Friday 4 June 2021
The Weekend Sun
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Coughing cats
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Have you ever noticed your cat coughing? A coughing cat is a common reason owners come in and see us. Owners often describe the cough as anything from occasional to several violent coughs in a row. Most of these cases present as sudden in onset, with no warning of ill health. On admitting the cats, we perform clinical examinations and often find that they actually are quite alert, responsive and their main vitals are within normal range. Pressure on the windpipe may result in a little exaggerated swallowing. This finding gives us a clue to the problem. Our next step is to sedate the cat, opening the mouth, drawing the tongue gently forward as well as lifting the soft palate up. Here we may find trapped grass next to the voice box which can
trigger a cough/gag response. The grass may be bunched into a ball or it can be extended straight, and as such can be right up above the soft palate and into the back of the nose. Occasionally the cough is joined by a sneeze and the blade may even protrude through a nostril! We can’t be certain why cats eat grass, but it is a widespread habit. Some suggest that it is to boost nutrient levels, act as a laxative, or that cats simply like the taste and texture. The main concern is any contaminants, such as sprays, that are on the grass that may harm the cats, so be mindful of this. Of course, there are other reasons for coughing in cats, so any time your cat displays a cough you should contact your vet.
Cat flu
Although our feline friends can suffer from cat flu at any time of the year, it is often more prevalent in colder weather. Cat flu is a general term that applies to cats suffering from runny eyes, sneezing, a runny nose and respiratory difficulties. It can be caused by a number of viruses and bacteria that are different to those that cause flu in humans. Vaccination can be helpful to prevent the disease and limit its severity, and is an important tool for cats kept in close confines such as catteries, as it can be quite contagious. Advanced cases may need to be hospitalised and treated with
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anti-biotics and other supportive care. Cat flu can remain latent in a cat’s body and symptoms are known to flare up in times of stress throughout their lifetime. From a holistic perspective, the presence of an infection reflects the fact that the immune system may not be functioning optimally. We often find that feeding these cats a wholesome, balanced and meat-based diet that is free of chemicals and preservatives and high in optimal amounts of nutrients such as antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids, can make a huge difference to the body’s ability to naturally combat infection, as can reducing stress.