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My cat has a slight fever, has some sneezing, and is ...

Sent to Cat Experts October 22 2006 at 8:16 AM
   

My cat has a slight fever, has some sneezing, and is listless. Can I give him anything at home

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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October 22 2006 at 8:42 AM (25 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
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It sounds like your kitty likely has developed an upper respiratory infection or sinus infection and will need to be seen by a veterinarian for prescription medications.

Unfortunately, cats are very sensitive to human over the counter fever medications. You absolutely CANNOT use tylenol or ibuprofen in cats. The usage of aspirin is highly debatable, and when used can only be given as a 81 mg buffered aspirin ONE time every 72 hours!! Your veterinarian will be able to dispense to you veterinary labels formulated especially for cats and to help reduce the symptoms your cat is displaying! A fever is your pet's body's way of naturally fighting infection/inflammation...it does not always have to be treated. In cat's I do not typically treat for fever specifically unless the temperature gets over 103'.

If your kitty has not been tested for feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus you should always have that done upfront. Many cats can be carriers of these viruses and experience occasional bouts of upper respiratory signs when the immune system is stressed.

Your veterinarian may need to prescribe both oral and topical ophthalmic medications if it is suspected that your pet has a virus with secondary bacterial infections of the bloodstream or eyes.

I always recommend the supplementation of Lysine or a product called VIRALYS in all cats manifesting upper respiratory signs. It acts to stimulate the immune system to produce the type of white blood cells needed to fight viral infections!! Your vet can prescribe this to you for your pet at your visit!

For now, I would encourage you to keep your kitty in a warm, dry environment away from drafts or cold. You may use a steam vaporizer ( vick's vaporizer) in her immediate environment to try and break up any thick secretions in her nostrils . Cats with alot of inflammation and secretions in their nostrils cannot smell...and cats that cannot smell, typically do not EAT very well! You may also take a warm washcloth and gently remove any hardened mucus from your cats eyes or nostrils that you can see has accumulated.

You can offer a moist cat food temporarily to encourage moisture rich food consumption . I only recommend white meat diets....so turkey, chicken, tuna or salmon from the can is best.

I also recommend for TODAY using Chlortrimetron Allergy 4 hour tablets every 12 hours to help with the inflammation in the eyes,nose, and airways....this product can make your kitty sleep initially!! I typically use 1/2 of a 4 mg tablet every 12 hours in cats that weigh less than 10 lbs. IF your kitty is 10 # or more, give a full 4 mg tablet by mouth every 12 hours pending your vet visit!!

If your kitty is flat out NOT EATING and drinking very little, than dehydration is a big concern. You may syringe feed your pet 3-5 ml of pedialyte or water throughout the day to try and maintain water intake pending your vet visit.

The important thing is that your pet does see a vet as soon as possible!! Not every patient has a mild upper respiratory infection...sometimes, life-threatening pneumonias can develop that require early intervention and immediate treatment!

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Best wishes to your and your pet, Dr. Smith




Dr. Jodi L. Smith, over 14 years of clinical and surgical expertise in all species, with special emphasis on exotics, pediatrics, dermatology, cardiology, and geriatric medicine. Your pet's health and well being are my first concern.
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