(12-31-2009 02:52 AM)Ziggy Wrote: [ -> ]Does he seem stuffed up at all? Like he has the sniffles? Or is it a 'clean' sounding sneeze? Does he breathing sound raspy at all? If he does sound a bit stuffed up then you can take him into the washroom with you when you have a bath or shower, as the steamed-up air helps to clear them up.
Other sources of URIs include below-freezing cold weather (if a cat goes outdoors, or if they sit in front of an open window) and any other of the problems that typically trigger asthma.
The biggest factor that seems to help fix up a sneezy cat - if it really is an Upper Respiratory Infection - is relatively good food. It doesn't have to be fantastically good, but I feed my cat an all-natural food (I like it because it is good for cats and kittens, which is good when I foster kittens) that costs less than Iams, and it clears up sneezy cats. I have had cats that won't stop sneezing for weeks and I feed them Iams when they arrive because that is what is given to me by the Humane Society. If their cold won't go away then I feed them my healthier kibble and they are usually all better within a week.
ETA: Some cats have allergies, but most of them get bumps or skin reactions, rather than sneezing. Check to see if he has any weird bumps on his skin. Those tend to be food reactions, or an allergy to plastic, so you would find those bumps near their face most often. Also, I once had a cat who was allergic to seafood and I found that out because he had the most violent reaction to fish-based catfood (the same brand as before, so it was just the seafood that caused problems) : he projectile vomited his wet food as soon as he swallowed it. This wasn't exactly pleasant, but at least it was an easy problem to solve.
If it's allergies... then I have no idea. If he doesn't get worse (and he isn't an outdoor cat, so that's good) then don't worry about it. Who knows, maybe he's a smart cat who enjoys the attention he gets!
The sneeze is like a Rapid fire sneeze. Like he sneezes 4-6 times in a row. Other times, it is just one sneeze. But now that you mention it. It does sound like he is stuffed up. So, I am going to follow your advice and have Bob take him in the bathroom while he gets his shower. And I will keep you posted on the results.
This will be a treat for him, as normally he is not allowed in the bathroom, lol
And yes your right he is not an outdoor cat. But Ohio winters are rough around here. And we had to keep the house at 65ยบ to save on heating costs. I know that may be too cold for him, but he has 2 heating pads to choose from to snuggle up on to stay toasty warm, lol
AND NO he has no bumps or lumps on him TG
If the shower thing does not work. We might consider changing his food,
IF & when Hubby goes back to work
Those all natural cat foods are very pricey indeed.
Plus I am not one to waste any kind of food, lol. So he will eat up what he has, then I
Will check out Iams at Petsmart
For the URI:
Most cats get better pretty quickly (within a couple weeks) but some cats take longer. No matter what, he should slowly get better provided that he isn't around things that make it worse. Just to be careful, be sure to wash your hands when you get home if you are petting or touching any other cats.
For the food:
I buy the regular Nutro pet food, or their all-natural version, or Dick van Patten's natural pet food (I usually get the last one, because they have a cat/kitten version that I really like when I foster because I can use the same food for everyone). Here's the website:
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/
Many pet foods are cheaper than Iams (I usually buy the cheapest option at the time, provided that they are natural) and much better for your cat. I was surprised, because I would have thought that Iams would be cheaper, but no... there are many that are healthier and cheaper than the big brands (Iams and Science Diet).
There are some really expensive all-natural pet foods, I'll agree, but there are also some that are more moderately priced. Don't worry, I also know that they are more expensive than what you can afford right now, but I'm just mentioning them because I was surprised at the different costs. Some relatively good foods are not extremely expensive (Hillary has the softest fur ever when he eats the DvP Natural food).
THANKS for all the GREAT Info Ziggy, I will keep it all under advicement.
But for now, I think that shower trick worked, lol
Hubby took a real long shower late last night. And now Boots seems to be sleeping comfortably and no more sneezes, at least for now, lol
So many thanks and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I bumbed this thread as I had to take Boots back to the Vet again today. Once again, his symptoms returned. The same ones I disscussed thoughout this thread.
DR K said that she wanted to try to give him a cortozone shot this time. She warned me it will only last a month.
She did say some cats have seasonal allergies. But his skin is good and his coat is great. And he has no problems with his lungs or heart. So, she cleaned out his ears, and gave him his shot.
And Now he is sleeping right behind me, lol.
I am hoping this time will be the last time he needs to see the Vet for a long while, lol.
But if the shot only lasts a month, I know that wish is fruitless, lol.
How I got blessed with a cat that has allergies, I will never know, lol.
Yeah. If he has allergies, you're going to have to get him ongoing care. I don't know if allergies in cats can go away or if he will improve in more stable years (stable in terms of climate stability.)
My BF and I have never had allergies, but we are both having problems this year. It's a weird year.
Good luck with him!
Jen M.
Thanks Bittercat. He was doing much better after he got his shot. But then when we brought Peanut home, his sneezing started to increase.
I wonder can Cats be allergic to dogs? LOL
I know Boots would be estatic if we got rid of Peanut.
But since Peanut is sleeping on my good arm as I type using my tummy and part of the desk to support him.
(I wish I could take a pix of this, lol.)
I would not think of getting rid of him right now.
Ask me later after he's peed on my carpet for the 7th time, lol
As for Sir Boots, he might just be a puffer as the vet called it
Some cats always sneeze alot. She checked his nose and ears and he was clean as a whistle there.
So, he might be a natural puffer, lol.
Wow! I didn't know you'd gotten a dog! Cool!
Glad to hear Sir Boots is healthy.
Jen M.
He's likely started to sneeze more often as he has a new stressor in his life (the puppy) and it will cause his body to not be as efficient (as everyone tends to not be as healthy when they are stressed). Wait a couple weeks until things have settled down and he'll be just fine again. It isn't so much the puppy that is the problem as the stress of something new.
Well since Peanut is now at the rainbow bridge (sigh) Sir Boots's sneezing has stopped. So yes Ziggy, I guess your right about the stress factor & sneezing.
I guess I will have that to look fwd to once again. IF, we decide to try again for a new dog.
I say IF, cause I am still kind of gun shy on the matter.
But at least for now, Boots is healthy & happy
