Menu
  • Services
    • Dog Training
    • Euthanasia
    • Grooming
    • Kennels/Boarding
    • Microchipping
    • Preventative Care
      • Bloodwork
      • Dental
      • Parasite Prevention
      • Spaying or Neutering Your Pet
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Care/Checkups
    • Radiology
    • Surgery
  • Patient Center
    • Print Forms
    • Payment Options
    • Pet Wellness Program
    • Tour Pet Hospital
  • About Us
    • AAHA Accredited Practice
    • Meet the Team
    • Community Involvement
    • Testimonials
  • Resources
    • Blog
  • Contact
    • Appointment Request
  • Pet Portal
  • Online Store
Healthy Pet Hospital
Healthy Pet Hospital
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Cats >
  • Could Those Sniffles Be a Symptom of the Feline Flu?

Could Those Sniffles Be a Symptom of the Feline Flu?

  • Created in Newsletter Library, Cats

The flu doesn't just affect people. Your cat can develop the viral infection, too. Although most cats recover fully from a bout of the flu, it can be particularly hard on young, old and immune-compromised cats. Take a look at a few symptoms that can occur if your furry friend has the feline flu.

Common Symptoms of Feline Flu

Your pet will experience many of the same symptoms you do when you have the flu. Common signs and symptoms include:

  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Red or pink eyelids
  • Fever
  • Eye discharge
  • Dehydration
  • Raspy voice when meowing
  • Joint pain
  • Appetite loss
  • Fatigue
  • Ulcers in the mouth or in and around the eyes

Most cases of the feline flu last 10 days to three weeks. Your cat may first begin to feel sick about two to five days after he or she has been exposed to a virus.

Causes of the Feline Flu

Flu symptoms are most often caused by exposure to the feline calicivirus (FCV) or feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) viruses. The viruses spread when an infected cat sneezes or coughs and your cat inhales the infected air droplets, or when your cat comes in contact with a water bowl, blanket, toy, litter box or other objects that contains the saliva of an infected cat.

Once cats are infected by the feline flu, they become lifelong carriers. They can infect other cats if they shed the virus. Fortunately, shedding usually only occurs if your pet is stressed. The events that cats find overwhelming vary, but may include adding a new person or animal to the household or moving to a new home. When cats shed the flu virus, they often become sick again, although it's possible to shed the virus without exhibiting any signs of illness.

You may be an unwitting source of the feline flu. Because the virus can survive on surfaces for hours as long as it remains moist, you may unknowingly bring it into your home on your clothing or shoes.

Consulting the Veterinarian

Consulting your veterinarian is a good idea if your pet develops any of the symptoms of feline flu. It's often possible to make a diagnosis based on your cat's symptoms, although your pet's veterinarian may want to confirm the diagnosis with blood and urine tests and X-rays, in some cases. If you suspect your cat has feline flu, please let your veterinarian's office know that when booking the appointment. They may want to take special precautions so that your sick pet does not infect others when you bring them in for a visit.

Although antibiotics aren't helpful in treating viruses, your cat's vet can offer treatments aimed at preventing complications and making your cat more comfortable. For example, painful mouth ulcers may force your pet to stop drinking water, which can lead to dehydration. During your cat's visit to the veterinarian, he or she may receive intravenous liquids to restore the normal balance of fluids and electrolytes.

Veterinary care is essential if you cat is very young or old, has a disease that affects the immune system or has a chronic health condition or disease, such as kidney failure or diabetes. These pets may be more likely to develop pneumonia or other secondary infections and must be carefully monitored and treated promptly should complications occur.

Making Your Cat More Comfortable

Not surprisingly, cats who have the feline flu are often miserable. You can make your cat more comfortable by trying a few of these tips:

  • Use a cool mist vaporizer to ease breathing. (Be sure to place it place it out of reach of your cat.)
  • Wipe away discharge from the eyes and mouth with a moist cloth.
  • Provide a variety of foods to tempt your pet to eat. (Heating food and offering smelly foods can be helpful if your cat's sense of smell is affected by a stuffy nose.)
  • Move a litter box closer to your cat's preferred resting place.
  • Provide a warm bed away from drafts in a quiet part of the house.

Preventing the Feline Flu

Vaccinating your cat can provide protection from the flu. Although the vaccine is effective against the most common strains of feline flu, it's possible that your cat could still become sick if infected by a less common or new flu strain.

Separating an ill cat from healthy cats is important if you have multiple cats. Washing bedding and blankets often and cleaning hard surfaces regularly will help protect your other cats from becoming sick.

Are you concerned that your cat might have the feline flu or another illness? Prompt veterinary treatment can help your furry friend recover and avoid serious complications. Contact us today to schedule a convenient appointment.

Sources:

VetInfo: A Guide to Cat Flu Treatment

https://www.vetinfo.com/guide-cat-flu-treatment.html

PetMD: Feline Calicivirus Infection in Cats

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_ct_feline_calicivirus?page=show

Healthy Pets: Spreads Like Crazy and Makes Your Pet Miserable – Is It Serious, 6/18/17

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2017/06/18/calicivirus.aspx

PetMD: Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) Infection - Head Cold in Cats

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_ct_feline_rhinotracheitis?page=2

Our Location

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Healthy Pet Hospital

Monday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Featured Articles
  • Signs on Heatstroke: Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer

    Do you know how to protect your pet from heatstroke? ...

    Read More
  • Why Heartworm Protection Is Necessary for All Pets

    Is your pet protected against heartworm? ...

    Read More
  • Cat-Safe House Plants

    Not sure which house plants are safe for your cat? Take a look at our list. ...

    Read More
  • Feline Skin Allergy Symptoms and Care

    Has scratching become your cat's favorite activity? A skin allergy may be to blame. ...

    Read More
  • The Next Step

    The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. How do I tell my family? Family members usually are already aware of a pet's problems. However, you should ...

    Read More
  • Battling Canine Cancer

    Every day, Cindy Fleischner lines up her crew of cuddly canines for breakfast. As the four other dogs eat, Cindy pulls Katy, her 12 year old Shepherd mix aside for a peanut butter treat. Katy is battling lymphoma and this treat hides her daily dose of chemotherapy drugs. Katy is not alone in this war. ...

    Read More
  • Gastroenteritis in Pets

    Lengthy bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can be a sign that your pet has gastroenteritis, a common condition that occurs when the lining of the stomach and intestines becomes irritated. Since frequent diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, a visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if you notice ...

    Read More
  • What You Need to Know About Antibiotics

    Using antibiotics incorrectly may harm, rather than help, your pet. ...

    Read More
  • Training Tips for Your Pets

    Has training your pet been a frustrating experience? These training tips may help. ...

    Read More
  • World Rabies Day

    Has your pet's rabies vaccine expired? Update it during World Rabies Day on September 28. ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

Testimonials

Testimonials

  • "The most important thing, of course, is the care my dog received, and by that measure I have nothing to complain about. However, every time I've been to Pet Hospital, I've had to wait long periods of time--a long time to drop my dog off, and a long time to pick him up. In both cases, it was over a half-hour, and given that I had to notify my job twice while I was waiting that I would be later than anticipated, that is much too long."
    Peter W.
  • "Everyone is very friendly and supportive. A calm climate for my anxious little guy!"
    Suzanne V.
  • "Always a positive experience at Pet Hospital. The office staff loves seeing the dogs, and the dogs are actually excited to go there."
    Tom W.
  • "Incredible service!! I needed a same morning minor emergency appointment and was seen in 15 min. The doctor and vet techs go out of their way to make the examination as stress free as possible. I drive from Costa Mesa to this hospital."
    Kathryn A
  • "Enjoyed meeting Dr. K...He is a wonderful addition to the staff.
    Exam and grooming went off without a hitch.
    Thank you"
    Anonymous
  • "Pet hospital is prompt, friendly, and professional in all aspects of care for my pet and toward me as a owner. Gracie is family to me and her care is paramount. I am never disappointed at the way she is loved and treated here. I wouldn't take her anywhere else.!"
    Anonymous