AnimalCare

It’s cat flu season.

Our cats have escaped many seasons…for years, but this year, we are not exempted.

It started with Ginger and shortly after, Indy started sneezing too.

So, we took Indy to the vet’s today, even though his appetite is intact and he did not even seem sick except for the occasional sneezing.

It’s the same as what Ginger has. The vet says it’s cat flu season and this year, the bug is particularly virulent.

Indy has an increased amount of neutrophils (first line of defence against an infection) and eosinophils (probably from an allergic reaction), from an ear-prick blood test under the microscope.

His lungs are clear (as were Ginger’s). But Indy’s lymph nodes were all enlarged, which is a normal reaction of the body when there is any infection.

Indy was dewormed too.

Ginger is getting a lot better now, but still has the occasional cough in the morning.

Indy was given the same medicines as Ginger’s – Doxycyline (an antibiotic), Bromhexine (a mucolytic) and Cetirizine (an anti-histamine).

Heidi also started sneezing, so the vet prescribed Doxy and Cetirizine for her.

The vet suggested that all our cats go on Vetri DMG and Lysine (already on it!).

By the way, Cleo has refused to eat the fish-shaped Lysine now (she says it’s poison), but Ginger started eating it, so that’s good. Of all cats, Bunny is also refusing to eat the Lysine.

Pole and Indy LOVE the Lysine, but Indy later vomits it out….sigh. Maybe the size is too big, so I’m going to break it up for him.

Indy will be quarantined at the patio with Ginger since both have the flu. Let’s hope they don’t fight. The last time, Indy lost to Ginger and had to go to the vet’s to address a wound.

Indy is eating well. No loss of appetite there.

Heidi seems okay, but I did not want to take any chances since she started sneezing already.

It’s a very hot day today, but I guess cats love it hot.

Ginger is still grounding/earthing himself. Cats know what to do…naturally.

Last night, Ginger seemed to have bounced right back and started eating his usual food and behaving in his normal “Gingerly” ways.

We felt sorry for him, so we let him stay inside the house (normally, his place is the patio at night – because he has a tendency to spray on all the cushions when no one is looking). But that did not work out because he came upstairs, jumped onto our bed, and started whining all night.

So, he went back out to the patio (I think he is more accustomed to this arrangement).

This morning, Ginger came in eagerly for breakfast and ate, perhaps, 1.5 times his “normal”.

So, that’s a good sign.

Everyone was given Vetri Lysine Plus this morning and everyone loved it (yes, even Cleo and Pole did not think it was poison!)….except Ginger!

Rhinitis (running nose, flu, etc. due to allergy or viral infection) might spread, so it’s best to fortify everyone with some immune booster.  The vet did ask if Ginger could be allergic to anything (any new aerosol sprays – no, did he dig soil to play with – no) – well, not that I can think of.  Perhaps it is an infection, but I’m glad he seems much better today.