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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / July 2007Cats and Colds
So you have a kitten who is sneezing. You figure, just like a person, he probably has a cold that will run its course and then he will be fine. Why take him to the vet? After all, this is the case with people, so why not cats? Unlike humans, cats have very small nasal passages relative to their bodies, that fill up quickly. Unlike humans, cats lose their appetites easily when they lose their senses of smell. Unlike humans, cats can get into trouble very quickly if they stop eating even for a few days. Why? There are many reasons I will not pretend to know all of them. One is that cats get a lot of their moisture from food---they have different drinking habits than we do. So they can get dehydrated more quickly. When the do, they feel really lousy and the original problem is exacerbated because when they feel really lousy they don't WANT to eat. These are good enough reasons for most people who care about their cats to take them in when they see signs of a cold or "URI" (upper respiratory infection) so that the vet can prescribe something to lessen the congestion, help with other symptoms of the cold, and help make sure that a common cold does not turn into a more serious infection.  SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com > Unlike humans, cats lose their appetites easily when they lose their senses > of smell. Yes, that happened to a cat of mine and I took her to the vet. She had cryptococcus and after over a year of medicine costing thousands of dollars she is fine. > Unlike humans, cats can get into trouble very quickly if they stop eating > even for a few days. Yes she did stop eating, I had to syringe feed her for a month. BUT THIS HASN'T HAPPENED TO ANY OF THE CURRENT CATS THAT ARE SNEEZING. > These are good enough reasons for most people who care about their cats to > take them in when they see signs of a cold or "URI" (upper respiratory > infection) so that the vet can prescribe something to lessen the congestion, > help with other symptoms of the cold, and help make sure that a common cold > does not turn into a more serious infection. Well, most of the vet sites I checked beg to differ. If the cat is eating, active, not depressed and has no thick nasal discharge they can just be watched. ITS ALL ABOUT GOING TO THE VET WHEN APPROPRIATE, NOT EVERY TIME YOUR CAT LOOKS AT YOU CROSSEYED. THATS IT WITH YOU CYBER. PLONK! >> Unlike humans, cats lose their appetites easily when they lose their >> senses of smell. [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > THATS IT WITH YOU CYBER. PLONK! ow lol SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com But Cybercat all that would be some what common sense or if some one that took the time to do a little resaerch instead of comming to the groups and making smart comments Since they have the internet they can easily google feline sneezing and get these results http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=feline+sneezing or they can google feline upper respiratory infection and get these results http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=feline+upper+respiratory+infection&btnG=Search I glad people come and ask for help but when will they realize that we are not vets and the best way to insure the health of their furballs is to take them to a trusted vet; who are trained to evaluate and treat problems. All we can do is give our experience with certain matters like my self who can give experience of having a prodactyl cat, an epileptic cat and a diabetic cat If you own a furball it is you responsibility to make sure to take care of them. I always love the excuse we don't have the money sometimes I can believe that; it is the truth, but sacrifices need to be made how much did you just spend to go out and eat or buy that 6 pack or that pack of smokes. I make a rule even though I have enough money to pay for any vet bill that comes up before this time I always took about $10 a cat per month and put it away in a savings account. If I had to take a daily work daily pay job in between my regular job I did it. I did not use that money for anything just kept adding to it. It came in handy many of times when I needed money and did not have extra to use. I remember many of nights eating a 20 cent rice bag and those 5 cents noodles packs for the fur babies need to eat and be taken care of. Maybe I am just from a different age and was raised to do the right thing. > But Cybercat all that would be some what common sense or if some one that > took the time to do a little resaerch instead of comming to the groups and [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > be taken care of. Maybe I am just from a different age and was raised to do > the right thing. Before you shove the innuendo around that I was not raised to do the right thing re-read the original post. These are a stray mother and the kittens she had on my back porch. I put them in a room in my house. I have already had them vaccinated and spayed / neutered. So I am doing the right thing. I suppose I should have sprayed the garden hose on them when they were on the porch and scared them off. Then jerks like you wouldn't be implying that I am too cheap to take them to the vet because they wouldn't be here. If I was cheap they would have gone to animal control and been put down the first day I saw them. JERK "w" <tabby@grmail.bolivia.com> What did I imply? Did I mention your name? or is it just your own guilty conscience getting the best of you. I made a general view of people coming to the group. You are not the first that has complained about money and you won't be the last it was a generalized view but If the truth hurts that is your own conscience winning out And making the last comment that you made! Do you really think anyone will really give care what you think? All we care about id the health and well being of the furballs. If I am jerk for telling the truth than I am a jerk and I will be proud of it. But it looks like my words by your comments already did more good than you will ever let on. > "w" <tabby@grmail.bolivia.com> > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > But it looks like my words by your comments already did more good than you > will ever let on. Have you figured out what kind of help it wants? It clearly said, "HELP" in the original post. That is all I asked it. Sheesh, people are so touchy. SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com > But Cybercat all that would be some what common sense or if some one that > took the time to do a little resaerch instead of comming to the groups and [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > If you own a furball it is you responsibility to make sure to take care of > them. I always love the excuse we don't have the money sometimes I can My husband and I *LOVE* going to the movies - it's really our only form of entertainment. When we decided to adopt three more cats to add to the three in our current clowder, we knew they were all sick with URIs and knew we'd have to up for the vet expenses, so we decided to forgo movie outings for a few months - no great hardship, just par for the course if you love your cats! Hugs, CatNipped > believe that; it is the truth, but sacrifices need to be made how much > did you just spend to go out and eat or buy that 6 pack or that pack of [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > fur babies need to eat and be taken care of. Maybe I am just from a > different age and was raised to do the right thing. Catnipped I think that everyone that truly loves their children human or furball will sacrifice what ever it takes. I know I have and still will do what ever it takes >> But Cybercat all that would be some what common sense or if some one >> that took the time to do a little resaerch instead of comming to the [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] >> the fur babies need to eat and be taken care of. Maybe I am just from a >> different age and was raised to do the right thing. > Catnipped I think that everyone that truly loves their children human or > furball will sacrifice what ever it takes. I know I have and still will > do what ever it takes You bet, that is what real love is. Love is never selfish. SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com > These are good enough reasons for most people who care about their cats to > take them in when they see signs of a cold or "URI" (upper respiratory > infection) so that the vet can prescribe something to lessen the congestion, > help with other symptoms of the cold, and help make sure that a common cold > does not turn into a more serious infection. I wish vets could help with the congestion. We've gone through bouts of URI viruses here, and the scariest is when they can hardly breathe and can't eat. The vets (including the emergency vet) have never prescribed a decongestant -- I thought it was because there is not one for cats. They have always told me the virus has to run it's course and we just have to try to strengthen the immune system. We had to buy the stinkiest food imaginable and tackle it that way. For kittens and older cats they have prescribed antibiotics in case it was traveling into their chests, and we have at times done antibiotic eye drops when their eyes get infected. I never know what to do about the congestion. Vets have told me to put them in the bathroom while we shower. When our diabetic cat stopped eating (which nearly gave me heart failure) I spent lots of time with him under a towel, the both of us over a boiling pan of water. I ended up force-feeding him for days. If anyone knows of decongestants for cats, I hope I never have to use them but I would love to know. Rhonda > I wish vets could help with the congestion. > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > If anyone knows of decongestants for cats, I hope I never have to use them > but I would love to know. Maybe Phil--your favorite guy--has some ideas. I know that when I give Gracie Chlortrimeton for her allergies, the "thickness" in her purr decreases--after she wakes up from sleeping 26 hours a day instead of 23! But I am sure it would not work the same for a UTI. It seems to me there must be a down side to using decongestants on cats. Because lungs are lungs, you know? But then, I know cat physiology is very different from human physiology. > For kittens and older cats they have prescribed antibiotics in > case it was traveling into their chests, and we have at times > done antibiotic eye drops when their eyes get infected. Same here - Rhett and Scarlett had a couple of rounds of antibiotics but only if the nasal discharge was ? Clear? Yellow? I can't remember which, but I tend to think yellow. Other times, no antibiotics at all, but yes on the eye drops or more commonly for them, ointment. > I never know what to do about the congestion. Vets have told me > to put them in the bathroom while we shower. When our diabetic > cat stopped eating (which nearly gave me heart failure) I spent > lots of time with him under a towel, the both of us over a > boiling pan of water. I ended up force-feeding him for days. I know how scary that can be and it takes a lot of dedication to get them through that! > If anyone knows of decongestants for cats, I hope I never have > to use them but I would love to know. Our vet prescribed Chlor-Trimaton several times, even for kittens. Just a very small dose 1x per day until the breathing clears. It worked wonders. For Bonnie, who sometimes gets a runny nose this time of year, she will get an injectable antihistamine from the vet. Fast-acting and seemingly long-lasting for her. It only takes one shot when it happens. SignatureCheryl >> If anyone knows of decongestants for cats, I hope I never have >> to use them but I would love to know. > > Our vet prescribed Chlor-Trimaton several times, even for kittens. > Just a very small dose 1x per day until the breathing clears. It > worked wonders. This is good to know, I wasn't sure if it was just for allergies. It seems anything that dries out the body in general would help dry up congestion some. >For Bonnie, who sometimes gets a runny nose this > time of year, she will get an injectable antihistamine from the > vet. Fast-acting and seemingly long-lasting for her. It only takes > one shot when it happens. Next time you go, if you think of it, will you ask the vet what the name of that is? >>For Bonnie, who sometimes gets a runny nose this >> time of year, she will get an injectable antihistamine from the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Next time you go, if you think of it, will you ask the vet what > the name of that is? I looked it up in her file and it says IDiphenhyd INJ. 50mg .25 $8 So based on the rest of the receipt, she got 1/4 of a 50mg dose because I think the .25 is in the "Quantity" column. I hope that sounds right; I really can't decipher this. Basically, it's injectable Benadryl (Diphenhydramine). SignatureCheryl >>>For Bonnie, who sometimes gets a runny nose this >>> time of year, she will get an injectable antihistamine from the [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > sounds right; I really can't decipher this. Basically, it's > injectable Benadryl (Diphenhydramine). I thought Benadryl caused antihistamine toxicosis in cats. I can't remember to be positive but I think I remember my vet saying never give any to cats > I thought Benadryl caused antihistamine toxicosis in cats. I > can't remember to be positive but I think I remember my vet > saying never give any to cats I never bothered to look it up since the vet has given it to her three years in a row now, just once at this time of year. At the spay/neuter clinic where they do vaccinations they also use Benadryl for those animals who've had a reaction to a vaccine. So just saying I've not heard of that but it's worth researching. Thanks for the heads-up Matthew. SignatureCheryl Thanks, Cheryl. I will ask the vet about that next time, if there is a next time! Rhonda > Our vet prescribed Chlor-Trimaton several times, even for kittens. > Just a very small dose 1x per day until the breathing clears. It > worked wonders. For Bonnie, who sometimes gets a runny nose this > time of year, she will get an injectable antihistamine from the > vet. Fast-acting and seemingly long-lasting for her. It only takes > one shot when it happens. >> These are good enough reasons for most people who care about their cats >> to take them in when they see signs of a cold or "URI" (upper respiratory [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > I wish vets could help with the congestion. The vet gave me eye drops that can be used as nose drops for the kittens. I'm at work so I can't look at the label to see what it is, but it worked wonders for my boys - their little noses were cleared up after the first day and they started eating *MUCH* more when they could finally smell their food. I'll look at the label and post the name when I get home tonight. Hugs, CatNipped > We've gone through bouts of URI viruses here, and the scariest is when > they can hardly breathe and can't eat. The vets (including the emergency [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Rhonda >>>These are good enough reasons for most people who care about their cats >>>to take them in when they see signs of a cold or "URI" (upper respiratory [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > I'll look at the label and post the name when I get home tonight. Hi CN, I might have missed some follow-ups, but did you find out what they were? Sounds like if it was eye drops that were used as nose drops, that they were an antibiotic. I would be curious about an antibiotic in the nose that helped, if that's what it was. Maybe the kitties developed a sinus infection too? Let me know if found the label. Thanks, Rhonda >>>>These are good enough reasons for most people who care about their cats >>>>to take them in when they see signs of a cold or "URI" (upper [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > Rhonda Sorry, I posted this separately under "Kitten Nose Drops"... My vet gave me what is, actually, eye drops but said they work well as nose drops for cats. Going by this one experience alone, I can say that their nasal congestion cleared up practically overnight when I used it. Now, caveat here, their nasal congestion could have cleared up without this - but it certainly didn't hurt them (they are 10 nweeks old), and on the possibility that this is what helped them, I recommend using it. The bottle is a vet's sample, so I don't see a "brand" name, but here's what's on the label: Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Desamethasone Opthalmic Suspension USP. Hugs, CatNipped >>>The vet gave me eye drops that can be used as nose drops for the kittens. >>>I'm at work so I can't look at the label to see what it is, but it worked [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > > CatNipped Thanks, CN, the first two ingredients sound like antibiotics but I don't know the last thing. I'll look it up later when I have more time. Thanks! Rhonda > So you have a kitten who is sneezing. You figure, just like a person, he > probably has a cold that will run its course and then he will be fine. Why [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > congestion, help with other symptoms of the cold, and help make sure that > a common cold does not turn into a more serious infection. Yep. The vet gave me nose drops for my two boys, along with Clavamox for them and for Tayla when he diagnosed all three with URIs. And they *are* eating much better then they did the day they came home with us. [It's so funny trying to give a kitten nose drops - when the snort (as they do after every application) they blow bubbles out of their little noses!!] Hugs, CatNipped > [It's so funny trying to give a kitten nose drops - when the snort (as > they do after every application) they blow bubbles out of their little > noses!!] hahah, you're such a good mom!
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