Cat with a runny nose?

Question

One of my cat's has been sneezing for about a week - and now you can see her nose is runny/bothered. All my cats are indoor only cats, so they haven't gotten anything from outside. The only bad thing is, she was rescued too late to truly tame - so it's VERY difficult to lay hands on her. I don't know if I need to catch her to get her to the vet? I'd rather not if there is something else I can do - it's stressful for her AND us.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Your other cats may or may not succumb to the same virus the one cat has - depending on the strength of their individual immune system. Most viral infections are self-limiting and only need to be of concern if she stops eating or has difficulty breathing. So it is important that you monitor how she is doing.

I have one cat who is very fearful and I have great difficulty getting him into a carrier to take to the vet. I did have some amotriptiline in a get form from the vet and I could put some on the inside of his ear and he would get a little subdued after about 30 minutes so I could get him in a carrier. You can also get some Rescue Remedy from a health foods store and put drops of that on the cat's fur between its ears to reduce anxiety about being put in a carrier and going to the vet. You can put a dropper full of the RR in a spray bottle with filtered water and spray the carrier before putting the cat in. I would spray the carrier and put the drops on the cat too. Take the bottle with you and put drops on the cat when the vet takes her out of the carrier.

The RR is a mixture of five flower essences and cannot harm your cat in any way. It does help reduce anxiety immensely.

Answer 2

Sounds like a respiratory infection so the cat will probably need an antibiotic from the vet and in a week or so (maybe sooner) kitty should be good as new.
If it's a RI than it will not take care of itself and could make the cat very sick so it's probably wise to visit the vet ASAP.... if she is started on meds right away it will probably be cheaper for you and less stressful for the cat....
Good luck, hope kitty gets better soon!

Answer 3

She has most likely caught a respiratory infection and these are often contagious. She needs to go to the vet and may need antibiotics to clear it up. Your other cats are at risk of getting sick too, so you do need to catch her and go - even if it is stressful for you and for her.

Keep in mind that even though its less likely, indoor cats can still catch infectious diseases. Something may have come in the house on your shoes or clothes or you may have petted another cat and brought it home. Many diesease are also airborne and she just got unlucky.