JoaneWing
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URI---new treatmentUpper Respiratory Infections (URIs) in felines can be bacterial or viral in origin, and are fairly common among cats in animal shelters, humane societies, and other places habitated by a large number of cats, such as feral colonies. URIs are airborne in transmission, and highly contagious, so it is always wise to isolate a cat under treatment, and to feed and water your sick kitty separately. Even with careful isolation, because the germs have probably spread before the symptoms presented, it is common for all cats in a household to contract the infection, and to ping-pong it from cat to cat. Symptoms of an upper respiratory infection include sneezing, sometimes coughing, runny nose and watery eyes. Although the most common cause of URIs is the feline herpes virus 1 (rhinotracheitis), other causes can include chlamydia and calicivirus.
My friend brought 2 kittens home from a shelter this past Fall and they have been very sick continuously. After many trips to the Vet and trying many different antibiotics, my friend started to research her kittens' "kitty flu" symptoms herself. She read where the Z-pak (Zithromax) given to humans can also be given to cats for cold/flu symptoms. The dose is 1/3 of a tablet given once a week for 3 weeks. She spoke with her Vet and he had never heard of this but said it would not hurt. Well it worked!!! Her kitties are improving and the Vet has ordered Z-pak to use in his practice.
So please keep 2 things in mind---research all you can if you are not getting the answer you need and remember this treatment if your cat has these symptoms.
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Celeste
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Thank you for this valuable information Joane. Can this medication be purchased over-the-counter? Forgive me here since I have heard it mentioned before but am not familiar with it.
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JoaneWing
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No, it is a RX. It is in the erythromycin family.
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Sheryl
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Thank you for that information Joane.
It certainly does pay to research
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posiepurrs
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When Snickers was sick last year and we thought it was a URI we tried everything the vet suggested. Several breeders I talked to suggested zith - my vet had never used it. We tried that to at my insistence. Of course it didn't help Snickers since we later found out it was cancer rather than a URI. I would not hesitate to use it though if needed. Research is very important on you part, and a vet who is willing to listen is just as important!
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JoaneWing
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Thank you for bringing this up Lynda. It reminded me of when my former Vet had never heard of sporanox for ringworm. It was suggested to me by a breeder. It worked!
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chatcat723
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That's the only thing I can take! I'm allergic to the rest of that class of antibiotics. LOL Didn't think about the boys being able to take it too.
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princessprecious
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Great information Joanie....thank you for taking the time to type all this out and share with all of us!! Very useful info!! Lanie
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