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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Help please? What should I do?

26 replies

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/02/2013 14:20

One of my cats wont stop sneezing and snuffling, it's been going on a fair while but I didn't think much of it.

It's pretty much constant now though. :(

What should I do? Will she need to see a vet?

Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/02/2013 14:41

Bump.

Have been googling and it's really worrying me.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 10/02/2013 15:01

Yes it's almost certainly cat flu. She will just need some antibiotics. Take her to the vet.

lljkk · 10/02/2013 15:22

Agree, take her tomorrow if not sooner.

Fluffycloudland77 · 10/02/2013 15:25

Pets at home vets are open Sundays.

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/02/2013 15:26

The earliest I can take her is tomorrow. Will she be okay until then?

She is eating well, can't say much for activity as all she does is sleep anyway. Confused

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Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/02/2013 15:27

Also, I have another 2 cats and they don't seem to be affected, will they have to go to the vets too?

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lljkk · 10/02/2013 15:29

Have other cats got up to date jabs?

If you can't take her anywhere today you can't (I guess P@H closes in 1/2 hour, anyway?). I wouldn't worry unless she takes an obvious sudden turn for the worse.

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/02/2013 15:33

No they don't Blush.

It has been a fair while since they have been vaccinated, they had been completely indoors since we got them but we moved a few months back and couldn't keep them indoors, got caught up with a lot and I forgot.

I feel truely awful now and I know I should. :(

It's just sneezing at the moment, will keep an eye on her and get her to the vets tomorrow.

OP posts:
lljkk · 10/02/2013 15:33

If they have ever been vaccinated they have a chance of retained immunity, or may be lucky and only have mild illness.

Don't feel bad, focus on what you can do now.

thecatneuterer · 10/02/2013 15:34

No it doesn't have to be immediately - untreated cat flu can cause problems if untreated longterm, and can be fatal in kittens, but a day or two shouldn't make too much difference. And no you don't need to take the other two unless they start to show signs too and, if their jabs are up to date, that makes it less likely they will get it, although not impossible.

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/02/2013 15:37

They've all been vaccinated and had at least 2 boosters. Hopefully they will have retained some immunity.

Would flu not get better after a while? This has been going on since before Xmas, I just didn't notice it as much before but it's got a lot worse.

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thecatneuterer · 10/02/2013 15:41

While flu is a virus, in cats it frequently goes to to cause bacterial infections, which don't get better on their own, which is why antibiotics are needed. And if left untreated long term it can cause serious problems.

lljkk · 10/02/2013 15:42

they call it "cat flu" but it's rather different from human flu, doesn't present in same way or have same prognosis or need same types of treatment.

could be a different type of respiratory problem, too, really just need to get it checked out.

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/02/2013 15:48

I will go ASAP, tomorrow morning.

I really hope she's okay. :(

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SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 10/02/2013 16:24

Cat flu is a life long illness. The symptoms may only show up now and again but it remains in their system permanently.

You don't need to panic too much if the cat is just snuffly, the biggest risks are of pneumonia/respiratory problems and of severe eye infection. If the cat isn't showing any signs of these then vet tomorrow will be fine.

I take in strays and all my current cats are carriers (all quite ill with it when I found them). One almost lost his eye as a kitten due to cat flu and several of them have recurrent respiratory issues. That being said they're all big healthy happy cats and cat flu hasn't caused them much discomfort and as long as they're not stressed symptoms rarely show up.

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/02/2013 17:24

Summer Thanks for all that info', I have phoned the emergency vets and they have told me to keep an eye on her and see them on Tuesday morning.

I hope your little kittens eye was okay?

I'm a bit worried as she must have caught this from another cat? The only cat she goes near is the cat upstairs and they have just also got a 6 week old kitten. Confused

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SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 10/02/2013 19:06

He has a scar in his cornea but his eyesight is fine. A miracle really considering how bad he was when I found him... Vet wanted to put him down, so glad I fought for him.

She probably got it from the kitten, chances are the kitten is from an infected litter... They often don't show many symptoms themselves as they get some antibodies from the mother who will also be infected, so they skip the initial infection symptoms in many cases.

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/02/2013 19:38

I am so glad he is fine, he is lucky to have someone who would fight so hard for him. :)

Should I tell the neighbour if it does turn out to be flu? If it has come from the kitten then it has been passed to their older cat as that's the only one she goes near... He gets shoved outside pretty much constantly even when it is freezing/snowing, I doubt he would manage well if he got ill. :(

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SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 10/02/2013 22:02

Tbh, the owner doesn't sound particularly responsible between the 6 week old kitten and the chucking the cat outdoors in all weather... Doesn't sound like they'd do much if you told them Sad

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/02/2013 22:14

I've posted about them before unfortunately. :(

The older one tries to climb in our windows even when they are only opened at the top so we have to keep them constantly shut, he's scared of my girl cat but still comes in the house and rushes to the food bowl with them hissing at him. Confused

I don't really think he's ever inside.

After they got the kitten they had a party the next day (think completely pissed and nightclub volume music with people jumping up and down and shouting all night) poor thing must have been terrified, our doors shake when they have parties and you can see the ceiling bouncing.

I suppose that's another thread. I've been a crap cat owner myself, I should have got them up to date with their jabs, now feeling really guilty.

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thecatneuterer · 10/02/2013 22:21

A six week old kitten should not be outside. You should report them. Better still you should take the kitten and find a better home for him (maybe even in your house?)

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/02/2013 22:23

The kitten isn't outside, the older cat is but the older cat mixes with mines.

I haven't seen the kitten yet, have just been told that they got it. I am hoping it is okay.

I'm worried if it hasn't come from them and it has come from my cat that the kitten gets it. :(

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thecatneuterer · 10/02/2013 22:40

Oh sorry. I misunderstood. It seems more likely that your cat got it from theirs, and if the kitten has it then it can be very serious and even cause blindness. It would be a good idea to mention it to them, but then they don't sound very responsible. Worth a try though.

Original poster
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/02/2013 22:42

I will talk to them tomorrow.

Hope the little one is okay. :(

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thecatneuterer · 10/02/2013 22:43

Oh, and I forgot to say - don't beat yourself up about not being a good 'cat mother'. It sounds as though you're doing fine. I think all cat owners who care find things to beat themselves up about (and just wait till the 'I had him put down too soon/not soon enough' self-recriminations start - but hopefully that won't be for a very long time).

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