Cat flu is common in both adults and kittens. Your furbaby can get this illness from other cats through saliva and body fluids. It is caused by either Feline Herpes Virus 1 or Feline Calicivirus. When left untreated, it can lead to other health problems or worse, death. Here’s how to know if your cat has cat flu, what to do, and the pet supplies you need to manage it.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms?
Generally, cat flu presents as flu-like symptoms including sneezing, teary eyes, nasal discharge, and coughing. In severe cases, cats can also have fatigue, fever, and breathing difficulty. Moreover, cats may also develop mouth ulcers. Mouth ulcers are painful, especially when eating. Thus, it leads to loss of appetite and weight loss.
If not treated as soon as possible, it leads to eye problems, secondary bacterial infections, major respiratory problems, and death. If detected at an early stage, cats can recover in about 10 days. However, severe symptoms can last for months and may require continuous treatment. These symptoms may come and go, depending on stress level and immune system.
Is There A Cure?
Sadly, there is no specific cure but only treatments to manage the symptoms. The veterinarian may prescribe medications and antibiotics to treat the infection. Even after the symptoms are relieved, the cat may still carry the virus and become a life-long carrier. Thus, it’s important to continue the best treatment and care for them to manage it. Vaccination can help prevent catching other illnesses and even strengthen the immune system. If your cat does not want to eat, try feeding strong-smelling food to increase their appetite. For cats with eye problems and nasal discharge, make sure to gently wash their face to clean and remove secretions. Not only will it make them feel comfortable, but also prevent further infection from the dirt. Check out our wide range of supplies to help with cat flu remedies.