As a new year begins, we in the feral cat “business” are alreadylooking ahead at what the coming kitten season will bring. 2011 wasa difficult year, full of the usual drop offs of unwanted kittenson our doorsteps, many of them ill with chronic URI (upperrespiratory infection). URI is the generic term used for any viralor bacterial infection causing cold-like symptoms in a cat.
Kittens either came to us sick or developed symptoms while incrowded foster homes. URIs are highly contagious (to other catsonly), so treatment must be quick in order to prevent full-fledgedoutbreaks within multi-cat households. Each year local shelters andrescue groups temporarily have to close their doors due to thepresence of these and other contagions.
An added dilemma is that a symptomatic animal is not a surgicalcandidate for spay/neuter and remains in foster until well,sometimes several extra weeks. This can result in a kitten missingthe optimum adoption window of eight to 10 weeks of age.
Cats will not eat or drink if they are unable to smell, so a youngone which is sneezing and sporting a stuffy nose may soon languishand die. The death rate among kittens can be nearly 50 percent andis a slow, agonizing way to go.
One common “cold” we see is caused by the herpe svirus whichattacks the eyes along with the sinuses. Unless treated quickly andthoroughly, this virulent disease can claim the sight bymanifesting in severe corneal ulcers which subsequently rupture,taking the eye with it.
Once infected, the animal becomes a carrier for life and can infectother feline household members through shared grooming andfood/water dishes. The most contagious period is when sneezing andcoughing are present, and any cat showing these symptoms shouldimmediately be isolated.
Symptoms often lie dormant until stress stirs them into action andaccounts for a normally healthy indoor cat suddenly catching a”cold.” If this happens in your own home, think back to possibletriggers and offer some extra love and attention and L-lysine (anamino acid) in the food until the disease is once again incheck.
Although sometimes a tough disease to knock down, the herpesviruscan be effectively controlled by adding L-lysine daily to yourpet’s wet food during times of obvious symptoms. It may also workas an immune-booster so can be safely given to all feline membersin the home. L-lysine capsules can be easily found at health foodstores and at Wal Mart in tablet form. Wherever you buy it, readthe label. Do not purchase any product which contains any “glycol”ingredient, which is toxic to cats. Dosage is 250-500 mg per dayfor kittens, 500-1,000 mg for adults.
If the URI symptoms are severe enough to cause your cat to refusefood due to mucus buildup in the sinuses, a single drop of AfrinChildren’s Strength Nose Drops (.025 percent oxymetazolinehydrochloride) can be administered to one nostril per day. Use nolonger than five days in a row, switching nostrils for eachdrop.
Don’t panic at a first sneeze as it may just be dust, but do watchfor signs of eye-weeping and lethargy. Most importantly, if yourcat has a fever, becomes dehydrated and stops eating, a trip to theveterinarian is essential. There may be a secondary bacterialinfection present requiring prescribed antibiotics and IVfluids.
Wishing all my two- and four-legged friends a very healthy andHappy New Year.
Marci Kladnik is a board member of Catalyst for Cats, a SantaBarbara County nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare offeral cats. For more information, call 685-1563 or visitcatalystforcats.org
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