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Important

Upper Respiratory Infections in Cats

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 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 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 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 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 household should be 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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Cat Watching

Problems That Aging Cats are Susceptible to

It’s a given that a cat ages more rapidly than what humans do. Some veterinarians will tell you that a one-year old cat is equivalent to a 16-year old child, although I think this is extreme. The different schools of thoughts propounded by vets and feline experts will tell you that the ratio is anywhere from 4 to 7:1 when it comes to comparing the aging process of a feline to that of a human. Despite the difficulty in predicting an exact age, most vets and experts consider a feline to be “geriatric” once it is 10 years old.

Cats are now living longer than ever before with the average age of a house cat that has been well cared for being around 15 years of age. Additionally, cats that have been neutered or spayed tend to live longer than those that have not been. The speculation here is that cats that have not been “fixed” tend to roam around a lot more and are there prone to even fatal injuries. It also holds true that they succumb to diseases and health maladies because of exposure to the outside environment.

Felines are amazing pieces of machinery, so to speak, in that they have the capability of repairing themselves. For instance, despite the fact that they have two kidneys, they only need a part of one of them in order to stay healthy. Eventually, the aging process in cats takes its toll on them, just like it does with us, and therefore they experience those bodily changes that are characteristically associated with getting older.

The bottom line here is that the key elements of exercise, health care, and proper nutrition, combined with the special care they need once they have entered their “golden years,” will affect your cat’s life expectancy positively. The following list, though quite lengthy, are the more common conditions and problems that older cats may eventually face and that you as an owner will have to deal with when they arise:

* Anemia
* Arthritis and stiff joints
* Blood pressure problems
* Bone brittleness and weakness
* Breathing issues resulting from less flexibility of the lung muscles
* Cancer
* Decreased brain cell count
* Decreased control of body temperature
* Decreased functions of the kidneys and liver
* Decreased intestinal and stomach functions which oftentimes lead to impaired digestive processes
* Decreased production of saliva and difficulties in swallowing
* Decreased sensitivity to all the senses excluding touch
* Dehydration resulting from a decreased sensitivity to thirst
* Greater occurrence of infection due to increased susceptibility
* Increased bone brittleness
* Mouth ulcers
* Muscle dysfunction and weakness
* Periodontal conditions and tooth loss
* Shallower sleeping patterns which leads to irritability and temperament issues
* Skin abnormalities such as abnormally brittle or misshaped claws, alopecia, and dullness of the coat

From the time they are kittens, cats need to be provided with four critical elements in order to enter their golden years in the best possible shape – an appropriate amount of regular exercise, good health care, proper nutrition, and a stimulating lifestyle. About the Author
feline health
For more easy, practical tips on taking great care of your cat be sure to visit the author’s feline health site now.

Getting Ready for the Newborn Kittens

Caring for your cat during pregnancy may require a lot of time and effort in your part but it is a very wonderful and rewarding experience. But after the kittens are already born, you will need to do a different task and that is to take care of the newborn kittens. These kittens will need special kind of attention and care and you must make sure that you could provide it to them.

One good way to start is to prepare your home for the arrival of the newborn kittens. Kittens tend to play with, chew, or nibble anything that attracts their interest like plants, cords, and other materials. You should remove the things that could be harmful to the newborn kittens like anything that could poison them or hurt them. Electrical cords must be kept out of reach. Look for anything sharp and pointed and remove them from the area immediately. Deal with anything that could strangle your kitten like ropes, ribbons, and cords to provide a safer place for your kittens.

You might also want to save your curtains and drapes from kitten scratches so it would be advisable to tie them up so your kittens will not be able to reach them. Make sure that the cabinet for your cleaning liquids are out of your kittens’ reach. Most of these cleaning liquids are poisonous and you wouldn't want your kitty to play with them to prevent any kind of accident.

Another good preparation that you should not forget is to shop for things that your kitten will need. You will have to shop for foods that are suitable for newborn kittens. You should opt for foods that could give your kittens the kind of nutrition they need for growth. The food should also be easily digestible by kittens to prevent any troubles with their tummy.

You should also get them the things they need like their own bowls, kitty basket or bed, blanket, litter box, and toys. This is to ensure that your kittens will be comfortable and that they will have a good playing time. You should provide them with warm and comfortable place or area to sleep in. When choosing toys for your little kittens, make sure that they are safe and will not put the safety of your kittens at risk.

Lastly, you must make sure that your kittens are healthy. After birth, you could have a vet take a look at them to check them up for any illness and to give them vaccines that they need. If your vet saw some signs and symptoms that suggest illness, your kitten might be subjected to some tests and examinations. This is to ensure that they will grow healthy and will reduce the risk of getting sick. These things will help prepare you and your home for the arrival of your cat’s newborn kittens. You will not have to get worried about their safety inside your home and you can be sure that you will able to provide them with anything they need for them to grow happy and healthy.

About the Author
Shaun Bradley
My name is Shaun Bradley and I am an avid Cat Lover/Owner. I have had cats ever since I can remember. Now I have just two cats named Sylvia and Goldie. They are great pets and fairly simple to take care of as long as you know some easy cat training tips. Visit my website for more information http://www.trainingyourcats.com


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