Cat infections to humans?

[globug92000]

Last Thursday Maggie was stuffed up, breathing through her mouth and sneezing a LOT. The vet gave her some antibiotics and prednisone. She's a lot better today. Thursday when she was sneezing so much, she sneezed on me a few times (I tried to stay clear as much as possible and washed my hands often), but she managed to sneeze near me and even in my face a couple of times. Though she's better, my throat has been absolutely RAW since Saturday morning. I'm seeing my doc tomorrow. Can cats transmit infections to humans? She's an indoor cat, so I don't even know what's making her sneeze so much.

[Traci]

No, feline virals are species-specific.....In your first post about Maggie, you never said what her original illness was, only that your vet prescribed antibiotics....what was her original illness? Did he suspect an upper respiratory infection or something else? Did he rule out allergies and did he take her asthma into consideration when he examined her? Anytime an asthmatic kitty is showing upper respiratory signs, you need to rule out potential complications of the asthma. Please talk to him in greater detail about this.

As for your own "cold", there are several strains of a nasty flu going around....if you feel like you're not getting better, by all means see your physician promptly.

[globug92000]

Thanks, Traci. Maggie's original acute illness was impacted/infected anal glands. Completely healed now. She's also totally switched over to her R/D diet, which she loves (of course she would eat anything if it's cat-food)! Maggie seemed to improve on her sneezing and stuffiness on Saturday; she was on the prednisone for 3 days, Fri, Sat and Sunday. Sunday and today, she's back to FREQUENT sneezing and stuffy nose. Back to the vet she goes today when I get home from work. Poor thing. By the way, my throat is better, no fever; I'm sure not the flu, just a cold-stuffy nose. We're quite the pair. Robbie, Maggie's brother, is feeling great! One out of three's not bad. Again, thank you. Your advice is so great and very much appreciated.

[globug92000]

The saga continues...Maggie went to the vet today again, sneezing up a storm, stuffed up nose. She doesn't act like anything bothers her except that stuffiness (she's not got labored breathing, she's not listless or anything like that); He gave her a shot of PCN and switched her oral antibiotic from Orbifloxin to Clavamox. He said no more prednisone. (Which I had stopped anyway after yesterday's dose). He also gave me antihistamines to give her (1/2 tab BID) He said the mouth breathing was a concern, but he didn't hear any rattling in her lungs, although it was a bit difficult to hear because she purred the whole time and her purr is LOUD even without a stethascope. Her mouth breathing isn't labored when she does it, it looks like clogged nose breathing. So all this can be taken care of; HOWEVER, I'm very worried because she's gained one and a half pounds since her last visit a week and half ago! Not good. I'm concerned about fluid retention/CHF. There's plenty of urine in the box every day, though. I'm monitoring her respiratory effort closely this week, see how the meds go and will take her in for a weigh in a week. I know that steroids can make humans gain weight, but that's also because they eat more. Maggie's on R/D. The vet assistant thinks she's got ding-dongs hidden in the house. I think she saw the worried look I had on my face and wanted to inject a little humor. I'm still worried. Glo

[Traci]

The pred indeed could have added to her appetite and she may have nibbled alittle more than you were aware of (or simply added fluid caused by the pred, really not a worry at this point). Now that the pred has ceased, give it another week or two and recheck her weight again to see any noticeable difference.

If after this course of clavamox does not give improvement, then ask your vet to rule out a mycobacterial problem, a possible polyp, etc. If your finances allow and if he sees it as a benefit, he might be able to do a quick swab of the nasal passage and do a quick cytology. Although not sure it would change the treatment plan, antibiotics would be given anyway. If a mycobacterial, however, the antibiotic may need to be more specific for the bacterial in question.

In the immediate sense, try to think back on any possible cleaning chemicals you've used lately....any excessive dust in the home, fragrances, aerosols, smoke, etc that may be contributing or causing an allergic reaction.

[globug92000]

Oh, thank you so much for easing my mind about the weight gain. I know she hasn't nibbled more because Robbie is fed in a separate area that is up high where Maggie can't get to (she's so big, she can't jump that high). So I was thinking it was water weight as well. And yes, I will talk to him about the swab for cytology and possible polyps as well if she's not improved. I'm so relieved to hear from you on this. I'll breathe easier tonight, hopefully Maggie will, too. I'll keep you posted. Glo

[Traci]

If at any point, her breathing becomes labored or her nasal passages cannot clear, call your vet immediately and ask for his permission to give either children's nasal saline or Afrin non-medicated nasal saline (you can give one drop per nostril once or twice a day, but don't proceed without first asking your vet)

You can also steam up your bathroom with the shower, let it steam up and allow Maggie in there for a few minutes at a time to help clear nasal congestion. However, do keep an eye on that open-mouthed breating, you don't want to mistake this for a potential asthmatic attack. An asthma attack would present signs like wheezing, gasping for breath, extreme nervousness and inability to be comfortable, etc. in which case, don't delay in getting in direct contact with your vet immediately.

[globug92000]

Great, great, great ideas! So, so helpful. I just never even thought about the shower idea. I'll ask him about the spray if the meds don't help. I don't know if it's too early to tell, but it appears that her sneezing has lessened considerably this evening. I wonder if the antihistamine could make such a difference so quickly. I guess it's been a couple of hours since she had her first dose. Do you know if Chlorpheniramine causes drowsiness? She's pretty konked out this evening. Maybe she's just pooped from being at the vet. Maybe the meds?

I also wracked my brain to think of allergens; the only thing new in the house is new hand cream, but it's made with shea butter and essential oils. I don't use aerosols or burn candles and not even company is allowed to smoke in the house. No new cleaning agents. But she certainly could have developed an allergy to something. I just found out myself in Sept. that I'm allergic to.....CATS!! I said, "so be it; I'll take Allegra; the cats are staying!"

So, we shall see. Again, thanks for your wonderful thoughts. I haven't been on this board very long, but am so grateful I found it. Brilliant thoughts, Traci; brilliant.

[Traci]

Yes, chlorpheniramine can leave sedative-like effects...I'm sure your vet dosed correctly, but check on the Rx he gave you and make sure you don't go over 2 mg per 12 hour period. He probably lowered the dose as a loading dose to see how she would respond. If she seems really really out of it, don't be afraid to alert your vet, he may need to decrease the dosage.

Yep, antihistmines can act pretty quickly, especially in nasal decongesting (it's ingredient is included in many cough/cold meds and allergy meds for humans).

My Charlie sometimes has an (idiopathic) nasal bacterial problem, I usually use a humidifier in the room for overnight, he usually feels much better by morning (combined with clavamox, seems to work). If you have a child's humidifier, that would be ideal to use in your bedroom at night for Maggie (don't add any menthol or anything). If you don't have a humidifier, the shower steam in the bathroom can produce the same effect. Only allow her a few minutes at a time in a steamed room though, you want to ensure her breathing problems are congestion only and not something else (ie., related to asthma)

As for the hand cream, it's probably not a problem. However, speaking of essential oils, most are toxic to cats (this is usually in the pure form or those oils used in aromatherapy, etc, all dangers to cats). I would use it sparingly around Maggie.

[globug92000]

Yes, he ordered 2 mg per 12 hrs. Tonight I'm happy to report Maggie's condition is much improved. Has only sneezed a couple of times since I got home an hour ago. She's breathing through her nose and it sounds much clearer. She also gave me a good scratch when I gave her meds this time! She usually takes them right down, but I'm sure she's sick of me cramming pills down her. I'm just so relieved for her. I'll not use that hand cream around her anymore...I'll take it to work. It may not be a culprit, but why take a chance?

I think I'll get one of those humidifiers you mentioned. You're just a such a wealth of information. Bless you, bless you. Glo