The cat flu
Does your cat have watery eyes and green discharge coming from their nose? This may just be a simple cold but it could also be the cat flu. This article will explain all about the cat flu and what you need to do to get you cat back to a healthy life.
What is the cat flu?
The cat flu is a common name for a feline upper respiratory disease that a cat/kitten can commonly catch. Cat flu can effect a cat at any age. It can be more serious and even fatal in young kitten and older cats.
Common Causes of Cat flu?
The cat flu is caused by one or more viruses commonly. These viruses are Feline Herpes Virus and Feline Calicivirus. These two viruses are very hardy and can live in a cat’s environments for weeks. Some cats never show signs of this virus while other may get sick very easily. This virus can easily be spread from cats not showing signs. This hardy virus can live on food or water bowls, toys and people’s clothes.
Common symptoms seen with cat flu
If you every had the flu you will know what to look for in your cat. At Oasis Vet, the signs seen in cats are very similar to those seen in people. Once you know what you are looking for this can be a very easy diagnosis based on your cats presenting signs.
Common signs are:
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Ulcers in the mouth
• Not eating
• Runny nose
• Difficulty breathing.
• High body temperature.
These signs may be very mild but can be very serious. If your cat does have these signs, you need to take your cat to your veterinarian. The longer these signs continue the harder it is to help your cat get back to their healthy selves.
How do you diagnosis cat flu?
Most of the time this disease is just treated without an official diagnosis. Your veterinarian may want to run a few test to make sure that is what they are treating and it is not something worse. Your vet will take a swab of your cats nose and send it to the lab. They can tell what viruses are causing your cats signs. This is a very helpful thing to run for places with a large number of cats such as shelters. This helps them know if they have a flu outbreak.
How do you treat the flu in cats?
The treatment for this disease depends on the signs that your cat is showing. One of the best things you can do for you cat is proper home care. This is because many times the treatment is supportive care and to allow the virus to run its course just like in people.
Common treatments for cat flu are:
• Antibiotics: As Cat flu is caused by a virus, there are no antibiotics that will treat this disease. However, sometimes antibiotics are given to treat any secondary infections that your cat may have.
• Smelly foods:. Many cats may stop eating with this disease. When a cat cannot smell their food, they will not eat it. By keeping your cats nose and eyes clear and free of any mucus and offering very smelly cat food will entice them to want to eat. If you cat does have mouth ulcers it may be best to offer them can food or even adding water to their regular diet to make a sloppy mess for them to lap up.
• Hot steam: Hot steam will help break up any mucus in your cat chest. When you shower take your cat into the bathroom with you. Close all the door and let the shower run as hot as possible to release steam into the room. This will help get them back to their normal self very quick.
• Quiet Place: If your cat is sick they need a warm and quiet place to recover. If you have multiple animals in your house, it is best to put your cat in an area to itself. This allows your cat to recover without any other animal bothering them.
If you cat is not improving or seems to be declining, it is best to take your cat to the vet. They may recommend hospitalizing your cat for a few days so they can make sure they are eating and staying hydrated.
How long can cat flu last?
Cat flu generally lasts for 7-10 days. In kittens with a weakened immune system it can last longer. If cats are affected by secondary bacterial infections, they can take weeks to recover.
Is the Cat flu is contagious?
Yes the cat flu is very contagious and can easily spread from one cat to the next. If your cat has been diagnosed with the cat flu and you have other cats, it is best to keep them separated. Any water or food bowls need to be wash with warm water and soap. You can even transmit the virus from one cat to another. So it is best to take precautions when your cat has the cat flu.
Can my veterinarian prevent the cat flu?
While there are vaccines for the cat flu, they are not effective against all strains. Just like with people there are multiple different strains of this virus and you cannot vaccinate your cat for all of them. Your kitten will get some of its immunity from its mother but you should start vaccinating your cat for this virus around 6 weeks of age to try to help keep them from catching this disease.
The cat flu can be very serious or may just be very mild. If you start treating your cat as soon as you see signs they quicker they will recover. By working with your veterinarian you cat will quickly return to their happy and playful life.