My cat is exhibiting all the classic signs of a bad cold. He is sneezing, his nose is runny (or he is drooling), his eyes look sleepy, he doesn't have a normal appetite, and he is less active than usual. I don't think an antibiotic is necessary, but can I give him a small bit of aspirin or cold medication to make him feel a little better?
2006-11-07 12:05:14 · 17 answers · asked by Anne O 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
NEVER!! Cats can not metabolize OTC meds and you could cause sever kidney or liver damage, or even kill him! Always talk with you vet and use prescription medications unless they provide a dose of OTC meds to use.
2006-11-07 12:12:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutly no aspirin! Aspirin is toxic to cats. You should take him to the vet. What you may be thinking is a cold could be something entirely different like a contagious virus. You should never give an animal OTC meds without a vet consult. I know it can be costly to visit the vet, but it's better then killing your animal by giving it meds that will harm it.
2006-11-07 14:10:47 · answer #2 · answered by Mrs. B. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cat physiology is entirely different from humans. Humans medications can take out a cat's liver in 24 hours. Do not treat this yourself!!!!!!!!
It sounds like he has a severe viral infection and anitbiotics won't help that either. A vet should definitely evaluate him as he can get seriously ill from not eating (when cats lose their smelling ability they do not want food). He may need supportive measures, intravenous fluids or even a feeding tube to pull him through this.
Please don't waste time on the internet. You cat needs the attention of his medical resource - the veterinarian.
2006-11-07 14:15:51 · answer #3 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aspirin will kill a cat, even in small doses. If your cat is showing symptoms of a cold as you described, PLEASE take him to a vet ASAP. It could just be a kitty cold, or it could be something much more serious. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is deadly virus that is fatal to cats. This virus can take two forms, commonly referred to as wet (which involves fluid in the abdomen) and dry (which does not). Also, upper respiratory infections (URIs) are similar to the common cold in humans. Symptoms include sneezing, running nose and eyes, reddened eyes, fever, and decreased appetite. If left untreated URIs can be FATAL. These airborne viruses are highly contagious; they can be transmitted to cats through human handling and through contact with other cats and with inanimate objects such as litter boxes, food bowls, and grooming tools. If your cat exhibits any cold-like symptoms contact your veterinarian immediately. The vet will probably prescribe a dosage of antibiotics to prevent secondary infections and give you precise care instructions, along with doing tests to see if your cat has FIP or any other conditions. Good luck with your kitty!!!
2006-11-07 12:29:02 · answer #4 · answered by KLT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NEVER give your cat OTC drugs unless you want to kill it! Cats do not get "colds", they get upper respiratory infections which is sounds like you cat has. A vet will most likely give antibiotics to cure it...that is the usual treatment. Stop playing vet, and take your cat to a REAL vet and get the poor thing treated before you end up killing him!!
2006-11-07 18:03:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
MOST DEFINITELY NOT! Cats are not people. He needs to see a vet to find out what is wrong. Cats do not get colds the same as us. This sound more like cat flu and if so he needs proper medication from your vet.
2006-11-07 14:21:49 · answer #6 · answered by Cheryl G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a nasty calicivirus going around here in the midwest. Without treatment, your cat may not survive. OTC meds are very dangerous for cats, they can't meteabolize most of them. Giving a human drug to cat is absolutely the wrong decision.
2006-11-07 12:21:00 · answer #7 · answered by joythegreat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would call the vet. I am no expert ... but I would say no - giving any animal human meds is probably not a good idea. I remember hearing that the drug PCP is used on animals as a seditive ... and I am sure you know that it has an opposite and terrible effect on humans!!!! I would really just call the vet. :)
2006-11-07 12:12:38 · answer #8 · answered by lesliejay63 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Giving a cat aspirin will kill it! Take it to the vet and get it on the right medication.
2006-11-07 12:08:57 · answer #9 · answered by jimmy_chick78 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do no longer provide a cat any drugs - over-the-counter or otherwise - without the direct training of a vet. some discomfort drugs for human beings will kill cats. Even aspirin could nicely be deadly. Cats metabolize aspirin very slowly - meaning that it takes quite an prolonged time for the aspirin to be broken down via the liver and then placed into the urine via the kidneys. too a lot aspirin, the two as a effect of too great a dose or a doses given too on the fringe of gether, will harm the cat's liver and kidneys and that harm can kill the cat. you grants cats aspirin, regardless of if it should be very low doses and you will basically do it approximately as quickly as each and every 3 days. regardless of if, do no longer provide her any aspirin, or something, until eventually you communicate on your vet the following day. we've a cat whose left eye had to be bumped off and the vet sent him residing house with none discomfort mediation and that i spoke of him heavily for some days and he did no longer teach any signs and indicators of discomfort or soreness. in certainty, he went approximately his popular affairs as though he had no longer had any surgery. you're basically going to ought to attend until eventually the vets open and spot approximately getting something from them. attempting to make your recommendations up, on your individual, a discomfort killer to supply a cat can effect in harm to the kidneys and liver and such harm will kill the cat - quicker or later. i understand you prefer to assist your cat, i may rejoice with the place you're coming from, yet please wait and communicate on your vet interior the morning. next time you get a drugs on your cat, shop music of ways a lot you have left so which you would be able to get greater until eventually now you run out. Are you specific there's no longer an after hours emergency medical institution on your area? look interior the yellow pages for one. examine out the itemizing for vets interior the yellow pages, now and back vets have after hour answering centers. you need to even call the police and ask in the event that they understand of an after hours medical institution - the police ought to handle injured cats - at the same time with one hit via a motor vehicle - now and back and that they could understand a pair of medical institution that remains open. observe, regardless of if, that once hours emergency medical institution generally value plenty greater suitable than common clinics. sturdy success
2016-10-15 12:22:31 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋