Are you thinking of changing your cat's name to Sniffles? I know I am. Kitty cold, or kitty flu as it's sometimes called, is actually feline herpes (Rhinotracheitis). According to veterinarian Dr. Dave Sheen, it is likely that 99 percent of cats will be exposed to this virus in their lifetimes. Not to fear: It's treatable and is not contagious to humans.
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Treatment
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Take your kitty to the vet. While natural remedies like a healthy diet, probiotics (made for cats, not humans) and reiki can be helpful, for this illness you need a professional. When left untreated, the virus will cause mild-to-severe upper respiratory infections, as well as bacterial infections in the eyes, nose, sinuses and ears.
The symptoms you are likely to see include sneezing or a runny nose, watering eyes, itchy or irritated ears and ear discharge. These can often look like mild allergies, but don't be fooled. According to Dr. Sheen, cats rarely get allergies. If a bacterial infection has set in, the discharge from the eyes, nose and ears will be pink to brown colored. Your vet will want to give your cat antibiotics.
Remember that you have several choices in medicines these days, including pills, liquids and even a long-lasting antibiotic shot. Consult with your vet on what's best for you and your cat.
Prevention
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If none of your other cats have shown any of these signs, it doesn't mean that they haven't been exposed to the virus. According to Dr. Sheen, most cats with healthy immune systems are able to fight the virus off with out ever showing symptoms. While there is a vaccine for feline herpes, it doesn't guarantee that your kitty won't get it anyway. It is still a good idea to have your cat vaccinated because if they do catch it, the symptoms are likely to be less severe.
You can also boost your kitty's immune system with a healthy diet. The majority of cat food ingredients start out with filler, such as corn. This would be fine if cats were omnivores, but they're not. When you go to the pet food aisle, look at the ingredients. If the first ingredient listed is corn, that's mostly what the food is made of. Look for foods that list meat as the first ingredient.
Another way to improve your kitty's health is with probiotics, which are natural enzyme supplements that improve digestion. Formulas made specifically for cats can be mixed in with their food or treats.
Finally, an energy therapy called reiki is reported to work well for many ailments and is completely noninvasive. Reiki improves health by improving the flow of energy throughout humans and animals, much like acupuncture but without the needles.
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