←
→
eftychia: Me in kilt and poofy shirt, facing away, playing acoustic guitar behind head (Default)
Add MemoryShare This Entry

Feline Health Question

posted by [personal profile] eftychia at 12:12pm on 2006-02-23 under ,

Uh ... how long should I wait for sneezing to just go away, before I get worried enough to call a veterenarian?

Last night, Perrine had a sneezing fit a few (2-4) minutes long. Since then she's had occasional single sneezes (big wet ones that spray kitty-snot on me) and occasional less-than-a-minute sneezing fits. Her eyes are clear, her behaviour seems normal (to the extent that the word 'normal' can be applied to feline behaviour), and I've not noticed any other symptoms besides the sneezing.

I did notice that my mouth kept getting dry, so I'm wondering whether Perrine's sneezing could have an environmental cause. I've started humidifying the house a bit, figuring that even if it doesn't help her, I'll still be more comfortable. The only other environmental change that comes to mind is my having finally gotten around to doing laundry -- I wonder whether she could be allergic to this brand of laundry detergent.

But if it's just a cold, is the treatment the same in felines as in humans? (I.e., basically suffer until it goes away on its own?)

I'll admit that her attempt to wash herself while sneezing was nearly as amusing as it was disturbing (lick-sneeze lick-sneeze ...), but I hate seeing her in discomfort and am not sure how much to worry.

←
→
There are 6 comments on this entry. (Reply.)
 

(no subject)

posted by [identity profile] the-nita.livejournal.com at 05:14pm on 2006-02-23
Yup - sounds like a cold - and yah treatment is much the same.

If it continues past about a week to 10 days, then talk to your vet...
[link] [reply]
 

(no subject)

posted by [identity profile] donnad.livejournal.com at 05:19pm on 2006-02-23
Keep an eye on her, a few sneezes could be she just got into something dusty.
Cats get colds just like humans and they often go away on their own.

But if her eyes get goopy, or her nose gets runny or even clogged she will need a trip to the vet and likely anti-biotics for an upper respitatory infection.
If she goes off her food or water and starts acting lethargic or if she starts breathing through her mouth, she needs to go to the vet ASAP. Cats dehydrate very quickly and dehydration leads to kidney problems.
Cats get URI's occasionally and they can be dangerous if not treated.

For now, keep an eye on her. It may just pass on it's own.



[link] [reply]
 

I second this one.

posted by [identity profile] anniemal.livejournal.com at 06:22pm on 2006-02-23
Sounds about right. I don't think she was hiding because she felt bad, but might have got into something irritating wherever she was hiding. (Basement, maybe?)
[link] [parent] [reply]
 

(no subject)

posted by [identity profile] misia.livejournal.com at 05:36pm on 2006-02-23
If you're not seeing signs of bacterial or fungal infection (eyes clear, nasal discharge is clear, etc.) just wait it out, they'll only charge you $60 and send you home. As long as she's eating and drinking normally and seems otherwise hale, I wouldn't worry too much.
[link] [reply]
 

(no subject)

posted by [identity profile] scruffycritter.livejournal.com at 05:44pm on 2006-02-23
Rule of thumb:

Cats shouldn't sneeze.
Dogs shouldn't cough.

Give it a few days and see if it keeps happening. Irritants can cause this too. If it continues or worsens, see the vet.
[link] [reply]
 

(no subject)

posted by [identity profile] darwiniacat.livejournal.com at 07:02pm on 2006-02-25
Possible environmental cause: smoke and soot from the fire.

I concur with the others. A day or so of some sneezing is fine. More than a few days or any other sympoms should be looked at by your vet.
[link] [reply]

Links

January

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
1
1
 2
1
 3
1
 4
1
 5
1
 6
1
 7
1
8
1
 9
1
 10
1
 11
1
 12
1
 13
1
 14
1
15
1
 16
1
 17
1
 18
1
 19
1
 20
1
 21
1
22
1
 23
1
 24
 
 25
 
 26
 
 27
 
 28
 
29
 
 30
 
 31