Has anyone else had problems with URI's

[moosmom]

3 of my 6 cats have upper respiratory infections and are on medicine. The sneezing is unbelievable. Casey, Mollie Rose and MooShoo all sneeze like 10 times in a row and this junk comes out of their noses. Mollie has had it the longest and for the life of me, I can't figure out why. She's been diagnosed with kitty asthma and was prescribed Prednisone. I took her to a vet in Michigan recently and he put her on Interferon and Orbax once a day. I'm worried about her. Here's why:

I saw Animal Planet the other day where a guy brought his cat in who was suffering from shortness of breathe. The cat was originally diagnosed with kitty asthma and put on prednisone. They took x-rays of his chest and found fluid in the lungs. The vet diagnosed him with FIP. They drew 700 cc's of fluid out of his lungs. The vet said it would only get worse. He said the cat would have to be brought in every week to have the fluid drained. Eventually the cat would die. The vet said if it was his cat, he'd have him put down because he couldn't see putting the cat through having a needle put into his side every week to have the fluid taken out.

I hope and pray this is not Mollie's problem. I think I mentioned before that Moo tested positive for FIP, which means all my other cats have also been exposed.

Has anyone else had problems with sneezing and stuff. My vet said he has never seen so many cats with URI's in a long time.

[sasvermont]

I believe UTI is a virus, yes? Well, until they all get clean bills of health, I suppose it is being passed back and forth. I know at the shelter where I volunteer, we wash or hands thoroughly between cat petting, feeding etc. so that we don't spread germs/viruses. I would change Vets or at least consult with another Vet just to be sure you and your furry friends are heading in the right direction treatment wise.

Keep us posted.

[jenluckenbach]

Yes, URI are very contagious, and it is probably going around and around. The asthma is probably not helping little Mollie. Does your vet think an xray is in order for Mollie's case? Unfortunalty I do not have enough knowledge about FIP to be of much help. Even the people at the vet's office say that is a very difficult disease. They could carry it for months or years and have no effect. ^ years ago I lost a 12 years old cat to FIP, at least that was the diagnosis at the time. But I had her for those 12 years of her life, and how could she have had it. None of my others ever seemed to get sick after her and until this month I haven't even thought about it again except i have a sick cat and am wondering myself if this disease isn't coming back to haunt me. But for URI, I do belive they last a week or 2 so maybe the asthma just makes it worse for her.
Keep us posted.

I have no experience in this , sorry ! Hope all goes well !!

[moosmom]

I've come to the conclusion that it is allergies. Why?? Because none of my other cats have caught it. If it were a cold, they'd all be sneezing and wheezing.

[Nomilynn]

I hope the allergy theory is right! For that, a small dose of Benedryl is safe for cats, but I would call the vet and get a correct dosage for your kitty's weight. Thank goodness it isn't too serious!!

[moosmom]

Nomilyn,

I wish I could get my hands on Zythromax. A vet I went to in CT prescribed it for my cats and it worked wonders! It's a pediatric antibiotic that is frequently used in treating cats with URI's. No one here has heard of it.

[wayne0214]

This morning, first thing, I rushed Silver Prince to the vet with stuffy nose and sneezing. He said that Prince had Upper Respiratory Infection (URI). 'Gave him a shot and told me to give him a anti-viral infection tablet daily. I didn't know he was sick until I sat next to him this morning, then I heard his weezing and saw his weakness. I did notice yesterday that he slept all afternoon, and didn't come to breakfast this morning either. I hope he gets better soon, as I would not want something to happen to him also.

.........wayne

[Cataholic]

Wayne- here comes a big hug and a prayer for your baby.....

[trinity]

We have gone thru the antibiotic routine a few times with our guys. The small black cat we used to have (she moved in with a friend of mine to be an "only cat" and is much happier now) used to get the upper resp. gunkies on a regular basis. Not that it is a pleasant sound to have to listen to but little cat sneezes are almost funny...anyway it always cleared up within a few days of the antibiotic so there is light at the end of the tunnel! Sending lots of hugs and healthy thoughts

[tatsxxx11]

Although I have had kitties my entire life, last year was my first experience with URI in my clan. My Mr. B started sneezing constantly, sometimes 10-20 in a row!! And his eyes and nose were runny and dripping! He also suffers from asthma so I immediately took him to the vets'. It was midnight! But with his asthma, and advanced age, I was very worried that his respir. system would be greatly affected. He was treated with an injection of Amoxicillin and then given a 10 day course of oral Amoxicillin. Within a few days, my Oliver started sneezing too and was give the same treatment. I was wondering if your baby is given Pred. for acute asthma attacks?? The two vets I have been with over the past several years no longer prescribe oral steroids for feline asthma. It is now believed (they say) that cats do not respond to oral steroids well. ( Unlike dogs) Now, when he experiences an acute attack I bring him to the vets' for a injection of Solu Cortef. They are very retisent to do even this unless his attack is severe or if he has a very persistent cough, as steroids greatly compromise the immune system, making them very vulnerable to opportunistic infections such as URI! Since Mollie is on Prednisone, I'm wondering if this isn't contributing to her suseptibilityto URI. I'm just now reading up on FIP. I pray too that this is not Mollie's diagnosis! Have you talked to your vet about this? He should be able to rule it out and ease your mind! Love and get well wishes for you Mollie girl and the whole furry bunch!