BROTH AND BLANKET - FIND OUT HOW TO TREAT CAT SCRATCH

The period from spring to autumn is the time when kittens are born. The number of stray cats, despite the widespread sterilisation campaign, remains high and many people decide to adopt a kitten from a shelter or take in a kitten found on a housing estate, in a dumpster or somewhere in the countryside.

Because of their origin and insufficient care after birth, such kittens often struggle with various diseases. If we observe bloodshot eyes, snorting and sneezing, and discharge from the nose, the first and usually correct association is catarrh.

Feline catarrh is a viral syndrome of the upper respiratory tract. The viruses and bacteria responsible for this condition cause infection of the nose, larynx and trachea and the eyes. General weakness of the animal is also a symptom of the disease. Weak organism is not able to effectively defend against the disease, so untreated cat's rhinitis can lead to complications, led by serious eye diseases resulting even in blindness. That's why cats affected by this disease should be given attention and care and long-term treatment.

FELINE COLD- SYMPTOMS

Calcivirus, herpesvirus and the bacteria that cause cat scratch virus cause different symptoms. Their severity and the general course of the disease depend on the cat's condition and its age. The most susceptible are kittens, which do not yet have a fully developed immune system, but the disease can also appear in older cats, especially outgoing and unvaccinated.

Our concern should be the appearance of symptoms such as:

• general weakness of the cat, apathy, sleepiness

• permanently visible third eyelid

• purulent discharge from the eyes and swelling around them

• sneezing, snorting and nasal discharge

• temperature fluctuations above 39.5 degrees or below 38 degrees

Each of the above symptoms already occurring singly gives us a signal that perhaps the intervention of a vet will be needed. The bigger the intensity and the number of symptoms, the more we can be sure that it's the cat's catarrh we're dealing with.

CAT'S COLD - TREATMENT AT HOME

The basic issue in treating the cat's catarrh is providing the animal with warmth and properly balanced food. The best results will come from treating your cat at home, because there it is easier to control the amount of food and medication given to your cat.

In combating the causes and symptoms of cat's cat's nose, the most common treatments are:

• eye drops with antibiotic - their task is to eliminate bacterial foci located in the eyes and causing the appearance of purulent discharge and swelling. Eye drops are applied several times a day at equal intervals. It is usually when the eye condition improves that the cat's convalescence can be seen to start progressing.

• antibiotics in the form of tablets or injections - prevent the development of bacterial infections, protecting the cat's respiratory system

• vitamins, immunity stimulators and anti-inflammatory agents - their task is to strengthen the animal's organism and support the immune system

As in any other disease, also in this case it is important to systematically administer medications. Even if the symptoms disappear, antibiotic therapy shouldn't be finished prematurely without consulting the vet. The complete disappearance of symptoms can be expected within a few weeks at the latest.

HOW LONG DOES CAT'S RHINITIS LAST?

Some cats become carriers of germs causing cat's catarrh for the whole life, therefore the risk of recurrence of the disease should be taken into account. This is why cat guardians should consider vaccinating their cats every year, which can either protect them completely or make the course of the disease much milder.