Cat Health - Symptoms That Show Your Cat Has a Cold

Just like in us humans, cats can get a cold that can be anything from a nasty sniffle to a full fledged, serious illness. In humans, these illnesses are normally caused by a bug called a rhinovirus but cats can't catch this, so this means that cats can't catch a human's cold. However, they do have their own viruses that can cause cold-like symptoms.

Symptoms of a cold

In cats, the majority of these illnesses are caused by two infections - calcivirus or herpesvirus. Symptoms come between a few days to two weeks after exposure to the virus and these symptoms include:

· Sneezing - sneezing is often the first symptom you will notice in a cat that has a cold virus and is designed to clear the nasal passages, just like it is in humans

· Runny nose - or nasal discharge is when the virus irritates the lining of the nose and the body produces mucus to clear this. This mucus leaks from the nose or is expelled through sneezing

· Weeping eyes - a discharge from the eyes is often called conjunctivitis and can be a condition in its own right. It also happens as a symptom of a cold and sees mucus build up in the eyes that then forms an uncomfortable crust. This needs to be wiped away with a warm, damp cloth

· Mouth breathing - as the nose becomes blocked, cats will breathe through the mouth instead

· Lethargy - when fighting a virus, the cat will often become lethargic and tired as the body uses resources for the immune system. They will often sleep more and have less interest in their environment

· Fever - cats have a normal body temperature between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit and during a cold virus, this will likely increase, though it is hard to detect

· Loss of appetite - because they feel bad and can't smell properly, they will often eat less

In addition to these symptoms, there are others that may indicate a more serious condition than a common cold. Coughing is one such symptom as this normally indicates the infection has spread to the lungs and mucus is being created there. Laboured breathing is another sign though is often associated with a blocked nose but can indicate fluid in the lungs that will need antibiotics. Dark coloured mucus is another problem as it is normally creamy or clear - if it turns yellow, green or brown then this can be a sign of a secondary bacterial infection.

Treatment

Whilst it might be tempting to give a cat a drop of human cold medicine or something designed for dogs, this is a bad idea as the ingredients won't work the same on cats and could make them very ill or even be fatal. If you need medication, speak to your vet who will provide the correct drugs for the feline system.

Most of the time, it is a case of waiting it out with your cat and the illness will pass, just like it does in a human. Keep them away from drafts, warm and comfortable even if they have a temperature and consider a cool mist vaporizer to help with the mucus build-up. Make sure they drink plenty and offer strong smelling foods that they like as their appetite will be diminished by a loss of their sense of smell.

Credit: Angela Tempest