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Cat Flu Home Care Notes
by Dr Rob Miller
Cause
Cat flu is caused by 2 possible viruses. If your cat is vaccinated against
cat flu (ie has had its F3 vaccine) they can still contract cat flu as viruses
can mutate. Vaccine can never cover against all variants of a virus.
However a vaccinated cat rarely gets a dose of flu as bad as an unvaccinated cat
since the vaccine will offer some cross protection against variants.
Secondary bacterial problems can arise, hence why vets will often issue
antibiotics to minimise the duration of signs.
Signs
Mainly sneezing and discharges from the nose and eyes.
Spread
Cats sneeze and produce an aerosol that other cats breathe in. Mutual grooming
and shared food bowls will also aid spread. If you have more than one cat in a
house, likely they will all get a dose.
Spread to Humans?
It cannot spread to your children or other family members, or your dog!
Viruses are usually species specific.
How long does it Last
Incubation (exposure to showing signs) period is about 5-7 days.
The illness phase will last 7-10 days if treated, longer if not treated, and may
even become a life long issue.
Treatment
- Anitbiotics: Cat flu can become chronic (chronic sinusitis) and
debilitating in some animals, which is why we always like to offer
antibiotic cover to cats. No one wants a chronically suffering cat!
- Eye Drops: If eyes are discharging we also likely to issue eye
drops.
- Mucolytics: If the nose becomes clogged with a thick snotty
material we can offer mucolytics to make it runny again so allowing them to
breath more easily.
Home Care
What can you do to help? Medicines are only half the story. You can help in a
number of ways
- Feeding: Feeding and fluids are very important. If their appetite
is reduced, try feeding more aromatic foods, such as sardines, fish, BBQ
chicken, and gently warm them. Feed moist fluids to encourage fluid intake.
Do not offer milk products.
- Steam: If the nose is heavily clogged then a steamy bathroom will
help loosen thick mucus.
- Clean Nose: Clean any thick discharged mucus away from the
nostrils using warm water and cotton buds.
- Clean Eyes: Wipe away any discharges from the eye using normal
saline (1 teaspoon of table salt in 600 ml warm water). Use a clean wipe per
eye. Wipe down and away.
- Hygiene: Wash your hands after handling infected cats, to
minimise spreading it to your friends and neighbours cats. Thoroughly clean
feeding bowls.
- Isolate: Ideally keep you cats in until clinical signs resolve,
this way they greater cat community will suffer less.
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