Cat sneezing fairly often. Could this be caused by Feliway diffuser?

Hi,

I recently purchased a feliway diffuser for my stressed cat who hasn't been eating on her own (she is now eating a small amount of human food and is on martazapine). She has been sneezing a fair amount recently though. Could this be caused by the feliway or perhaps the medication?

thanks

Hi Wakeme, I'm sorry your kitty isn't feeling well!  Repeated sneezing is usually the first symptom of a cold aka an upper respiratory infection.  Feliway does not cause sneezing and the most common side effect for the appetite stimulant Martazpine is drowsiness.  Loss of appetite is another symptom of cat colds, as well as mucus discharge from the nose or eyes. I would urge you to contact your vet.  If she has a cold your vet will likely want to put her on meds to prevent a secondary bacterial infection.

How long has she been stressed and not eating?  And do you know the cause of her stress?

Let us know what happens ok.

stephenq said:

 
Hi Wakeme, I'm sorry your kitty isn't feeling well!  Repeated sneezing is usually the first symptom of a cold aka an upper respiratory infection.  Feliway does not cause sneezing and the most common side effect for  the appetite stimulant Martazpine is drowsiness.  Loss of appetite is another symptom of cat colds, as well as mucus discharge from the nose or eyes. I would urge you to contact your vet.  If she has a cold your vet will likely want to put her on meds to prevent a secondary bacterial infection.

How long has she been stressed and not eating?  And do you know the cause of her stress?

Let us know what happens ok.

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The loss of appetite and stress was due to bringing a new cat into the home a couple weeks ago. We took her to the vet a week ago for a checkup and blood work and everything came back fine. We've had them separated for the time being. She's started eating a little and drinking a lot since being on the meds, we're also syringe feeding. The sneezing I have only noticed starting yesterday or today. 

One thing though, there is a place under a piece a furniture she goes to as I guess she feels safe there. I recently put a fair amount of cat nip leaves, and spray under there. I was just looking and sneezing and sniffling seems to be a side effect of cat nip. She's never had that with the leaves but I just recently got the spray, never used it before. I'm going to get the leaves out from there and stop spraying and see if it subsides. 

Ok well the feliway really isn't connected to sneezing, but I would suggest separating them for a period of time and doing scent exchange etc to help with the introduction.  Cats can take months, even a year to become friends and its also possible she has caught a cold from the new cat or the stress has caused her to relapse into a cold.

stephenq said:

 
Ok well the feliway really isn't connected to sneezing, but I would suggest separating them for a period of time and doing scent exchange etc to help with the introduction.  Cats can take months, even a year to become friends and its also possible she has caught a cold from the new cat or the stress has caused her to relapse into a cold.

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Thanks for the advice. Yesterday morning she was sneezing less, but I could hear she was pretty stuffed up. I took her back to the vet and got some antibiotics called Azithromycin. The vet said to try this type for a few days and if there is no improvement or worse there is another more expensive type. She said unfortunately no way to know what kind she needs because it depends on the virus. She got her first dose yesterday evening. 

I was thinking if there isn't an improvement by Friday morning I would get the other kind. That would be four doses. She is really stuffed up to the point that I can hear her from a decent distance. She seems to still have her strength and doesn't seem distraught though. My concern now is that with force feeding her, she will have great difficulty breathing through her nose. So we are giving her more time in between squirts.

Do you or anyone have any more advice? I sincerely appreciate it. 

Hi Wakeme

Ok it's a cold and official!   It's even more important to keep the 2 cats apart lest the other cat catch it, which is still a possibility until the sick cat is completely better.  One sick cat is bad enough!

Usually with colds, which as you say correctly are viruses, vets proscribe antibiotics to ward off secondary bacterial infections  You can switch antibiotics on your vet's advice (Amoxi-Clavamox, Doxycycline, and sometimes Zenequin are other choices.  Having said that most cat colds last about as long as human colds, 10+/- days so you may not see much improvement by day 4 on any antibiotic.

And since your cat is congested, you may with your Vet's approval administer non-medicated saline spray into his nose a couple of times a day.  You would find this in the pediatric cold section of your pharmacy, but check with your vet first.

You can also stimulate her to eat by giving her smellier food.  Bonito (fish) flakes sprinkled on her food might help.

If her eyes get teary or gooey then you should tell your vet as he will want to prescribe eye drops or cream, important for the cold and can prevent scar tissue from forming.  There are actually anti-viral eye meds on the market.

She will get better, don't worry and keep her (and your unwashed hands etc) away from the other cat ok :-)

Best

Stephen

Thanks Stephen. The other cat was adopted a couple weeks ago and got her vaccinations. Is there still a strong chance of spreading by secondary contact? Is it a case of different mutations of viruses, and it don't being worth risking?

Also, I read online someone asking a question about a sick cat and someone who said they were a vet suggesting steaming up a bathroom and taking them in there to help clear their sinuses. Is that something you are familiar with?

I'll try to find those flakes. I think I read about them; that they would be with Asian food. 

Wakeme,

There is a good chance to spread the cold either cat to cat or human to cat. Humans in contact with sick cats are absolutely vectors of the illness which can be spread by casual contact. The sneezing, and discharge in general puts virus on to your hands, your shirt and in the air and all of it can make the other cat sick following an incubation period.  The 3 in 1 vaccine (FVRCP) can help reduce the seriousness of a cold but it can't prevent your other cat from getting it.  When i'm dealing with sick cats at my shelter i am in a full gown with gloves and booties, and i still take precautions once i get home.  I would definately wash my hands after you handle the sick one and consider wearing a smock or cooking apron etc when handling her if she is going to crawl in your lap or during syringe feeding if you're doing that.

Yes I have seen people steam up a bathroom to help with clogged noses and it can certainly help!  Just make sure the cat can't come in contact with the hot water.

You will find the fish flakes (sometimes under the brand name Kitty Kaviar) at any pet store!

Stephen

Thanks Stephen. I wear a sweater to keep any mess off me and wrap her in a towel when feeding her. As well as using purell after. My dad helps by holding her head and washes his hands after to get . However, Abby, who is the sick cat lets me sort of twist her fur and use a comb and cat shampoo to get out any food that got in her fur after feedings and I was my hands after that. However, I have pet Abby though without using purell afterwards. I'll make sure to do so now. 

Wakeme, 'that's all really good.  Even better than purell is actual old fashioned handwashing to remove virus and not just push it around (and maybe?) kill it with purell.  Virus is hard to kill. 

all the best and glad to help

Stephen