Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The litter tray

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

My poorly lovely girl, any advice or experience?

6 replies

Noclue79 · 25/06/2020 22:21

We got a lovely new kitten 2 yrs ago. As soon as she was home I realised something was wrong. She had constant discharge from her nose. Other than that she was lively, ate and toileted well and was beautiful and delightful. We took her straight to the vets who diagnosed cat flu and prescribed antibiotics. They were very clear that this is a lifelong issue and were quite sombre.

The antibiotics cleared up her runny nose for a while but it soon returned. Thick, green and prolific. She would have spates of sneezing to try and clear it. She mouth breathes frequently. We bought a nebulizer and a steam vaporiser and use both to give her some relief. I must add she is always bright and alert and glossy and doesn't present as a sick cat other than the nose.

Vets again agreed to give antibiotics and said she is suffering secondary bacterial infections caused by damage to her nasal lining. The trouble is that as soon as the antibiotics stop, the gunk is back. The vet is very dismissive in terms of prescribing too frequently and I get that, I understand. As such I now only take her for antibiotics when the mucus starts to be bloody.

I just wondered what I can do? Is this how her life has to be? She gets progressively worse till her gets antibiotics about 3 times a year. Is there anything else I can do for her other than the nebulizer and steam therapy?

She is honestly such a playful, happy little cat. It breaks my heart that she has to put up with this and knows no different really.
Has anyone had similar? What will happen to her in the long run?

OP posts:
Bargebill19 · 25/06/2020 22:33

I’ve never heard of cat flu being a life long issue!
Are you sure it isn’t (now) an allergy?

PenelopePitstop49 · 25/06/2020 22:43

Our cat is now quite elderly but he developed this around 7 or 8 years of age. It cleared up with antibiotics, then was back within a week. He was never unwell with it, but I felt so sorry for him with the constant snotty sneezing, and it was a bit grim clearing cat snot off things........ our vet at the time wasn't that bothered and thankfully a friend recommended a different one to try.

When we went to the new vet, they straight away diagnosed him with chronic rhinitis. They sedated him and washed his sinuses out - they said they were completely clogged with mucus. This made a huge difference, and he also has a powder that goes on his food called Bisolvon if he does get a bit snotty that soon halts it in its tracks. He hasn't had antibiotics now for about 4 years.

If your vet isn't being very pro active, try getting a second opinion.

Noclue79 · 25/06/2020 22:50

Thank you for replying. We do have Bisolvon to go on her food and I do believe it helps her mucus to stay runny. I do wonder about the diagnosis as she was never ever ill at all. So hungry and playful. She also never had mouth or eye ulcers which are indicative of cat flu.

I did wonder about requesting a nasal flush for her. Do you mind if I ask how much it cost?. I'm not flush but would gladly scrape anything together if there is a likely positive outcome for her.

OP posts:
MrsMcCarthysFamousScones · 25/06/2020 22:50

A second opinion sounds good.
Make sure all food bows and betting are cleaned regularly, if she snoozes on a cushion or bed throw make sure they are also cleaned regularly. Wipe nose and eyes regularly and dispose of the tissue instantly.

Anti virals according to rspca website. But pp experience sounds positive. I know someone who’s cats constantly had cat flu. There was rspca involvement in the end-thankfully. Poor things.

As cat flu is caused by viruses, there is no direct cure, so treatment aims to relieve clinical signs until the immune system can clear the infection. Supportive treatment can include pain medication, anti-viral medication, eye drops and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infection.

kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-is-cat-flu-and-how-is-it-managed/

Tadpolesandfroglets · 25/06/2020 22:52

I would definitely taker her elsewhere for a second opinion.

PenelopePitstop49 · 30/06/2020 19:38

Sorry for the delay in replying.

Ours had an xray and a sinus wash (both under sedation at the same time) and it was around £250.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page