Feline Upper Respiratory Disease

16 years ago

I adopted a cat a week ago that was a rescue. He was being fostered at a woman's home, so was not at a shelter. The woman told me the cat had previously had upper respiratory sneezing, but had finished meds for it more than two weeks prior, and was fine. However, on my drive home with the cat, he immediately started sneezing. I took him to the vet the next day who confirmed feline upper respiratory disease, although there are many types, and he couldn't say which one. Since the cat is only sneezing, but does not have eye irritation or coughing, or any other issues, and does have a good appetite, the vet didn't think it was the more serious herpes-related ailment. He gave me meds (clavamox) for the cat. So far, the cat's sneezing has not immproved with the meds, although the cat is active, and eats well.

My friend had a cat that had chronic upper respiratory disease its entire life of 15 years. My new cat is 2. Is this sneezing going to be a chronic problem? How can I tell? Does anyone have knowledge/experience with this illness? Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

socks
16 years ago
Our cat started sneezing every time she was stressed, ususally any time we took her anywhere, to the vet or elsewhere, or boarded her. Vet usually put her on a course of antibiotics when it happened, and it cleared up. He told us that she carried the herpes virus which caused this to happen to her. She lived 17 years, though. Don't know if this is your case or not, just sharing what happened to us.

I'm glad to hear she is active, and especially that she is eating well. That's a very good sign.
0
cat_mom
16 years ago
Our one cat started sneezing while we were at the vet's office deciding whether or not to adopt her (we did!) and it got progressively worse that evening. A few days later she sprayed blood with her sneezes, initially we freaked, but ended up keeping her (thank goodness!). The vet put her on clavamox when we brought her back to be checked out the following week and that cleared it up.

BTW, she's 4 1/2 now and the sweetest thing!
0
Related Discussions
Legionnaires' disease
Q
Comments (47)
I've had a similar experience recently. I cut down a dying Calif. peppertree (SCHINUS molle), at my home in San Diego, CA, cut it into large pieces, and put out a "free wood" sign. Within days, I came down with a severe sinus infection; I'm a landscape contractor and have been doing this type of thing all my life, and I've never had a sinus infection before. I'll never forget New Years 2007, because I spent the entire weekend in bed, with aching teeth, a headache, a throbbing swollen cheek, and a 101 degree temperature, waiting for Tuesday, so I could go to my doctor. I'm being treated with antibiotics, decongestant, and a pain killer, and am on the mend, but I found out that a fellow, who used his chainsaw to cut some pieces of the wood smaller and remove them, has come down with a sinus infection, as well. I searched out this blog, because I feel that it is too much of a coincidence that the two of us would come down with the same non-contagious illness simultaniously. I don't know why this tree, of a normally very tough species, was dying, but I did see a small amount of whitish mycilium under the bark, in a few places. Could this be the cause of a very severe sinus infection?
...See More
Supposedly diseased 135 year old ginkgo to be cut down...
Q
Comments (15)
Woah, settle down there, Pancho! Put yr fightin'words away! Tried asking the volunteers at the FLW studio, but seeing as theyre not arborists, all they told me was "I was told that it was diseased.", yet the tree looks remarkably healthy and no signs of disease or illness are evident save for the missing top. Most likely is the potential for it to be unstructurally sound and thus a liability. I wanted to ask around if anybody knew of diseases that affect ginkgos or what their opinions might be...if you have nothing to say regarding that topic and would just like to argue or flex an ego, then please settle down and don't bother responding.
...See More
Feline diabetes, what food do you feed?
Q
Comments (15)
Yes, if you go the insulin route, a glucometer would be a must. Our first one-year insulin treatment went very well with only occasional fructosamine tests, and NOT a single accidents. The second time around, 8 years later (same cat), that was a very expensive 6-month experience with 2 glucose curves at first, then monthly fructosamine tests (strangely enough, the diagnosis was based only on a regular blood test and urine analysis, not fructosamine --big mistake; wish we had not rushed into insulin) and regular adjustments to the amount of insulin. His glucose level had gone down so much-around 50, that FINALLY one of the vets decided to take him off insulin. Had we been shown how to use a glucometer (and if you already give insulin injections there is nothing to using one), our cat would have had better days (and our wallet too!). But, this is the same vet who was so reluctant to show us how to administer fluids at home (loss of easy money for them). Still convinced our cat had kidney problems from the start, and not diabetes. Sorry if I tend to go back to my personal experience. Diabetes is very manageable as long as you have a good vet and you are well informed. Another thing about canned food: avoid foods with sugar content (potatoes, carrots, fruits).. Go for high, quality protein. Best of luck, Anne-Marie
...See More
treatment for upper resp. infection in cat
Q
Comments (17)
I'm using the same scoopable litter I've always used. For the record, I tried World's best, and wasn't impressed with it. It was less dusty when I poured it, but seem to grind up into powder as it was used. Every time the kitten came out of her litter box, her feet were covered in dust. Rudi is still sneezing, and so is Ike. Haven't heard Sophie yet today. Everybody is eating--Rudi has recovered his appetite nicely. I'm wondering if maybe the liquid Benedryl left such a horrible taste in his mouth that that is why he wouldn't eat! Ike and Sophie are still eating. I tried the "steamy shower bath". Took both Rudi and Ike in, shut the door and turned off the fan. Rudi stayed with his nose to the door crack, like he thought he needed fresh air, and Ike sat on the commode with his eyes the size of saucers, staring at me like I was nuts. Even with my small bathroom, the air in the bottom half of the room was pretty clear, so I don't know how much good they got from it. Guess I needed to put them in the carriers and sit them up high. (my sinuses felt great!) As long as everybody will eat and I don't get snot, I can deal with sneezes. (Although it is so LOVELY when your cat come over to say howdy and sneezes in your eye. Good thing most of our germs won't cross species!) Ike is currently on the back of my chair giving me a neck massage and purring in my ear, so he's feeling good. Since after his post radiation thyroid treatment the vet said his immune system would be compromised, I was in a panic! 20 years of having cats, and never a respiratory problem until now. My friends Himalaya, also strictly indoors, started sneezing and sneezed for 2 weeks at which time she started have a snotty nose and required ab's to get rid of that. But she didn't lose her appetite the whole time. I've heard that some of these respiratory bugs are so virulent, that you can carry germs home to your cat if you brush against someone whose cat has it. I may have carried it home myself. Really annoying when I have my babies vacinnated for everything transmittable! Wish I could get my hands on some of those lysine treats, but by the time I order them from Amazon, the virus should have run its course. Anybody know if petsmart carries them? I could make a run to Winston after school tomorrow. Ike is like the world's pickiest eater, so I don't know if he will take them in any form. Pigs 1 and 2, and Little Pig will no doubt love them. Just for the record, I think I will rename Sadie Typhoid Mewy. Didn't have ANY of this til she came! She, naturally, seems to be immune to this bug. Sophie and Ike started sneezing 1 week exactly after Rudi did, so I expect if she was going to get it, she's have begun by now. (Somebody, please say I'm right)
...See More
alwaysfixin
Original Author
16 years ago
Cat Mom - I too was horrified when a few of my cat's sneezes had blood. How long did it take for the clavamox to work for your cat? My cat has been on clavamox for 5 days, but there has been no change or decrease to his sneezing. My friend's cat that I mentioned in my OP sneezed every day of his life for 15 years. My friend loved him dearly, but did mention (and I am sorry to be gross) that there was nasal discharge all over her house (floors, walls) all the time from his sneezes.
0
Elly_NJ
16 years ago
I think upper respiratory problems can often be viruses that need to run their courses, much like a human cold does. There are sometimes secondary infections which are treated by antibiotics.

The herpes virus can manifest itself with upper respiratory symptoms. It can be treated with the supplement L-lysine.

Here is a link that might be useful: Look under Upper
0
cat_mom
16 years ago
We were going through a really bad time while all this was happening (had lost my first cat at 16 yrs of age a few months prior, while my second cat, age 15 1/2 was dying from fibrosarcoma, and our other kitten kept getting sick on and off; turned out to be FIP), so to say we freaked out when we saw blood would be an understatement. I don't recall how long it took before we saw an improvement, but I don't think it took very long. Within a few days of getting her, we had to put our 15 1/2 yr old cat to sleep, and the day after that, we had our sneezy girl and our other kitten to the vet which was when he gave us the Clavamox, that much I remember. I know it cleared up with the month if not sooner.

I know someone who has a cat with Bortadella (sp?) and I'm pretty sure she's mentioned that he has a lot of nasal discharge. I'm sure you could test for that at some point his symptoms persist, but I'd wait. If it's a garden variety URI, it'll run it's course, and the Clavamox should help prevent/control any secondary infection.

Good luck!
0

Feline Upper Respiratory Disease

Comments (5)

socks

cat_mom

Related Discussions

alwaysfixin
Original Author

Elly_NJ

cat_mom

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Feline Upper Respiratory Disease

Comments (5)

socks

cat_mom

Related Discussions

alwaysfixinOriginal Author

Elly_NJ

cat_mom

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

alwaysfixin
Original Author