All my cats . . .

[HelpinUtah]

I've been away for awhile because I caught the dreaded H1N1 virus and even before that was feeling sick a lot.  Now I have pneumonia and just started and antibiotic yesterday. . .but all my cats have also gotten sick.  First Katie had runny eyes and was lethargic and seemed to be feeling yucky.  Then Roxy seemed to have the same problem, then Charlies, then Rusty and now Abby.  They all had the watery eyes and the same eye seemed to be bothering them.  I called my vet because I had heard of the H1N1 virus being transmitted to cats.  He said he had seen a cat he suspected had it and it was possible.  He told me to watch them and make sure they don't start having respiratory difficulty such as breathing problems, but that most likely it was a cold and they would get better.  Well, Abby is still sick.  I'm concerned about them having the H1N1 because they are indoor cats and where in the heck would they have gotten such a cold!?

Any ideas or suggestions?

[HelpinUtah]

Since Abby was not getting better, hubby took her to the vet yesterday for me.  The vet checked her out and she had a fever and has an upper respiratory infection.  She agrees that the cats most likely caught the H1N1 virus from me, but there's no need to test her since it won't change the way she is treating her.  Hubby told the vet that Roxy is still not 100% and sneezing a lot as well and so she gave us enough antibiotics for Abby and Roxy.  Roxy is hard to take out of the house or even to pick her up (I'm the only one she lets pick her up and I was at work) and so you have to sedate her to take her to the vet.  We try not to stress her out and so we only take her once a year for her checkup and shots.  Luckily the vet was willing to treat her based on hubby's description of her symptoms.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.  :)

[FurballsMom]

That's good to know.  And, actually, it's not surprising that cats can get this virus, too, because I know they can catch the Rhinovirus.

[AppleBr]

Sending a Get Well Soon for you all, cats and mother !!!!

[Jade59]

Thanks Opus...yup, this is where I read about not snuggling with our cats.  Right here in an article written by our wonderful Thomas Dock!  I believe I also read something in our local paper to the same effect...

[opus88]

Oh I certainly hope you are better soon with this antibiotic!!
I had the shot 2 days ago and have been almost bedridden with muscle pain(have chronic muscle pain to start with)...this shot seems to just intensified all the sore areas....so I know how miserable you must be feeling.

I think your vet should really check out the cats don't you?...colds in cats???
most likely more of a bacterial infection going on and passing from one to the other.
I too read an article somewhere abt H1N1 passing onto the pets...but so far very uncommon...This morning just read another post.
look at the right hand side under EXPERT ACTIVITY...a new post by Dr. Jim Humphries...titled 'helping stray cats...."
if you read down all the reply's you will  come to a post on H1N1 in pets...from this Dr.

good luck to all of you

[Jade59]

Oh gosh, that is a puzzle.  Is it possible they caught it from you?  I've read about this flu and how if you suspect you have it, not to snuggle with your kitties.  Forget where I read that though.  Lol...could have been here on MH for all I know...I have a terrible memory.  Maybe someone else will come along who knows better than I.  

Glad you're on the mend, Janet.  Wow, pneumonia.  This is one nasty flu.  You take care and I hope you and all your kitties feel better soon!!