Ask Your Health Question. Health Experts Answer You ASAP.

(Not a Health Question?)

Cats seem to have bad colds

Sent to Health Experts November 8 2004 at 4:08 PM
   

My 12 yr and 9 yr old cats seem to have laryngitis, and my 5 mos old kitten seems to have an upper resp. infection. #1 What would give a cat laryngitis, and should I pack them off to the Vet? #2 The kittens symptoms are runny eyes, sneezing and a cough now and then.
All the cats are up to date on shots.
I have also taken in a lost kitten of about 8 weeks of age. This kitten has also been to the Vet and had a check-up and shots.
Could this kitten have been carrying a virus that has now been passed onto the other cats, or is all this just the cats passing around a common cold?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $5
Answer
November 8 2004 at 4:42 PM (34 minutes and 8 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
It's very possible that your new little kitten was carrying a bug that he has shared with all your other cats. If the stuff that's coming from their noses is clear, I would give it a couple of days, up to a week, to see if it clears up.

If the mucus changes color or your cats begin to act lethargic or seem visibly sick to you, a vet visit might be needed.

Did you have the new kitty tested for FIV/FelV?

If not, I would so so right away to rule out any communicable viruses that your older cats could catch. FIV and FelV are both highly contagious and both severely weaken the immune system.

So, for now, I would watch the mucus that's coming from the nose. If it changes color or the cats get worse, you will need to take them to the vet. Some of these bugs just run their course and are over with after about three weeks.

Some vets will allow you to bring in just one of the animals to examine. You can explain to them that all three have the same symptoms and ask if they can treat all three the same. That's up to each individual vet.

I hope this helps!
Tammy F. -- Not an active Expert -- 95% Positive Feedback on 59 Health Accepts
Not an active Expert
Reply
November 8 2004 at 4:50 PM (7 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
Response to tfalkner's Post: Thier noses don,t seem to be runny. It is more thier eyes.
Also they did the test for feline HIV. does that include the other tests that you asked about?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
November 8 2004 at 4:52 PM (2 minutes and 34 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
That should include the test for FelV. You can check with your vet just to be sure.

You can clean their eyes with a warm rag. Keep an eye on the secretions from their eyes just like you would their nose. If it doesn't clear up in a week or so, you might want to see the vet.

Good luck!
Tammy F. -- Not an active Expert -- 95% Positive Feedback on 59 Health Accepts
Not an active Expert
Think you can answer this question?
Login or Become an Expert

Related Answers

 

DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the JustAnswer service comes from those individuals, not from JustAnswer, and that JustAnswer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on JustAnswer are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. JustAnswer is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.

JustAnswer > Online Health Advice