Can a cat catch a cold? Anyone know?

[ironflange]

One of my cats is spending all her time wandering around the house, snuffling and sneezing, and generally seeming out of sorts. Could it be a cold? It was kind of funny initially, but now it's annoying and worrisome. I guess we should go to the vet, she's due for shots anyway.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. Of course they can.

Any mammal can, if the conditions are right.

[murielm99]

12. My kitty had pneumenitis (sp?) once...

He had a bad cold, that became pneumonia...

The vet gave me some pills for him, and gave him a shot. Respiratory infections in cats can be serious. Take him to the vet.

[Catshrink]

2. Definitely take her to the vet.

Cats do get colds. One of mine gets them once in a while. She always has had some kind of respiratory trouble. She has allergies too.

Make sure she's eating. A trick my vet taught me was to warm her wet food slightly. Cats won't eat if they can't smell their food -- heating it up increases the smell. (gag). I don't normally feed mine wet food, but do when she's sick.

Good luck!

[ironflange]

4. She's eating just fine, thanks

Dry stuff, plus the usual bit of tuna at bedtime.

OK, it's off to the vet tomorrow. Unbearable yowling in the car, coming up.

[onebigbadwulf]

3. Yes

any living thing can get infected with something

[PinkTiger]

5. Rhinoviruses in cats

can be serious. If it lasts for more than a day or two, seek veterinary help; never try to medicate them with human remedies, either. Tylenol, for example, will kill them.

I'm not a doctor; but I've had cats and dogs, and have been taught by my vet how to medicate them when necessary. For a high fever, a cat can take aspirin, but in very small doses, depending on weight.

Ask the vet first.

[Meshuga]

6. BTW, my cat loved your little image

I can't come to the computer without my cat jumping on the keyboard tray wanting attention. He saw the picture and was hitting it with his paw.

He was going after Bush's head. I trained him well! :-)

[CoNnOc]

7. My aunt has a cat

that eats anything wool. She's thinking about putting the cat on prozac(I think thats the name) because the doc says the cat suffers from a nervousness disorder.

[kath]

8. Here's some helpful advice to follow

if your vet should prescribe medication for your kitty :-)

http://www.siamesekitties.com/humor.html#1

[nuxvomica]

9. If your cat may be ill, put off the vaccines

Ill and elderly cats are in greater danger of complications from vaccines. If she's a housecat, there may be no need for them anyway.

[ironflange]

10. OK, I'll ask the vet and bask in his wisdom

[Skittles]

11. my cat's sneezes sound so human-like

very eerie

[SheilaT]

13. Upper respiratory infections

are very common also in shelter cats. One cat comes in with it, and it spreads like wildfire. Even the best shelters are often underfunded and understaffed. When I brought my cat home from a shelter she had such an infection and it took medication and some vet visits to cure her.

Take good care of your kitty.

[ironflange]

14. She is a shelter cat

but that was three years ago. We do take good care of out girls, they don't roam free. We did, however, build out back yard to be cat-proof, and they LOVE it out there. I also tend to get lazy with their boxes, so sometimes I get a gentle reminder. Other than that, they're healthy and happy.