Cat Health: Colds

Cat Health: Colds

Cats get colds just like us humans do.

If you suspect any sort of "cold" take your cat to the Veterinarian immediately for an examination.

Although upper respiratoy infections are not terribly serious, your cat can get secondary infections during this time period which could be more serious and can lead to chronic illnesses.

Sneezing, lethargy, and even runny noses. Fever, lack of appetite, and the third eyelid up are the most common symptoms.

As with humans, the cold virus is conquered by a healthy immune system in about a week or so.

In the meantime, you can help relieve your kitty's discomfort by keeping her warm and turning on a humidifier in the room where she spends most of her time.

To cope with a non existent appetite, offer a salmon or tuna flavored canned cat food, which is also rich in moisture. Give her whatever she will eat.

Cats who have lost their sense of smell will also lose their appetite. If kitty has no interest in food at all, syringing some calorie dense food is of importance. A cat that is not eating is at risk for hepatic lipidosis, a possible fatal liver disease.

Getting calories and moisture into the cat is number one on the list. Ask your vet about syringing food or liquids.

Be sure to change the water bowl frequently to encourage her to drink, or get a water fountain. Another way to get more moisture into kitty is to give her her fav canned food watered down with either water, or much better, homemade broth without garlic, onions or salt.

Keep your sick kitty away from other pets and always wash your hands after handling her to avoid spreading the cold

Upper respiratory infections are highly contagious and it is very common for all cats within a household to become infected quickly.

However you can not pass a human cold on to your cat and vice versa. The cat 'cold' is a completely different "animal".

If your cat seem to have frequent "colds" she may be infected with a herpes virus that is chronically in her system, and breaks out during times of stress. A simple regimen with a specific amino acid can dramatically reduce the frequency and severity of a herpes outbreak.