Cat Flu Advice!!

Carmela · #1 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 02:17 PM

Hi all,

I have recently seen alot of posts from people who have purchased kittens which have developed Cat Flu. I myself have done this recently and I just want the people on here that have done the same thing to have a little reassurance and advice. Im no expert, but here are few tricks I have tried and they have perked Milli-Moo up a treat.

All advice given to me below is from my vets, however please consult your vet before practicing any of these as your kitties illness may vary from Millies. Vets are more than happy to answer any telephone queries

1) Confine his/her to one room as if you have other cats etc they can pick it up, plus as he/she is in one room, you will find it easier to clean.
2) Always have 2 blankets, wash one on the first day and the second on the day after...just to reduce the risk again.
3) Boil hot water, and let it cool to a lukewarm temperature. Bathe his/her eyes with cotton wool pads making sure you DO NOT switch to another eye with the same cotton wool pad. *Always use serperate pads for each eye*
4) Boil another bowl of hot water and stick this underneath his/her head so he/she can inhale the steam, if he/she is quite placid place a tea towel over his/her head and the bowl so he/she can inhale more effectivly.
5) Buy some Olbas Oil and place this on your furniture/curtains/bedding. Anywhere where he/she goes...DO NOT PUT THIS ON KITTIES SKIN AS THIS WILL IRRITATE HIM/HER.
6) In his/her room, make sure there is a litter tray that is accessable, however it may be an idea to put a sheet or something down for the first couple of days.
7) If you have a dehumidifier place it in the room, as it also helps with respirtorial problems.
8) Obviously wash out food/water bowls everyday as it reduces the risk of infection.
9) Where an overall when in the room or near the kittie, as your clothes can carry infection with you and to your other kitties.
10) Wash your hands after contact with the kitty to reduce the risk of reinfection.
11) If your kitty is pedigree PLEASE REPORT IT TO THE GCCF. Breeders like this should not be tolerated, and it is no way under no circumstances your fault. Infact you have probably increased the kitties chance of a full recovery by 40% due to the fact breeders have so many cats that there is a higher risk of re-infection and of course there are cats that are carriers of Cat Flu.

All advice below was advice given to me by the GCCF complaints department, and should you have any queries should please contact them;

If you should decided to report your breeder to the GCCF, here is a list of things the GCCF shall need sent to them;
. A signed formal letter of complaint
. Vetinary evidence to support allegations, which should include a signed statement from your vetinary surgeon giving the date of first examination and treatment given, together with any copies of test results and clinical history.
. Copies of the kittens pedigree, vaccination certificate, sale agreement and registration documents.

Please be aware that in the matter of refunds or compensation. This would be a contractual matter between the two of you and not one in which the GCCF can become involved. I would suggest that you seek legal advice either from your local authorities Consumer Protection Department or your local Citizens advice Bureau, if not a solicitor

Jen26 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 02:24 PM

Great advice, I hope your kitty makes a speedy recovery

Carmela · #3 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen26

Great advice, I hope your kitty makes a speedy recovery

Thanks Jen

Just hope it helps others as Millie is making a speedy recovery and I hope it helps all the others too

shortbackandsides · #4 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 02:46 PM

excellent posts,there does seem to be a lot of cases out there at the moment

only thing i would add is that the inhalation method may be safer if kitty was confined in a carrier with the bowl outside with a towel over both

Carmela · #5 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortbackandsides

excellent posts,there does seem to be a lot of cases out there at the moment

only thing i would add is that the inhalation method may be safer if kitty was confined in a carrier with the bowl outside with a towel over both

Actually I never thought of that!!! I may try that with Millie tonight, thank you!! Would be much easier than having to hold her!!!

ging75 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 06:03 PM

As a lot of you proberly know when i bought Harvey after a week the vet confirmed he had cat flue he has had 2 lots of antibitics and eye drops he perks up for a while then the starts sneezing and eyes yukky all over again, i took him back the vets today and they have put him on a higher dose of antibotics and for 14 days this time more eye drops and sachets to add to his food, he in himself is fine eating and drinking well and putting on weight, i do hope this time it all clears up, the vet has told me he will never be 100% clear he proberly will always carry the virus, my vet said she is seeing more and more cases of kittens being sold with cat flue.

Saikou · #7 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ging75

the vet has told me he will never be 100% clear he proberly will always carry the virus,

Thats not strictly true, it depends on whether the virus is calici or herpes. Herpes is the one that stays in the nervous system and can reappear at times of stress. Your vet would have to swab your kitten to know what virus he was dealing with, if he hadn't done that, then his statement is incorrect.

There are some other bits to consider as well. Just because a cat/kitten is vaccinated it doesn't stop them contracting flu completely, for calici where there like human flu there are multiple strains and the vaccine is only as good as the last known strains, it just lessens the symptoms considerably.

You should ensure that any kitten you purchase has at least 7 days from their last vaccination, especially if that kitten has been given a live virus vaccine (which most seem to be now). Any vaccine is an assult on their immune systems and they need time to recover. The stress of a move to a new home lowers their immune system, if they have not recovered fully from their last vaccine, then they can succomb to flu symtoms, but these are usually fairly mild. Its doesn't always mean that the kitten was ill before the purchaser got him/her.

A lot of vets have "anti breeder" issues are are all too quick to imply that its a problem from the breeder without really knowing. There are two sides to every story.

Carmela · #8 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saikou

Thats not strictly true, it depends on whether the virus is calici or herpes. Herpes is the one that stays in the nervous system and can reappear at times of stress. Your vet would have to swab your kitten to know what virus he was dealing with, if he hadn't done that, then his statement is incorrect.

There are some other bits to consider as well. Just because a cat/kitten is vaccinated it doesn't stop them contracting flu completely, for calici where there like human flu there are multiple strains and the vaccine is only as good as the last known strains, it just lessens the symptoms considerably.

You should ensure that any kitten you purchase has at least 7 days from their last vaccination, especially if that kitten has been given a live virus vaccine (which most seem to be now). Any vaccine is an assult on their immune systems and they need time to recover. The stress of a move to a new home lowers their immune system, if they have not recovered fully from their last vaccine, then they can succomb to flu symtoms, but these are usually fairly mild. Its doesn't always mean that the kitten was ill before the purchaser got him/her.

A lot of vets have "anti breeder" issues are are all too quick to imply that its a problem from the breeder without really knowing. There are two sides to every story.

I think what you say is fair and true, however I have just bought a British Shorthaired from a breeders, and I only found out on Saturday *when I took her to the Vet* That the breeders vet had advised against the live vaccination due to my kitten being so ill. However the breeder "insisted" on having her done for a quick sale! She cleaned her up and by time I got her home the symptoms were showing again. Im appauled she sold her to me like this, and even more appauled at the fact she insisted on the vaccination, despite the Vet advising not to!!!

So yes there are 2 sides to every story but if a kitten has symptoms and a breeder says its just an eye infection and then telling me her insurance is in the bag and when I get home there isnt no insurance!!! I think my case is rested. It is the breeders responsibility and if they do not wish to spend the money then they should not be in the business!!!!!

This post is to advise those who are currently in need of quick advice, and for those to discuss THEIR side of the story. We are not saying all breeders are crap as majority are not...however....there is the few out there and one in which I myself have encountered!!!

Carmela · #9 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ging75

As a lot of you proberly know when i bought Harvey after a week the vet confirmed he had cat flue he has had 2 lots of antibitics and eye drops he perks up for a while then the starts sneezing and eyes yukky all over again, i took him back the vets today and they have put him on a higher dose of antibotics and for 14 days this time more eye drops and sachets to add to his food, he in himself is fine eating and drinking well and putting on weight, i do hope this time it all clears up, the vet has told me he will never be 100% clear he proberly will always carry the virus, my vet said she is seeing more and more cases of kittens being sold with cat flue.

Poor kitty, I hope Harvey recovers quickly. I wonder how much it costs to find out if your kitty is a carrier as I am thinking of getting this done...does any one know???

Saikou · #10 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 06:38 PM

Hey I am not saying no sick kittens are sold!! I am just trying to point out that in some circumstances, if you pick up a healthy kitten from a breeder and it subsequently, days later develops flu symptoms, then it MAY not be as cut and dried as the kitten was definitely sick and came with an illness contracted in the breeders house. Its the other side of the coin that should be expressed for all round information. I am not debating anything, just stating a fact, so anyone reading these threads has all the facts to interpret as they will for their case in hand.

Your kitten was clearly ill when you purchased her. No decent breeder would sell a kitten with "just a" anything.

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