with less body fat are more likely to lose heat quickly.

2. Shaved surgical areas: When the fur is shaved for surgery, the cat loses the insulation that helps keep them warm.

3. Cold operating rooms: Surgery rooms are often cold to protect the equipment and surgical team, but this makes it harder for cats to stay warm.

4. Longer surgeries: The longer the surgery, the longer the cat is under anesthesia, and the more likely they are to become hypothermic.

Anesthesia-Related Factors

• Type of anesthetic drugs: Some anesthetics affect the body’s temperature regulation more than others.

• Cold fluids: If fluids are given without being warmed, they can cool the cat’s body down even more.

• Less shivering: Anesthesia dulls the body’s shivering response, which is the natural way to generate heat.

Side Effects of Cat Hypothermia 

Hypothermia in cats, especially after surgery, can cause serious health issues. It doesn’t just make them cold – it affects their body’s ability to function properly. When a cat’s body temperature drops too low, it can slow down their heart, impair their immune system, and delay their recovery.

Physiological Effects of Hypothermia

Hypothermia in cats slows down vital bodily functions, which include the following:

Cardiovascular Effects (Bradycardia, Hypotension)

When a cat gets cold, its heart rate slows down (bradycardia) and its blood pressure drops (hypotension). This makes it harder for the blood to carry oxygen and nutrients to important organs, which can lead to complications.

Delayed Drug Metabolism

Hypothermia slows down the liver, making it harder to break down anesthetic drugs. As a result, these drugs stay in the cat’s system longer, and the cat may take more time to wake up from surgery.

Impaired Immune Response

A drop in body temperature weakens the immune system. After surgery, when the cat’s body needs to fight off infections, hypothermia makes it harder for the immune system to work properly, increasing the risk of infections and slowing recovery.

Negative Effects of Hypothermia

Hypothermia can lead to increased surgical complications and delayed wound healing, making recovery more difficult.

Increased Surgical Complications

Hypothermic cats are more likely to have issues during surgery, like excessive bleeding, irregular heartbeats, or problems with wound closure. These complications can make surgery harder and recovery slower.

Delayed Wound Healing

When a cat is hypothermic, its blood flow slows down, making it harder for the body to heal. This leads to slower wound healing and a higher chance of infection.

Feline Anesthesia: Protocol, Side Effects, and Complications

Anesthesia is often needed for cats during surgeries or medical procedures. While it’s generally safe, it requires careful planning. The right anesthesia protocol ensures the cat’s safety, but there are risks of side effects or complications, so it’s important to monitor the cat closely before, during, and after the procedure.

Pre-Anesthetic Evaluation

Before giving anesthesia, the vet will perform a pre-anesthetic evaluation. This includes a physical exam and blood tests to check the cat’s health. This step helps identify any issues, like heart or kidney problems, that might affect how the cat responds to anesthesia. It's crucial to ensure the cat is healthy enough for the procedure.

Premedication

This involves giving the cat calming and pain-relieving medications before anesthesia. These drugs help the cat relax and make the anesthesia process smoother. 

Induction of Anesthesia

Induction is the process of making the cat unconscious. This is usually done by giving an injection of anesthetic drugs through an IV (intravenous line). The goal is to smoothly transition the cat into a deep, pain-free sleep. 

Monitoring Anesthesia in Felines

Once the cat is under anesthesia, the vet continuously monitors vital signs like heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and oxygen levels. This close monitoring ensures that if something goes wrong, the vet can adjust the anesthesia to keep the cat safe.

Anesthesia Complications in Cats

While anesthesia is generally safe, there are some complications that can happen:

Hypotension or low blood pressure is common under anesthesia. It can happen because anesthetic drugs relax blood vessels, making it harder for blood to flow to important organs. If blood pressure drops too much, the vet may give fluids or adjust the anesthesia to help stabilize it.

Hypothermia or a drop in body temperature, can occur during surgery because anesthesia makes it harder for cats to regulate their body heat. This can slow recovery and make the cat more prone to infections. The vet will monitor the cat’s temperature and use warming devices like heated blankets to keep it stable.

Also read: Hypothermia in cats

Hyperthermia or an increase in body temperature, can also happen, though it’s less common. It may occur if the cat gets too warm during surgery. 

Monitoring Your Cat When You’re Not Home

Monitoring a cat’s temperature during surgery is important, but the risk of hypothermia doesn’t end once the procedure is over. The first 24–48 hours after surgery are especially critical, as cats may struggle to regulate their body temperature while recovering from anesthesia.

Whether you're at work or a sitter is taking care of your cat, it can be challenging to detect subtle yet significant changes. Tools like the Waggle pet camera allow you to check in on your cat remotely, so you can see if they’re resting comfortably, staying warm, or behaving unusually. Watching their movement, posture, and activity level can help you spot early signs that something may not be right.

A camera doesn’t replace veterinary care, but it gives you peace of mind and an extra way to stay connected to your cat during recovery—especially when you can’t be home with them.

What is Rewarming?

Rewarming is the process of gradually raising a cat's body temperature back to normal after it has dropped due to hypothermia. This is a critical step after surgery or during anesthesia, as it helps restore proper bodily functions and prevents complications caused by prolonged cold stress.

Methods of Rewarming Hypothermic Cats

Rewarming a hypothermic cat involves a combination of techniques, depending on the severity of the temperature drop. The goal is to safely increase the body temperature without causing shock or further stress to the cat's system.

Passive Warming

Involves allowing the cat’s body to warm up naturally by reducing the external cooling factors. This includes removing any cold coverings and placing the cat in a warmer environment.

Active Warming

Uses external heat sources to directly raise the cat's body temperature. Common methods include heating pads, warm water blankets, or air warming systems.

Active Core Warming

This targets the cat’s core body temperature, which is the most important area to focus on when rewarming. This can be done using warmed intravenous fluids or specialized devices like thermal blankets.

Complications of Rewarming in Cats

Rewarming a hypothermic cat must be done carefully, as rapid rewarming can lead to complications. If the body is warmed too quickly, it can cause cardiovascular instability, where blood pressure and heart rate fluctuate dangerously. There’s also a risk of shivering or electrolyte imbalances, which can make the cat’s recovery even more complicated. It’s important to monitor the cat closely during the rewarming process to avoid these issues and ensure a smooth recovery.

Techniques for Maintaining Body Temperature in Cats

Maintaining a stable body temperature in cats, especially during surgery or anesthesia, is crucial to their health and recovery. Several techniques are used to prevent hypothermia and ensure the cat stays warm:

1. Warming Devices

2. Fluid Warmers

3. Environmental Control

4. Minimizing Exposure

By using these methods, veterinarians can effectively maintain the cat’s body temperature during surgeries or anesthesia, promoting a smoother recovery.

Conclusion

Hypothermia in cats, especially under anesthesia or during surgery, is a serious concern. However, with proper pre-anesthetic evaluation, active monitoring, and the use of warming techniques, the risks of hypothermia can be minimized. Understanding how to manage and prevent hypothermia, along with knowing the proper rewarming techniques, can help ensure that cats recover safely and comfortably after their procedures. Always consult with a veterinarian to make sure the best methods are used to maintain your cat’s body temperature.

FAQs

1. How do I know if my cat is hypothermic after surgery?

Signs of hypothermia in cats include shivering, lethargy, slow heart rate, and cold extremities. If you notice these signs, contact your vet immediately.

2. Can hypothermia be prevented during surgery?

Yes, hypothermia can be prevented by maintaining a warm environment, using heated blankets, and warming fluids before they are administered during surgery.

3. Is rewarming safe for cats?

Rewarming should be done gradually and carefully. Rapid rewarming can cause complications. It’s important to monitor the cat closely and use safe methods like warm blankets or heated fluids.

4. What are the long-term effects of hypothermia on a cat?

If severe hypothermia is not treated, it can cause long-term damage to organs, a weakened immune system, and a longer recovery time. In extreme cases, it can be fatal.