Mr C has sneezed - medical emergency?

[Lanaorana1]

He's sneezed three times in 48 hours, has a faintly runny eye, and is very drowsy. All discharges clear.

I nearly called an ambulance yesterday when he didn't get up for his breakfast, and refused a dreamie. But over the day he ate 4 pouches (the ones I'd shot to M&S for in hope of bringing back his will to live) and hassled me for a sausage followed by a belly rub.

He is purring next to me but has not eaten breakfast again. Have cancelled lunch out and will sit with him.

[thecatneuterer]

Oh dear. It sounds as though he's getting flu. Is he fully vaccinated? If so he shouldn't get it very badly. It doesn't stop cats getting it altogether though.

He will probably need antibiotics (even though it's a virus - this is a bit of a mystery to me - something to do with causing secondary bacterial infections I think) and eye ointment. But it sounds as though it can wait until tomorrow.

[MycatsaPirate]

Boy cat sneezes a lot, I think he gets fur up his nose.

I've noticed all the cats here are sleeping in longer in the mornings, probably as the mornings are darker and they can't be bothered getting up when it's chilly outside. So breakfast is later and they still eat the same amount, just at different times.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Did he pick flu up when he was a street cat?

[cozietoesie]

Seniorboy started getting some flu-ey symptoms when he was about 17. I reckon that his immune system is gradually worsening with age and things are manifesting slightly that it could cope with when he was younger.

We just live with it. (Although he has AB injections if it gets bad. He has a very indulgent vet practice.)

[Lanaorana1]

Thanks so much all. I will get him there tomorrow first thing, stuff work. He is not vaccinated as never goes out and the vet didn't say it was necessary - but he is FIV tho so I am extra vigilant.

Is still purring. Has accepted fistful of Dreamies from trembling hand. I shall sit with him and do a movie, which will go down very well indeed.

[cozietoesie]

Just to add - I'm not at all sure about Seniorboy's vaccination history when he was young. (He may have had his first course and then no boosters - he was a vet-phobic when he came to me.) I started him off afresh, at 14, and he still had occasional symptoms. (They've lessened now.) As TCN said, they don't stop everything though.

[fuzzywuzzy]

Does sound like the beginnings of cat flu. It hits quite suddenly and escalates fast. Our older boy had it recently he was on two different types of pills and decongestant powder sprinkled on his food he was also given and injection by the vet.

He's all better now apart from the odd sneeze so we're continuing with the decongestant powder.

I'd get him to the vets sooner rather than later as when their noses are blocked they stop eating because they can't smell the food.

Was very scary the first time our boys had it, they both ended up staying at vets for days as they'd become dehydrated and we're refusing food.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Cats get flu??!!!

Oh dear God, ANOTHER thing to worry about. Whoever said cats were fur the lazy pet owner was WRONG!

OP, hope another few pouches pull him through I'm lucky to get Puccini to eat one in a day!😺

[Lanaorana1]

I have racheted up the petcare levels and nipped out for some tins of Gourmet. One has gone. We have also enjoyed a successful comfort break (inc. finale yowl of triumph, the whole of Clapham knows about it, not to mention me bawling Well Done Darling) and now we are back on the sofa.

Purring has resumed. Mewed at each other a bit, might take the hint and have a nap.

By the way, Waitrose expensive cat litter is grim. The smell of old tyres, not anything to do with Mr C, is past belief.