Help - I think my cat has a cold!

[crissy11]

I think my cat has a little cold. I can hear that he's a bit congested and have seen a few sneezes. He is still eating and using the litterbox and still likes snuggling and purring, but he does wander off by himself a little more than usual (not a lot, just a little) and I can just tell he's a little under the weather - just the past 24 hours or so.

I was scared of H1N1, but I've already had the vaccine, my DH is healthy, we don't have any kids, and we've had no one in the house since we got him, so I'm not even sure how he ended up with a cold!

Anyway, is this a big deal? Is a vet visit required or is it like humans - it's just a cold that will work itself out.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

 

[aklein]

Just take him into the vet. He may have an allergy/irritation to something in the house or he could just have an upper respiratory infection. It happens and both are fairly common in pets.
I would highly doubt it is H1N1, as there has only been one confirmed case in a cat.
Generally, viruses that infect people are not the same one that infect your pets. Most viruses are host-specific and cannot even be passed from cats to dogs.

 

[crissy11]

I made an appt. for 2:30 today. Yes, I've been reading up and found out that colds can't be transmitted from humans to cats, but I believe H1N1 can - but I'm pretty sure that isn't it for the reasons I noted in my first post.

I guess what I don't get and the vet will explain to me, is that the stuff I read indicated that colds can only be caught from other cats, if a cat goes outdoors, etc. My cat is an indoor only cat, and is an only cat, so I have no idea how he actually ended up with a cold, if in fact, that is what it is. I could be just overly paranoid too. But I'll feel better taking him in today rather that worry about it all weekend.

 

[lorihmatthews]

My cat is an indoor only cat, and she seems prone to respiratory infections. She gets them every year or so. Thankfully they clear right up with antibiotics. I'm sure your kitty will be fine in no time!

 

[DenimShopaholic]

You're doing the right thing by taking him to the vet. My cats don't get colds/respiratory infections that often, but when they do, I can tell they are miserable. It sucks to see them not feeling well.

Let us know what the vet says. I'm sure he'll be good as new in a few days.

 

[zoesma]

i hope your kitty feels better!! how did the vet go?

 

[bnjj]

Cats don't have to go outside to breathe airborne germs. Cat litter dust can also cause respiratory infections.

Hope your kitty feels better soon.

 

[Necromancer]

How did the vet visit for your cat go? I hope he is he OK.

 

[crissy11]

Hi everyone - thanks for the kind thoughts on Bimmer. Actually insofar as the cold goes - he doesn't have one. The vet said his breathing was perfect and that he is very healthy. I think I tend to get a bit paranoid sometimes - but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I haven't heard any more sneezes or anything.

However, he does have a lot of dental issues. Not sure if you remember, but I got him from a breeder only about 7 weeks ago and had him neutered. He's about 3 and the vet showed me his teeth and it's very sad. She said Siamese are prone to bad teeth, so it may not be that the previous owner did anything wrong, but she said most of the back ones will probably have to come out. His poor gums are all red. She gave me some drops to put in his water that are supposed to help with the inflammation and in the New Year I'll have to think about getting his teeth out, which I hate the thought of. Has anyone gone through this? How did it turn out?

He's eating and stuff and seems fine for now, but I know it is something that I will need to deal with.

She also gave me some de-worming meds which the thought of is pretty gross. The previous owner said all this was up to date but he would never provide me with any proof, so we have to proceed as though he hasn't had anything done since he was a kitten - and considering the experience I had with his previous owner, my gut feeling is that he probably hasn't seen a vet very often. But outside of the dental issues, he is very, very healthy indeed, very muscular and a perfect weight and everything.

So, if anyone has had any experience with major dental issues with their cats, I'd be interested to hear how it went.

Thanks everyone!

 

[bnjj]

Glad to know he doesn't have a cold.

Am I remembering correctly that this is the kitty with the ledge concern? Just trying to keep all the animals straight. If so, I think you're probably right about his previous owner.

Poor kitty's teeth must hurt when he eats. I have never had any of my cat's teeth pulled (just took my 10 year old to the vet a month back and the vet said he had very good teeth, which was surprising for an old kitty) but my friend had to have most of her cat's teeth pulled and he was just fine afterward. Vet dentistry is pretty pricey though. Some vets offer payment plans.

ETA - I recall when I was in the waiting room at my vet's just recently, the guy leaving was paying his bill and his animal (small dog) had some teeth pulled (don't know how many) and his bill was over $900.

 

[sweetlittlelady]

If the kitty doesnt get better within 4 days .. you should deff pay a visit to the vet ! Its always better and safer Hope your kitty gets better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Necromancer]

Crissy, that's good news he doesn't have a cold. As for the teeth, if they need to come out, then they need to come out. I had a neighbour who had two of his cat's back teeth removed because of dental problems and the cat was fine and lived a long and happy life. Good luck with it all and give Bimmer a nice big scratch under the chin from me.

 

[Black_Swarmer]

Great that Bimmer didn't have a respiratory infection this time around - they can come by easily enough ... next time wait a couple of days to see if it gets better As long as they're eating, drinking and using the litterbox and not showing distinct symptoms of disease a vet visit is almost never needed - but you're right, better safe than sorry!

Sorry to hear about his teeth/gums being bad - fortunately cats live just fine without their teeth I know cats with no other teeth but their canines and they munch kibble with no problems (of course they eat wet food for a couple of weeks after the pulling). Don't worry about him needing to have a few teeth pulled - he will do just fine without them!

 

[crissy11]

Am I remembering correctly that this is the kitty with the ledge concern? Just trying to keep all the animals straight. If so, I think you're probably right about his previous owner.

ETA - I recall when I was in the waiting room at my vet's just recently, the guy leaving was paying his bill and his animal (small dog) had some teeth pulled (don't know how many) and his bill was over $900.

Yes, the same kittie (delcawed - previous owner) and the ledge - which I still have nightmares about, but the vet said it's amazing what they can do even declawed. She said the bill for the dental would probably be between $500 and capped at $900 - but I'm OK with that. I paid that much for surgeries for my ferrets when I thought they were gonna live only another year. $1000 for an animal that has a good 10 years left - that totally seems worth it. I just HATE HATE HATE the thought of the GA.

She also told me to try some wet food, and even some real tuna and chicken. I tried real chicken last night but he had no interest, but I know he loves tuna, he goes nuts when I make a tuna sandwich - I just didn't know it was OK to give him any.

 

[Necromancer]

Crissy, I always buy the large cans of tuna and salmon in spring water, because what's left over from hubby's sandwiches is happily devoured by my cats (and my dog, he loves fish).