kitten is improving..still not 100% but I do see improvement. He is eating and drinking well also.
stormi, I am wondering, how can you tell the difference between the herpes virus and a cold?
Herpes (rhinotracheitis) IS a cat cold. ; ) The differential diagnosis of rhino is difficult. Sometimes one can tell by a titer test. However, the typical symptom that distinguishes it is pitting of the surface of the eye. Fortunately, often it gets better before that stage is reached.
JanH Wrote:Herpes (rhinotracheitis) IS a cat cold. ; ) The differential diagnosis of rhino is difficult. Sometimes one can tell by a titer test. However, the typical symptom that distinguishes it is pitting of the surface of the eye. Fortunately, often it gets better before that stage is reached.
hi JanH I knew the herpes virus was a cold was just wondering if there was anything to tell me if this cold was herpes or not. the only thing I have noticed is he seems to be his best right before he is due for another dose of the clavamox. Could the clavamox be making him feel lousy? my husband and I noticed that today and yesterday. the vet said as long as he is eating and drinking to give it a little more time that it could take 7-10 days for the virus to run its course.
I'll tell you ... in the past they had put George on antibiotics for occasional sneezing. they always said they did it as a precaution since other then him having the sneezing fits here and there and sneezing up a large 'booger" (sorry if tmi), he was perfectly fine. Well, I dont think George ever had an upper respiratory now that I see the difference. Even the difference in the sneezing. George never sneezed in a month as much as Henry was sneezing in 10 minutes.
Henry is still eating and drinking well. I took him in the bathroom last night with some steam. He still is making a wierd snorting sound instead of a sneeze now. I also talked with the woman from the rescue where I got him and she said it is common and it needs to run its course. There was another woman there who said the kitten she adopted got the same thing. she never took her to the vet, just gave it time. I dont know what more I can do except keep treating it as I am. Make sure he is eating / drinking and keeping the humidifier running all day. He does seem a lot better except for that wierd snorting noise. I tried looking up everything I could find. the only think I think it might be is reverse sneezing...but I am not sure.
URIs vary widely in how much if any sneezing there is. Sometimes one only sees the symptoms in the eyes, although it is the same infection that can cause frequent sneezing, runny eyes and nose and congestion. For rhino there are eye drops and Lysine, but for other viral infections you are right that support, warmth, eating, drinking, dealing with symptoms, is what one does while the cat fights it off, which usually does take at least a week or so - and can repeat after it has gotten better, probably when a slightly different strain has appeared in quantity. A bacterial infection on top of a viral one is bad news and that is one reason a BAD viral infection calls for meds. The bacterial infection then may be missed, may be much worse because on top of the viral and is more likely, since the cat is down from the viral infection.
I doubt the clavamox is causing any problem. However, it can cause some GI upset and that might make a cat feel less well. (There are allergic type reactions, but those are things like rashes and swelling.)
JanH
well I certainly hope it doesnt repeat. this has been so frustrating not being able to do much for him. I feel bad keeping him in the one room of the house but really can not take the chance of the other two catching it. He is still so sweet and is always on my lap or on the desk when I am in here. I am really praying he will be make a full recovery in a few days.
ugh, I am so upset I cant even explain it. I have never had a cat sick like this and it is such a horrible feeling not being able to do anything else, worrying I am not doing enough. It has been 7 days now since it started with the sneezing. I feel like somehow I could of prevented this tho I dont know how. I am just praying my other two dont catch it. so far they dont show any symptoms but they were around him for a day and a half. He didnt even show any symptoms when I brought him home. I have heard it could be 7-10 days so I am praying it is over soon.
I did just leave another msg for the woman who runs the rescue group. we will see what she says