Cat Behavior Secrects Revealed
Upper Respiratory Infections in Cats
Excerpt : Your cat has just been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. This is an extremely common condition, especially in cats just acquired from any multi-cat situation (i.e. humane shelter, rescue
Your cat has just been diagnosed with an upper respiratory
infection. This is an extremely common condition, especially in
cats just acquired from any multi-cat situation (i.e. humane
shelter, rescue facility, breeders' cattery, a multi-cat
household). It may be that you have an indoor/outdoor cat and a
brief encounter with another cat allowed contact with the virus.
Or it may be that your cat never leaves the home but you made
contact with a cat with a cold and managed to transmit the virus
on your hands and clothing.
Signs
Cat colds will cause sneezing, coughing, nasal and eye
discharge. If only affected by the virus, the quality of the
discharge is usually clear and watery. However, secondary
bacterial infections will cause the discharge to become thick
with mucous and green or yellow colored in appearance.
Treatment
Like human colds, unfortunately, it is a virus, and there is no
specific
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treatment for this condition. Nothing can be done to
eliminate the virus from the body. The cat will usually do this
on its own in a 1-3 week period. If it doesn't, there are
concerns about the cat's immune system and/or re-infection.
Suppression from the feline leukemia virus (Felv) or feline AIDS
virus (FIV) can cause a protracted bout with upper respiratory
infections. Or it may be that re-infections may be occurring
from other cats in the household. Sometimes, it simply takes
longer for an individual to clear up from cold symptoms.
Antibiotics
When there are secondary bacterial infections, antibiotics can
be helpful. These may be given systemically as pills or liquids,
or topically as ointment or drops applied to the eyes, or
topically as drops applied to the nose. Supportive care is
important.
Medications
Decongestants are sometimes useful and for this reason, an
over-the-counter
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anti-histamine chlorpheniramine
(Chlor-Trimeton) may be recommended. Another over-the-counter
item that can be helpful for congested cats is "Little Noses", a
pediatric formulation containing phenylephrine (Neo-synephrine)
1% nasal solution. These drops applied to cat's nostrils can
help clear nasal passages and make the cat more comfortable.
Hydration
Maintaining hydration by ensuring sufficient fluids are taken in
by the cat is critical. This can be done either by giving fluids
by mouth with a syringe or by mixing extra water in with canned
food. Occasionally, it may be necessary to give fluids
subcutaneously with a sterile solution (usually lactated
Ringers) given under the skin. Your veterinarian can do this or
if it will be needed for an extended period of time, you can be
shown how to do this so it can be done at home.
Nutrition
Ensuring adequate nutrition is important. Canned food,
especially
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warmed up, can increase palpability and smelly fish
based foods are helpful to cats with a decreased sense of smell
from the cold. Baby food (any of the meat based) is sometimes
easier to swallow for some cats with colds. Note that baby food
is not meant to be given exclusively nor long term since
nutritional deficiencies will arise by doing so. However, it can
be helpful short term to get a cat to eat something. Sometimes,
forced feedings are necessary. Hill's A/D (available from your
veterinarian) is a balanced, nutritious food that can be easily
drawn up via a syringe and given by mouth. It also has a soft
consistency and is easy to swallow. Appetite stimulants such as
low doses of valium or an anti-histamine, cryptoheptadine
(Periactin) can be used to encourage food consumption.
Maintenance
Keeping the nasal passage and eyes clean and free of build-up of
secretions is important. This may necessitate cleaning
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several
times a day with a soft cloth or cotton swabs, moistened with
warm water. A form of nebulization, the "steam effect" can be
helpful, and this is achieved by placing the cat in a steamed
bathroom (easily done when taking a shower).
Prevention
There are some simple precautions that can help minimize the
course of disease for the affected cat and decrease the exposure
to other cats in the household. Note there is no indication that
colds can spread between humans and cats. Nonetheless,
especially after handling the cat's nasal or eye secretions,
thorough hand washing is indicated.
Cat colds are very contagious between cats, both aerosolized and
on items. For this reason, it is important, if possible, to
isolate the affected cat away from the others. Sometimes, by the
time a cat shows signs, it may be too late for the other cats
who may have already been exposed. All other cats in the
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monitored for sneezing and eye and nasal
discharge. To minimize the spread of the virus, it is important,
too, to wash all items such as bedding and food and water bowls
that the affected cat has frequented. Even washing your hands is
important to limit the spread of the virus when touching
different cats in the household.
If you have any questions about this disease and its treatment,
don't hesitate to contact your veterinarian.
The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin
any course of treatment without consulting your regular
veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every
12 months.
About the author:
Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital and its cat-only affiliate,
Coastal Cat Clinic, are small animal practices located in
Pacifica, California. To find a veterinarian or to learn more
about the vet clinic and our staff,
visit:[http://lindamarvet.com/]
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