A month ago, I adopted a cat from a shelter! They didn't tell me she was starting an URI. My other cat caught it and both took antibiotics! They were okay and now cat no.3 is starting to get it and is giving it back to cat no.2. Will they give it back to the first one?? How can she get it twice in a month??
2007-08-27 02:41:28 · 8 answers · asked by CTU 7 in Pets ➔ Cats
If the URI is viral, antibiotics won't do any good to treat it, but it will prevent or treat a secondary bacterial infection so that the virus can, eventually, go away.
If herpes virus is suspect -- its very common among shelter cats -- 500 to 1000 mg of l-lysine amino acid mixed into food and water daily for each cat will, in time, supress the virus. Some breeders and shelters give it to all of their cats, 250 to 500 mg daily, all the time, even when there is no illness.
If there is a bacterial infection, the antibiotic may not have been the right one or the duration of treatment should have been longer.
Interferon orally and/or dropped in the eyes can boost immunity during a URI outbreak.
Talk to your vet. He/She will know what the next steps should be. If you or your vet can be in contact with the shelter's vet, even better, because they may know which URI is affecting the cats there and therefore which treatment protocal is best. If it is unknown, then testing may be in order to find out.
2007-08-27 05:28:02 · answer #1 · answered by Pam and Corey 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
All three should be treated at the same time--your vet is the best one to ask about this.
Most URI's go away after two weeks though, on their own. We've had a few cats in our household get these, and two or three of the others never did, even though they were all exposed to the one with the original infection. Depends on the cat's conditions. Some will catch it, some won't.
2007-08-27 20:39:27 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I adopted a cat from the local shelter and he had a "cold". They called in rhino something I think. Not really sure. He told me it was a virus but then said just in case let me give you this. He gave me nose drops and antibiotics for all 3 of my cats because he said they were all going to get it. He said as long as one had it they would pass it back and forth also. This went on for about 2 months. We got over it and it's about 2 yrs later now. Good luck!
2007-08-27 21:53:42 · answer #3 · answered by Leigh Ann 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they will keep passing the virus back and forth to each other. Keep them isolated from each other, wash their food and water dishes and litter box at least twice per day and clean their rooms daily. Use some bleach in the cleaning water (about 1 tablespoon per gallon of water) and let everything air dry. I put the cats in crates while cleaning their rooms and then clean the crate before the next use. Spray furniture upholstery with a disinfectant spray. Get them back to the vet and get more medication, keep their eyes and noses clean (use plain sterile water and cotton pads). A drop or 2 of sterile saline solution in their noses helps to break up the mucus and a cool mist vaporizer also helps (adds humidity to the air). Keep them warm and comfortable and cuddle them lots. Make sure they are eating and drinking, check for dehydration (pull up the skin on the back of their neck; it should go down quickly. If it stays up, they are dehydrated). Oh, and make sure you change your clothes after caring for each cat and wash your hands with soap and water! If the cat sneezes on your clothes, you will pass the virus back to the next cat. I have a few smocks to wear over my clothes. It usually takes 2 weeks for the virus to run its course. Once the cat stops sneezing, wait 2 or 3 days before letting the cat into the rest of their home. It is a lot of work, but they will get better. Good luck.
2007-08-27 12:33:21 · answer #4 · answered by dog2agility 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sorry to say you need to get all 3 cats there shots at the same time when you said shelter that saids alot they don't take good care of them no matter what they tell you there amun systems are down so bring all 3 to the vet and get the 6 in 1 shot or 8 in 1 shots you can buy these shots at a tractor supply store they are only 6.00 each but you need to keep them cold untill you give them out it's a 2 part shot you mix liq to the powder shake well then drew it up into the needle then inject into the skin of the back of the neck this needs to be done 2 times at 6 weeks apart then only 1 time a years.also get your kittys vitamins biuld up there amun systems
2007-08-27 12:32:57 · answer #5 · answered by MrMike 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Te shelter is not always aware if a cat has a viral infection when they get it. I got a cat last December from the local shelter and took him to see our vet that afternoon--to make sure that there wasn't a problem
2007-08-27 15:46:08 · answer #6 · answered by RK 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the one cat is getting it back that quickly then maybe they never fully recovered. You should keep them isolated until they are fully recovered. Check with the vet and see if you should disinfect all ares that the cats have contact with. They could have picked it back up from surface areas such as feeding bowls, litter boxes, furniture,etc.
2007-08-27 10:49:19 · answer #7 · answered by skittles2 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes they can get it again.
2007-08-27 11:04:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋