Cat cold

impossible cat · Mar 26, 2016

I adopted my first cat(in ten years) from the pound last Monday. Sugar was in a kennel next to a cat that just kept sneezing. I don't think nothing about it at the time, until she started to sneeze and cough. She was spayed Thursday this week and the vet sent home pain meds and antibiotics. I called the vet last night asking about her sneeze and she said she probably caught a cold from the pound. She said that with the antibiotics she's on it should nock the cold out. But I was wondering if I could do anything to help her feel better faster.

stephenq · Mar 26, 2016

Impossible Cat said:
I adopted my first cat(in ten years) from the pound last Monday. Sugar was in a kennel next to a cat that just kept sneezing. I don't think nothing about it at the time, until she started to sneeze and cough. She was spayed Thursday this week and the vet sent home pain meds and antibiotics. I called the vet last night asking about her sneeze and she said she probably caught a cold from the pound. She said that with the antibiotics she's on it should nock the cold out. But I was wondering if I could do anything to help her feel better faster.

Hi, welcome to TCS and yes there are things you can do. And congrats on the adoption. First, if her eyes are goopy or very watery the vet may want to give you eye cream or drops. Cat colds often go to the eyes and that's uncomfortable for the cat and can lead to damage in the corneas.

Sneezing is common, but actual coughing suggests lung involvement and may need more aggressive treatment. What antibiotic are you currently giving her and for how long?

Next you want to make sure she keeps eating. If she gets congested and can't smell her food - or because she feels poorly - she may stop eating and this is not good and can become serious, so if you notice her appetite is decreasing, intervene before she losses it completely by offering stinkier food (wet) food. I know this goes against what many people feel makes sense with respect to "healthy" food, but in this case we're using food like medicine to keep her healthy. You can return to the regular food later.

Also giving her a steam bath in your bathroom using the hot water from the shower for 15-20 minutes twice a day can help loosen congestion, as can non-medicated pediatric saline drops placed in her nose twice a day with a vet's ok can help too.

Those are the basics, others will chime in and you can read this article I wrote on shelter illnesses at http://www.thecatsite.com/a/identif...dopted-from-animal-shelters-and-rescue-groups

Oh and lastly, your shelter may have a post adoption medical policy that could assist you with treatments or costs, provided you follow their rules. Call them and ask if it isn't in your adoption contract.

Stephen

impossible cat · Mar 26, 2016

The antibiotic she is on is Amoxicillin 100mg. She's not coughing much just a bit, it's mostly sneezing. As far appetite goes she eats more now than she did when I first brought her home. So far there's nothing going on with her eyes.

marionmash · Mar 26, 2016

You can do a few things to help your cat recover fast,such as making sure that she gets enough water (just like humans, cats need fluids for a cold) and that she eats properly (smelly cat food or baby food containing only meat and meat juice, no onions will entice her to eat more) . Children’s saline drops are helpful, buy “Little Noses” spray (without any medication, just the saline) and lavage the nostrils with it just like you would with human cold spray. This is a temporary treatment that lasts about 1/2 day, so do it morning and night. Good luck.

loopycann · Mar 26, 2016

First of all,congrats and thank you for adopting.The steam room idea is a new one on me but makes sense.when running water for the steam do it before brining her in the bathroom.Running water terrifies cats and one of the most important goals is her remaining stress free.Also if you can,try to keep her very close to you when you can such as putting her on your lap while reading or watching t.v. etc. Not only cuddles and pets,soft praises and such work wonders for a kitty just put in a new place,just spayed and to top it off : sick.Make sure she completely finishes her amoxillan. If it's stopped because she's better without finishing she will almost immediately fall ill again but worse.If she dosent show great improvement after a week I'd surely call the vet for more meds,possibly they will give clavamox but I think she's gonna be fine with the care you are providing.Good luck with your baby!

stephenq · Mar 26, 2016

Impossible Cat said:
The antibiotic she is on is Amoxicillin 100mg. She's not coughing much just a bit, it's mostly sneezing. As far appetite goes she eats more now than she did when I first brought her home. So far there's nothing going on with her eyes.

Sounds good!!!

tissa · Mar 27, 2016

MarionMash said:
You can do a few things to help your cat recover fast,such as making sure that she gets enough water (just like humans, cats need fluids for a cold) and that she eats properly (smelly cat food or baby food containing only meat and meat juice, no onions will entice her to eat more) . Children’s saline drops are helpful, buy “Little Noses” spray (without any medication, just the saline) and lavage the nostrils with it just like you would with human cold spray. This is a temporary treatment that lasts about 1/2 day, so do it morning and night. Good luck.

HOW ??? How can i spray my cats nose? He moves around, turns his head, scratches, and acts like i want to kill him. His heart starts jumping out ... how can i possibly do that?

Same with force feeding. It is horrible! I was so successful when he was little and was ill, but now that he is grown, it seems like an impossible task! I am so worried about my cat. Mine is doing poorly compared to the author's cat http://www.thecatsite.com/t/316764/cat-cold-severe

impossible cat · Mar 27, 2016

tissa said:
HOW ??? How can i spray my cats nose? He moves around, turns his head, scratches, and acts like i want to kill him. His heart starts jumping out ... how can i possibly do that?

Same with force feeding. It is horrible! I was so successful when he was little and was ill, but now that he is grown, it seems like an impossible task! I am so worried about my cat. Mine is doing poorly compared to the author's cat http://www.thecatsite.com/t/316764/cat-cold-severe

Have you tried putting the pills in a pice of cheese that's the only way I can get Sugar to eat her pills.

tissa · Mar 27, 2016

Impossible Cat said:
Have you tried putting the pills in a pice of cheese that's the only way I can get Sugar to eat her pills.

I don't have any pills. I have no meds at all actually. The vet only gave us one antibiotic shot at the office and that is it. I am still unsure if that is a sufficient treatment. But my cat won't eat at all. I have to force feed him and since i force feeding him, the food is liquid

impossible cat · Mar 27, 2016

tissa said:
I don't have any pills. I have no meds at all actually. The vet only gave us one antibiotic shot at the office and that is it. I am still unsure if that is a sufficient treatment. But my cat won't eat at all. I have to force feed him and since i force feeding him, the food is liquid

Do you have a syringe to give the food?

tissa · Mar 27, 2016

Impossible Cat said:
Do you have a syringe to give the food?

I do. He is fighting it hard. Most of the food is all over him, but not inside of him and he gets VERY stressed over being force fed. When he was little i was way more successful with it, but now that he is an adult, i don't know how to do it effectively and get enough food in him. Whatever makes it inside of him, is not at all enough

impossible cat · Mar 27, 2016

tissa said:
I do. He is fighting it hard. Most of the food is all over him, but not inside of him and he gets VERY stressed over being force fed. When he was little i was way more successful with it, but now that he is an adult, i don't know how to do it effectively and get enough food in him. Whatever makes it inside of him, is not at all enough

I know it's the holidays but I would try and find a vet ASAP. Untill then get him in your lap cuddle him till he's almost asleep. Wrap him in a blanket so he can't get away Put your thumb on one side and your forefinger on the other side of your cat's mouth along the cheeks where the jaw hinges. You will be able to just barely be able to feel the teeth through the cheeks
Apply pressure gently until your cat opens its mouth by pressing down on the cat’s lower jaw until it opens its mouth. Basically you are pushing your fingers between the upper and lower jaw while applying downwards pressure. This pressure will be uncomfortable for then cat so it will open its mouth then squirt a bit of the food toward the back of his mouth until he swallows.