Can a cat get the flu?

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Tracy - 24 Jan 2004 02:52 GMT

My newer cat is a former feral. She's a sweetie, but after 5 months
here, there's still no picking her up. She's not into being restrained
(and I have the gouges to prove it). Anyhow, in the last few days,
both cats have had tummy issues - the original cat was sad and
lethargic for a day, barfed in the kitchen and is now bopping around
as usual. But the newer cat went down about the same time the first
one pepped up. It's been 24 hours and she is pretty much curled in a
ball on the sofa or the bed, and not eating. She's responsive to
noise, does not appear to be in any noticeable pain, but has a
slightly dazed look on her face and a dry nose. She will walk to the
litterbox and from the couch to the bed, but very, very slowly. She
actually looks exactly like me when I have the flu.

When she is full-strength, it is almost impossible to put her in a
carrier, but that may not be the case currently. I have hydrated her
with an eye dropper, so she is getting some water.

I will take her to the vet if there is no improvement in the next 24
hours, but this cat gets incredibly traumatized by restraint, so I
truly hate to put her through this, especially when she is feeling ill
and vulnerable.

Is it possible that she just has a fever and this will break? Or do
cat illnesses not work that way?

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MacCandace - 24 Jan 2004 03:26 GMT

<< Is it possible that she just has a fever and this will break? Or do
cat illnesses not work that way? >>

I don't know, I think they can be "under the weather" or "off" for a day or 2
but, if they have a temp, I think they need antibiotics from the vet.
Although, I will admit, I have wondered what happened to the countless cats in
the past, before vets, who had fevers, infections. Surely some of them can
fight it off and get better on their own but you don't want your cat getting
too sick or dehydrated or not eating. Cats can get very ill if they don''t eat
for more than 24 hours. I'd certainly get her in tomorrow if there's no
improvement. Is her third eyelid showing?

Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)

See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace

"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
than human." (Loren Eisely)

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D - 24 Jan 2004 05:55 GMT

My cat Panchito is going through the same thing. 8 Days into it and he is
starting to come around. Keep in mind he MUST have at least 1 cup of water
a day. I have been force feeding him with baby food mixed with pedialyte
and giving him 1 cup of fluids per day. It's really hard to do. He has
been to the vets 2 time and emergency 1 time in the last week.

Lab tests came back as a serious infection but X-rays do not show any
inflamed or swollen organs. All other labs were perfect and no major feline
diseases. He has been and antibiotics for 6 days now. He was very
lethargic, dazed, and just starring into blank. He had a high fever that
fluctuated between 103.5-104.5. He is a strictly indoor cat for the last 8
years too!

You must take her to the vets immediately if her nose is dry and his ears
and paw pads are hot. She has a fever! Fever is a good indicator of
infection. Ask for the full lab tests for all organs and for all major
feline diseases. If possible get subcutaneous fluids to help with the
dehydration. Most vets are open part days on Sat. Please take her ASAP! I
couldnt stand to see my baby like that.

D

--

Believe nothing because a wise man said it.
Believe nothing because it is generally held.
Believe nothing because it is written.
Believe nothing because it is said to be divine.
Believe nothing because someone else believes it.
But believe only what you yourself judge to be true.
-- Gautama Buddha

> My newer cat is a former feral. She's a sweetie, but after 5 months
> here, there's still no picking her up. She's not into being restrained
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> Is it possible that she just has a fever and this will break? Or do
> cat illnesses not work that way?

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Tracy - 24 Jan 2004 15:32 GMT

It's the next day and I woke up to see her scarfing food by the side
of the bed. Reached down to pet her ans she took evasive action - at
her usual rate of speed.

I think we're out of the woods :

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Priscilla Ballou - 24 Jan 2004 22:19 GMT

> It's the next day and I woke up to see her scarfing food by the side
> of the bed. Reached down to pet her ans she took evasive action - at
> her usual rate of speed.
>
> I think we're out of the woods :>

When my former feral boy, Sebbie, was new to my household, he was
lethargic one morning and refused food. I panicked and whipped him off
to the local animal emergency room, where they admitted him and kept him
for the weekend. Two days and over $400 later, he was feeling better
and they told me to take him home. It was written off as "fever of
unknown origin."

So, whatcha gonna spend those $400 on, since you didn't have to spend
them on your kitty? ;-)

Priscilla

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Karen Chuplis - 24 Jan 2004 23:20 GMT

>> It's the next day and I woke up to see her scarfing food by the side
>> of the bed. Reached down to pet her ans she took evasive action - at
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Priscilla

Yes, that has happened with Sugar too.

Karen

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Laura R. - 25 Jan 2004 04:01 GMT

circa Sat, 24 Jan 2004 22:19:12 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
Priscilla Ballou (vze23t8n@verizon.net) said,

> > It's the next day and I woke up to see her scarfing food by the side
> > of the bed. Reached down to pet her ans she took evasive action - at
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> So, whatcha gonna spend those $400 on, since you didn't have to spend
> them on your kitty? ;-)

About a year after Oscar's littermate died of hepatic lipidosis at
the age of four, Oscar was sleeping on the arm of the couch one night
and looked "pale" to me. Mind you, he's a buff-colored cat, so
"pale" is kinda technically what color he is. <G>

I rushed him in to the emergency vet, whereupon I was told that no,
he was just fine, and just because his nose didn't look as pink as
usual didn't mean he was sick. ;-)

Laura

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m. L. Briggs - 25 Jan 2004 01:04 GMT

>It's the next day and I woke up to see her scarfing food by the side
>of the bed. Reached down to pet her ans she took evasive action - at
>her usual rate of speed.
>
>I think we're out of the woods :>

That is good news. There are all kinds of germs around. I hope she
continues to improve.

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