#Will steam help a congested cat skin

According to, these two viruses are thought to be responsible for more than 90% of feline upper respiratory tract infections.īordetella bronchiseptica and Chlamydophila felis, both bacterial organisms, may also be involved in some cases.

Most feline upper respiratory tract infections are caused by Feline Herpes Virus and Feline Calicivirus. Keep the heating pad on a low setting and wrap the hot water bottle in a towel or blanket to prevent burns. You may also need to provide an additional heat source such as a heating pad or hot water bottle for your cat to lie on or snuggle up to. If the weather is cold, keep the indoor temperature where your cat spends most of its time at a comfortable temperature. Provide Warmth Image Credit: Anna Nikonorova, Shutterstock Pheromone diffusers and sprays, such as Feliway, have a soothing, calming effect on cats, and can be used to help reduce your cat’s stress levels while ill.ħ. Your cat’s litter box should be kept clean at all times and be positioned in a spot with easy access. Make sure that your cat has access to fresh water at all times and provide frequent meals. Provide a quiet space where your cat can recover undisturbed, as well as comfortable beds, hiding places, and scratching posts. A stressed cat also takes longer to heal from illness stress can affect a cat’s immune system and ability to fight disease. Latent Feline Herpes Virus infections, commonly responsible for feline colds, are often “reactivated” during times of stress. Short-term use isn’t harmful and may be worth a try. Trials with lysine have, however, given mixed results. Lysine is believed to work by interfering with viral replication, thereby reducing the severity of symptoms associated with a cold. The use of the amino acid supplement Lysine has questionable value in treating cats with upper respiratory infections caused by the Feline Herpes Virus. If your cat is dehydrated, it is best to seek veterinary care right away.

#Will steam help a congested cat skin

However, in a dehydrated cat, the skin will remain in a tented position and return into place slowly or not at all. When you release the skin, it should snap back into place quickly. Gently grab a section of your cat’s skin between its shoulder blades and lift it up. You can check your cat’s hydration levels using the “skin tent” test. Keep a close eye on the water levels in your cat’s bowl and ensure that your cat is drinking enough water. You may even need to syringe feed food if your cat refuses to eat. Warming the food may make it more palatable. Cats with mouth ulcers may prefer soft food. Offer your sick cat strong-smelling food such as kitten food or fish. Cats that stop drinking will dehydrate – dehydration can be life-threatening. A sick cat that does not get adequate nutrition will struggle to heal and is at risk of becoming even sicker. It is extremely important that your cat continues to eat and drink while sick. A poor sense of smell caused by a blocked nose, mouth ulcers, and a general feeling of sickness and discomfort, are responsible for a sick cat’s loss of appetite. Humidifiers release water vapor into the air, which helps keep the sinuses moist and eases the symptoms of a cold.Ĭats with colds often have a decrease in appetite or stop eating and drinking entirely. It is also helpful to run a humidifier in the room in which your cat spends most of its time. Sick cats often stop grooming themselves so it’s important that you groom your cat at least once a day using a brush or comb. Groom Your Cat Image Credit: BravissimoS, Shutterstock Help your cat to feel better by gently wiping away discharge from the eyes and nose using a cotton wool ball soaked in warm water.Ģ. Take care when using disinfectants around cats as some disinfectants are toxic-speak to your veterinarian about the right one to use. If possible, disinfect the surfaces that your sick cat has come in contact with using a veterinary disinfectant. Unfortunately, these vaccines do not protect against respiratory infections entirely, but they can reduce the severity of illness.

Vaccines for respiratory illnesses usually come standard as part of your cat’s annual vaccinations. Another way to protect the other cats in your household is to make sure that their vaccinations are up to date. Upper respiratory infections are highly contagious and easily transmitted between cats. This helps to minimize the spread of the infection between cats. If there is more than one cat in your household, the first thing to do is to isolate your sick cat by confining it to a separate room.