What should I do about this cold that is going through my cats?

They all need the VET, asap. This is most likely a respiratory infection and antibiotics are necessary to rid them of it.

BTW-In rescue shelters, they can be difficult to get rid of and that’s with Vets on staff 24hrs.

Lurve to your sick kittehs.

Did you cats get their vaccinations this year? Are they indoor or outdoor cats, or both?

I agree with Spatzie, get them to a vet and have them check out.

poor babies

@jmah those vaccinations are oh so important!

You should have isolated the first cat to get sick, but since it’s too late for that, go to the vet and get some anti-biotics. You might want to isolate that cats that are currently sick just so that the others don’t get it. Be very careful, it mught seem like a cold, but if kitty gets too congested too breathe, he/she could stop eating, and that would be really bad.

Aw, poor kitties. Definitely separate the sick and healthy…and be sure to still give them love. Also definitely go to the vet to make sure they’re okay. Good luck!

Upper respiratory infections in cats is quite common and highly infectious. Just as in humans with cold viruses, the virus that cats get is not responsive to antibiotics – antibiotics are to prevent a secondary opportunistic infection that can lead to a bacterial pneumonia.

The only treatment for cats suffering from the infection is supportive care. In severe cases, cats may stop eating and drinking (cats don’t tend to eat if they can’t smell, and a stopped up nose precludes being able to smell your food), in which case subcutaneous fluids or even hospitalization may be required, although that is rare. Sometimes cats (especially kittens) will develop corneal ulcerations from the excessive ocular exudate.

A severe, intractable infection may be a rhinotracheitis (feline herpes virus 1) infection, which can be a chronic illness that requires long term treatment to control.

Keeping your cats up to date on vaccines, avoiding exposure to stray or unvaccinated cats, and isolating sick animals when possible may help reduce the incidence.

I have two cats that have not gone through what you describe and I hope they never do. I know that doesn’t answer your question although it was answered right away-see a good vet. That is the real question to me where can you find a good vet. They all seem and are great in their own way, but when you find a great one, it’s like night and day..

@erichw1504 How are your kitties doing?

@SpatzieLover One of them that is currently sick looks to be almost over it, while the other is getting there. My other two kitties haven’t gotten sick yet, thankfully.

Oh good, I hope they get well quickly!!! Thanks for the update.