Cat sneezing and coughing...

[Kallie]

Hi all

One of my cats started today, with sneezing and coughing. He sounds like his nose is stopped up also. Hubby is taking him to the vet tomorrow, however I was curious on what you guys may think this is? He is eating and drinking water. Does this sound like a upper respiratory infection?

Also I do have another cat, and dogs. I have seperated the feeding bowls, water bowls and the cats.

Thanks
Kallie

BTW I like the new forums

[MA]

Probably is a URI and it spreads fast among kitties. Good luck getting rid of it.

[Kallie]

Probably is a URI and it spreads fast among kitties. Good luck getting rid of it.

I wonder if it spreads fast among adult cats also?

[MA]

It can- if possible, I would keep the ones afflicted separate from the others if that is possible.

[cathys]

Hello Kallie,

One of my Cats George, is about 9 years old. He has the same thing. Vet gave us Anitbiotics....didn't help. We gave him baby nose drops didn't help. He had blood work and an x-ray of his nose.....nothing. Vet suggested we take him to a speacilist and have a scope put up his little nose. Alot$$$$ so we don't know what to do yet. Please let me know what your Vet suggested. He sounds congested nothing is leaking from his eyes or nose. Ya know what he sounds like? Ok like when you are sipping a hot drink. That is the best way I can describe it. Please keep in touch.

Thank you,
Cathy S. From New Jersey

[Kallie]

So sorry I did not see this post prior. Our Zeek tested positve for Feline Leukemia, my vet did not think he would make it another week, as he was so sick. My hubby and I sadly made the decision to pts. It is very hard to believe how fast this came on.

We have not tested my other cat as of yet, as I wanted to make sure we tested her after the time period she can catch it. So we will be bringing her in this week to be tested. I read that there is a 7 day period after exposed to it that they can catch it. Do you happen to know if this is true?? Would this mean it is pretty safe to say after a week 1/2 time, if she tests negative, that she should be okay? She shows no symptoms of anything at this point.

Also can someone please explain to me about the vac. for feline leukima?? I thought that this prevented it? Could it be Zeek was a carrier of it already, and the vac therefore would not have helped him, but would help a cat that is NOT a carrier of it?

Thanks
Kallie

[Tina B and crew]

Kallie...I am so sorry for your loss It must have been such a shock. No vaccine is 100% effective, so it is possible for a vaccinated cat to catch something it has been vaccinated against. From the Cornell Feline Health Website

The FeLV vaccines are not 100 percent effective, and thus a degree of risk occurs when a vaccinated cat is housed with a persistently-infected cat (FeLV-positive cat). It is recommended that FeLV-positive cats not be housed with FeLV-negative cats, even those that have been vaccinated. Certainly, a cat vaccinated against FeLV will have a far greater chance of successfully withstanding an exposure to FeLV than an unvaccinated cat.

http://web.vet.cornell.edu/public/fhc/felv.html

I hope your other kitty is OK....this makes me so sad

[Kallie]

Thanks Tina, I did go read the Cornell article, and it answered allot of my questions.

It was a shock, I have 4 dogs, 2 cats and 2 horses and this was the first pet that I have owned on my own that I had to make this decision with. It was hard

My hubby and I have been discussing whether we even want to know if my other cat has it or not. She is is no contact with any other cats so there is no fear of her spreading it, IF she is positive for it. I am just not sure if knowing will do any good or not. IF I knew that there was something I could do to prevent her from getting sick, yes I would want to know. However from everything I have read there is no cure, and she will stay with us know matter what till the end. If we know that she has it we will be upset and always worrying when she may get sick. I am just not sure what to do

Yes it makes me mad also, as I always keep my cats up to date with all shots.

[Traci]

Actually, Kallie, it would be a good idea to test her because should she be positive and you are not aware of signs to watch for regarding secondary infections, then you won't recognize them and my delay effective treatment. FELV+ kitties are extremely susceptible to secondary infections at any time and if not detected and treated right away, the chances of recovery become reduced, not to mention other associated conditions that would make it harder to treat when recognition and treatment are delayed.

You can test her now, or in a month or so. Then, I would strongly suggest retesting her 12 weeks after that. Let's have faith she is FELV-negative, but if she is positive, trust me, you want to know so that you can prepare yourself about the disease, watch for certain signs and symptoms, and so that you are prepared to get frequent checks at your vet to stay ahead of the game.

For more information on FELV and other feline infectious disease and for testing options, please see: AAFP's Vaccine Guidlines and VIN's Risk Assessment and Vaccine Protocols.

I'm so sorry about Zeek, my prayers go out to you.

[Traci]

He has the same thing. Vet gave us Anitbiotics....didn't help. We gave him baby nose drops didn't help. He had blood work and an x-ray of his nose.....nothing. Vet suggested we take him to a speacilist and have a scope put up his little nose. Alot$$$$ so we don't know what to do yet.

Cathy, ask your vet to rule out virals such as calicivirus and ask about ruling out a pseudomona, this is an infection within an infection, very often missed and difficult to treat. Lastly, rule out fungals or a nasal/sinus polyps, and lung/bronchial infection. Unfortunately, a scope view may be the only way to accurately diagnose, you might be able to get a reasonably priced scope exam by a vet university near you if your vet refers. I strongly suggest this as congestion is a serious matter and without a clear diagnosis, your vet is only treating the symptoms.