Depending on your point of view, how to treat a cat for a cold.
Manda says:
January 5, 2013 at 12:55 pm
The above comment by your veterinarian is completely untrue. Cats get colds – it’s called the Feline Calicvirus. It causes sniffles and eye discharge. Cats that get it need careful home care, such as making sure that they get enough water (just like humans, they need fluids for a cold) and that they eat properly [smelly cat food or baby food containing only meat and meat juice, no onions] will entice them to eat more) as well as humidifiers during months when the heat is on in your house and drying out the air.
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. Sniffles can also be decreased with use of sudafed drops for kids, but the dosage must be exact to your cat’s weight. It recommends 2mg per kilogram of weight. That means you must weight your cat precisely and give only the calculated amount. You MUST be sure of the ingredients in the medication. It cannot have any pain meds or fever treatment in it. DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN. (This can cause an animal who is having lung problems or internal problems to hemorrhage inside, destroy liver and kidney functions, and kill the cat. It must be real and only pseudo-ephedrine.
Do not use pills. Use only the drops marketed for children and babies. The dosage is so low that you will have a hard time overdosing. Cats do not like it, it contains a bitter constituent that makes them froth at the mouth, so try to administer in two short shots with a medically marked eye dropper. Wipe away any froth and comfort the cat afterwards. See that he/she has a heating pad to sit on set at the lowest setting, under a towel or blanket. Allow them peaceful time alone, and monitor their fluid (pulling back on the skin gently at the back of the neck and looking for “tenting” of the tissue – when the skin does not “snap” back, the cat needs more fluids). Also check by running your finger over their gums. Tacky, gummy feeling gums are a sign of dehydration. Healthy gums are very slick, with plenty of saliva. If the cat needs fluid, get an eyedropper and give a few droppers of water at least once an hour, or until the skin appears more elastic. Pedialyte (baby electrolyte solution) unflavored is good for this, heat it a little until warm and administer like water.
If this does not work, you must take the cat to your vet within 24 hours. They will need sub-q fluids as soon as possible.
Be sure to check your cat over completely for scratches, sores of any kind, wounds, cysts, fleas, or anything out of the ordinary – a healthy cat has a shiny coat, un-matted fur, sits straight, has clear shining eyes, and responds to your voice.
Please monitor your cat every hour (even through the night) to assure that he or she is eating and getting enough fluids. This is key to recovery. Cats that eat and drink rarely develop other symptoms. Make sure they eliminate at least twice daily (urine) and once daily (feces). Check that the amount is usual for your cat. If it is decreased or not present at all, take the cat to the vet. Watery stool, and dark urine are signs that your cat needs better hydration, better food, and possibly – vet care for worms and other parasites.
Clean your cat with a clean, warm, moist wash cloth, dry, and brush out the hair frequently to promote clean fur and good circulation. Monitor for fleas, but do not treat except to remove with a flea comb. Sick cats cannot tolerate flea treatments. Be gentle and thorough. (Even a vet’s office will not do this, it’s a shame, but they rarely have the time to treat each pet with this kind of compassionate, loving care.) Your cat will appreciate it.
This nursing will be needed for the same duration that you would treat yourself for a cold.
Do NOT give antibiotics, unless prescribed by a vet, and discuss with your vet if it is absolutely needed. It’s like you going to the doctor and asking for antibiotics when you got a cold. They will do nothing for a virus. Antibiotics should only be given if the patient is truly experiencing an inflection, debilitated, old, or very young. They are prescribed in those cases because there is a very real chance that the animal will develop pneumonia.
Smart cat owners know that l-lysine (a protein) helps to break up colds in cats, and when administered during an outbreak tends to break the cycle of the virus. Learn how to crush the rills (with the back of a teaspoon, add clean water, mix, fill and eyedropper and administer at least 1000mg for the first dose then 500mg twice daily thereafter for no longer than 1 week). B-vitamins, found in brewer’s yeast pills (a common cat vitamin) are also beneficial – most cats eat them up like they’re a treat. Give a few daily.
Always know that medications given to cats are the same that you would give to a human baby – you must be precise, on time, and check frequently. Allergy tests for any medication should be done prior to administration. Even vets don’t do this, and I cannot understand it. A simple scratch test: the medication is applied to a sterilized needle and gently scratched over exposed skin. Within 3 hours if the animal has a reaction to the medication, the area will have puffed up and look sore, red, and possibly weeping. If this is discovered do NOT administer medication, and wash the area immediately with soap and cold water. Dry thoroughly. If there is no reaction, the meds are safe to use.
Be aware that cats who do not eat for 24 hours will develop horrible internal problems, they are not like you and me – they require constant energy to survive. Some cats will prefer that you feed them by hand – a fingertip of food placed in their mouths (you may have to open the mouth with a gentle pressure on the side teeth and pop the food on their tongue. They may spit some out. Try again, be patient). Watch to make sure they chew and swallow properly. Never force- feed. If they get too uppity, give them a rest and try again in 1/2 hour. You can feed your cat via syringe (or eyedropper, but this takes twice the time). Purchase a large “feeding” or “Lavage” syringe from any surgical supply/drug store) fill with watered down baby food or very fine grind cat food and hold that cat in your lap. A towel over your legs will help. Push the nipple of the syringe between the teeth on the side of the mouth and depress the plunger, giving only 1/4 teaspoon of food at a time. Usually cats will struggle at first, but once they taste the food (baby food as discussed) works best. Making sure that they get at least 2 full cans-worth of food a day plus at least 1-1 1/2 cups of water or pedialyte a day will insure that they are getting enough food.
Check your cat for signs of fever. A feverish cat will have hot ears, and dry, hot nose, and hot feet. Also check for signs of infection and shock, including cold feet, pale gums (press gently on the gum to see if blood re-enters, good gums look pink and healthy, just like you and me). Feel gently under the neck for enlarged lymph-nodes (the same as you and me when we get a sore throat). If enlarged, take the cat to the vet. In these cases, they will need attention and antibiotics.
Veterinarians today are too much involved in prescribing what they think will be a quick cure and not treating the underlying symptoms. They tend to dose up the animals with medications and “hope for the best”, often forgetting to counsel pet owners in careful nursing techniques, common-sense daily care, and daily requirements. Your best bet is to find an elderly veterinarian who has had over 40 years of experience. these are the vets who will actually help.
I know that all this information is hard to follow, if you must, copy down treatments on 3×5 cards and check them every time you check your cat. Separate the directions by “food”, “water” “checking for symptoms” “checking for elimination” “routine care” and “checking for symptoms”. It should help you to learn proper care as if you were born to it.
