Nasal spray for cat

My little Oliver has been to the vet three times, and they diagnosed him with calcicivirus. Sent us home with I.v. fluids and pain reliever and told us to get little noses with neosynephrine. My local stores don't carry anything with that ingredient! They have little remedies which is basic saline. Is that the same, and OK to give to him? Thanks!

The regular little noses (just saline) is perfectly fine and can be used multiple times throughout the day vs. the medicated nasal spays.

Did your vet send you home with any antiviral medication (Famciclovir)?

What are Oliver's symptoms?

My vet gave the following instructions on how to make a medicated nasal spay:
10 parts saline to 1 part *Regular* Afrin.

Apply 1 drop in each nostril daily. **Do not use the medicated for more than 3 consecutive days**

Definitely consult with your vet to make sure this is ok for Oliver to use.

Thank you! He had gotten a antibiotic injection his first visit. He had a fever and a limp. Then it progressed to sneezing, coughing,runny nose. So we went back and the vet and I both agreed it is the calcicivirus, especially because of the limp. (It wasn't a injury)He is eating and plays a bit,but gets tired easily. I've been steaming him in the bathroom and just lots of TLC.

Thank you! He had gotten a antibiotic injection his first visit. He had a fever and a limp. Then it progressed to sneezing, coughing,runny nose. So we went back and the vet and I both agreed it is the calcicivirus, especially because of the limp. (It wasn't a injury)He is eating and plays a bit,but gets tired easily. I've been steaming him in the bath

I highly recommend discussing using Famciclovir with your vet. We use it whever we have a kitty with Calici or Herpes. Really helps shorten the duration of the illness.

If Oliver'a URI symptoms don't improve over the next few days, talk to your vet about using Doxycycline. Convenia, while good for skin infections, isn't the best option for secondary infections associated with herpes or Calici. Clavamox would be ok to use as well. Doxy is a stronger antibiotic.

I've heard antibiotics won't help this type of sickness...He does have more energy today, and drank water on his own. This has been a loooong horrible sickness!!

Also, can he be vaccinated against the virus even though he has had it? And will it come back?

So, Calici is not a chronic illness like Herpes is. Once they are over it, that's it, unless they catch a different strain. (Much like our Flu, Calici has different strains). To answer your question, yes, you can vaccinate, BUT, Oliver needs to be 100% before doing so. The vaccine will not do anything for the current illness.

I also want to note that for a small percentage of cats that get Calici, it can affect their organs (again, same as our flu). The virulent strain is typically the culprit of this (really really bad strain). Because of this, I advise anyone who's cat has had a bad case of Calici to consider running a feline Pro BNP to specifically check the heart. I don't say this is scare you. This is just something I have been advised to do with my personal cats and rescues and I feel it doesn't hurt to be on the safe side.

Thank you. Any information is appreciated as I am just recently learning about this virus. Our vet did explain complications that come with the really bad cases. She doesn't think he has a bad case since he is improving. Although it seems so slow to me. Poor boy has slept on my chest for a week!