LoveToKnow Cats:Custom Respiratory Problems

From LoveToKnow Cats

Past Questions

Question: I've been reading your column and searching on line, but haven't quite run across our situation. We have two small indoor dogs as well as three strictly indoor cats. Within four days, both dogs and two of our cats are all sneezing. Granted,it is very dry here due to the drought and our state "flower", goldenrod, is in full bloom Our Maine Coon cat, Max, started sneezing first and sneezes repeatedly. Two days later, our Jack Russell and our long-haired Chihuahua joined in. Could our animals be suffering from hay fever? All are up to date on shots and boosters. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. - Posted by: daveyourbrainsonfire@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Debbi,

Animals can suffer from allergies just like humans. Since your animals are all strictly indoors and up-to-date on shots, I don't think this is anything serious.

Also, you mentioned it has been particularly dry in your area. Likely the pollen count was already up and then with the goldenrod going into full bloom, it may have just been more than they could handle.

You may just want to watch them carefully over the next few days. Some things that would necessitate a trip to the vet might include:

Lethargy
Lack of hunger
Lack of thirst
Extreme thirst
Yowling in pain
Trouble using the litter or going to bathroom
Shaking
Any kind of green or pussy discharge from the nostrils
Trouble breathing

Also, keep a careful eye on the cats as cats are prone to upper respiratory infections. If you notice their condition worsening, it would be best to go ahead and take them to the vet and get them started on antibiotics if necessary.

Likely, if it is just allergies, it will stop whenever the goldenrods stop blooming (or whatever else is causing their sneezing). You can have them test with a skin prick to find out exactly what they are allergic too, but it is a little expensive, so unless it is severe, I would probably leave it alone for now. - posted by:LoriSoard

Question: I have a 13-year-old male, neutered cat that has become very ill. He has watery eyes, watery nose, sneezy, is breathing rather shallow, vomiting, watery green stools, lethargic and physically weak. He is hardly able to stand. He has quit eating and drinking. I took him to the vet yesterday. I was told he was a "very sick cat". His temp was 104. He said there is definite infection and gastroenteritis. He was given an injection of a strong antibiotic and sent home with additional liquid antibiotic to give him. Today he seems a slight bit better. He is a little more alert, opens his eyes wider and raises his head. I've done a lot of research and it seems as though he has the flu/gastroenteritis. From my constant observation of him, I really feel he has pneumonia. Thank goodness he seems to be responding to the antibiotic but he is far from being well still. The vet was rather confused when I told him he was "inside only". I honestly NEVER take him outdoors. I have had my windows open to fresh air for about four weeks now. How do you think he came in contact with this? Could the open windows have been the source? Can cats catch colds from humans? (I know that sounds like a silly question but that's how this all started: just like a typical human cold virus.) Thank you for any advice you can give me. I just want to keep him safe from further exposure but I'm not sure how he got this. - Posted by: blndhavfun@aol.com

Answer: Hi Barb,

It isn't likely he could pick something up from the air. Since he is an indoor cat only, and I'm assuming there are no other pets in the household who could have carried something o him, it likely isn't any type of communicable disease.

Also, humans and cats very rarely share diseases. There are a few exceptions, such as toxoplasmosis.

More than likely, he may have some mild allergies that then turned into an upper respiratory infection. Cats are prone to these, especially as they age.

The antibiotics will likely clear up any infection. He should steadily get better. If you notice these symptoms again, particularly the sneezing, take him straight back to the vet.

You may even need to have him tested for allergies to narrow down the cause. The vet can do this with a very simple skin prick test. If you have the information on whether or not he has allergies and what they might be, you know what things to eliminate or avoid to keep him healthy.

Good luck and I hope that your cat feels better soon. - posted by:LoriSoard

Question: I have a feral cat that has been living on my porch for two years now. She has started to gasp for breath with a rough sound coming from the back of her throat. Sometimes, she tries to throw up what seems like a hairball, but nothing comes out. I do live in Arizona and it's been really hot and 29 percent humidity, but I don't think that matters in her case. Hope you can help Kit Kat. She means a lot to me. Thanks. - Posted by: Craftymerrie@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Merrie,

It is possible that Kit Cat is experiencing some type of allergies, but since she is feral it could be Cat Flu, or any host of other illnesses that stray cats are prone to.

Cat Flu tends to attack the upper respiratory in cats, resulting in raspy breathing and all sorts of infections, including crusty eyes and such. It is also highly contagious to other cats, so if you have indoor cats or other strays in the area, you'll want to keep them away from her. The vet can tell if she has this disease with a simple blood test.

If you can catch her, I would go ahead and take her to the vet for treatment. You can get her shots updated at the same time, which can help prevent some of these illnesses. You may also want to consider trying to tame her. It takes a lot of patience to tame a feral cat and they are usually never lap cats, but it can be a worthwhile project and save a cat's life. - posted by:LoriSoard

Question: My four-year-old rescue cat had an upper respiratory infection when we got her as a kitten, and we were told then that she would have recurrences throughout her life. She is just about over her third one, but this time, one symptom seems to be lingering. Although she's back to normal in every other respect, she still seems wheezy when she purrs. There has been no coughing, and she recovered from the other symptoms in about twelve days. She's an indoor cat. Can we do anything to help her get past this? She had this symptom the first two times, but it seemed to pass off more quickly than this time. - Posted by: luthorienne@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Miki,

I'm sorry your cat is going through this. Just as with humans, sometimes infections linger or the cat will build up an immunity to medications. Since she is still wheezy, I think you should follow-up with a visit to the vet just to make sure she's okay. - posted by:LoriSoard

Question: Test - Posted by: keybuzz@aol.com

Answer: Answer - posted by:Kelly