snotty Swampy: anyone got any ideas?

[Hippykitty]

Sounds like he's had cat 'flu.

[swampmaxmum]

many thanks, will look into the Eezebreathe thing as the essential oils site (thanks again for that link) is quite scary on the liver side of things. Swampy had snuffles as a kitten before I got him - I was a bit suspicious as he was soooo cute and he was 15 weeks old before I could get him. My then vet told me to take him straight back as he'd cost me money all his life, but of course by then I was totally in love.....and still am (vet was right about the money bit though).

[Hippykitty]

It doesn't say which essences are used in Eezebreathe,  would be nice to know.

Maybe an ioniser would help? They leave horrid black marks around themselves but draw dust and impurities from the air and make it more energising. They also help stuffy noses.

I bought my mountain breeze back in the 80's. Don't know if places like Holland and Barratt still sell them.

Thanks for the aromatherapy link, Em.

[Em]

Found a good site about aromatherapy and cats here:

http://www.thelavendercat.com/

Hope Swampy starts to feel better, my boys have permanent sniffles too (they had cat flu before I got them) and about the only thing I've found that helps is our eezebreathe http://www.eezebreathe.co.uk/Eezebreathe.html. It pulls a lot of the yuk out of the air and they both seem to breathe a lot easier when it's on, plus we run the Dyson round every couple of days now to clear up the pollen and general dust etc. It doesn't help (as I've mentioned elsewhere I think) that Seth has hayfever and likes to sniff flowers, though...   

If they have a bad day I also grab them and put them in the bathroom while I have a hot bath - Seth absolutely loves this but Sammy hates to be shut in one room for more than 30 secs so gets a bit fidgety. It helps though..

[swampmaxmum]

I've used various eucalyptus potions on myself and he blinks and shies away, so don't think he'd breathe it in anyhow.  Will keep trying with occasional inhalations then - he does hate it though. Vet in France said to put him in the cat carrier upside down (the carrier, not Swampy!) and cover him and a bowl with a towel, or bowls both ends so he can't avoid the steam. 15 mins. It seems so unkind though so haven't tried that. But the snot he swallows I think makes him regurg more than he would if he wasn't snotty.

[Hippykitty]

I haven't checked, but I've a feeling that eucalyptus oil is very toxic to cats, so use with caution. Lavender should be fine, but it doesn't clear the airways as well. Just putting water in an aromatherapy lamp (the bulb-shaped things you put a tea-light inside; they have a saucer-like bit at the top where you put the water and a drop of oil) will humidify the air and help puss. They don't create steam, just atmospheric dampness. Dry air from central heating would exacerbate Swampy's breathing problems.
Unfortunately, the best oils for clearing the nasal passage contain menthol, which I'm sure is toxic to cats.

[Gillian Harvey]

What are essential oils exactly?

I have euclyliptus oil around all the time and have for years.

Heres a definition -  'Aromatic volatile oils extracted from the leaves, stems, flowers, and other parts of plants. Therapeutic use generally includes dilution of the highly concentrated oil.'

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

What are essential oils exactly?

I have euclyliptus oil around all the time and have for years.

[Gillian Harvey]

Gillian, are you sure ALL essential oils are dangerous? I used to burn lots of lavender and ylang ylang, but in very weak amounts (just a couple of drops in water in an aromatherapy oil burner). The cats seemed to like the smell.

Even holistic vets who advocate the use aromatherapy for animals,  warn that essential oils shouldnt be burned around cats for longer than 15-20 mins a day -  and shouldnt be used long term.

[Hippykitty]

Gillian, are you sure ALL essential oils are dangerous? I used to burn lots of lavender and ylang ylang, but in very weak amounts (just a couple of drops in water in an aromatherapy oil burner). The cats seemed to like the smell.

[swampmaxmum]

I'm not sure. Can't say it's dramatic if it does help. He's worse some days than others and I don't give him Lysine every day cos he has to have Destolit and Zentonil and it's just another tab to be taken away from food. However I give it if he's very coldy and particularly if his eye is bad. But then I give him fucithalmic too and it clears a bit, so who knows.
Don't think it can do any harm although the vet told me to use Lamberts as they may be purer. He gets 1/3 tab or thereabouts.

[Gillian Harvey]

Ok will stick to the eye ointment, Lysine tabs and occasional steam then.  I just feel so helpless when he has a coughing fit. Vet says he may improve in the summer - we'll see.
In the meantime I am Zoom Grooming him (oooh what a nice brush) and Max to get as much moulting flying fur out of his way too.

Do you think the lysine helps at all? I've tried it with Suzie and Gypsy who both have the herpesvirus, with lots of snuffling and snotty noses, but I didnt see much, if any, difference. I really feel for them when they are like that, although they still manage to have good appetites.

[swampmaxmum]

Ok will stick to the eye ointment, Lysine tabs and occasional steam then.  I just feel so helpless when he has a coughing fit. Vet says he may improve in the summer - we'll see.
In the meantime I am Zoom Grooming him (oooh what a nice brush) and Max to get as much moulting flying fur out of his way too.

[Gillian Harvey]

Essential oils are highly toxic to cats, you should only use hydrosols around cats, and even then, with care.

[swampmaxmum]

No I haven't tried any oils. He tends to shy away from inhalation of steam even so it's a bit tricky to give him inhalations. Take him into the windowless bathroom sometimes when showering so that he can get some steam in his nozzer, but it doesn't last long. Long coughing fits unsurprisingly tend to follow his getting up from a good sleep.
Some days seem worse than others as well.  It's definitely generally getting worse though without the eye drops (which boosted his immunity but would hurt his liver).
Wish I could get some salt water up his nose, but that's not going to happen, poor wee chook.

[Hippykitty]

Have you tried burning essential oils in an aromatherapy oil burner? For a human, eucalyptus would be recommended, but I don't think this is good for cats. Maybe peppermint? You'd have to check the cat-safety thing of these oils (sorry, my brain needs food!). If you have central heating, just putting water in the burner would help to humidify the air.

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

How's Swampy doing?  Any improvement.

[swampmaxmum]

Hi, thanks everyone. Swampy's now been sick (after eating) 3 times in 5 days, having not been sick for about a month. Coldy, but always is. The Interferon's apparently quite dangerous for his liver so it's a no go.  He's perky but it's a battle to get enough grub down him when he heave hos - usually hungry before he gets sick though but no way can he eat l/d too fast!
NO idea why it's suddenly such a problem, perhaps some inflammation. He had an antibiotic injection a week ago which maybe didn't help??

He had snuffles twice as a kitten and has had a permanent runny eye and snotty nose ever since, but it's only in the last 6 months that he's been so coughy poor little guy.
I'm now taking his water away for 1/2 hour after he eats as that def helps him to regurg (if he goes off and drinks on top of a meal).

I'll ask the vet later about Bisolvon to see if it's liver friendly. thanks!

And yes, he now eats on top of the yellow pages!

[Amanda (mad4moggies)]

Poor Swampy. Do you know what is causing the snotty nose? Has the vet done a swab at all?

[Millys Mum]

Poor fella, theres a cat like this at work.

You can try Bisolvon, thats quite good.
We also had a cat who had vicks etc rubbed onto a dome thingy that hung from his collar so had a constant aroma  

Have you tried feeding with the bowl raised up on something like a brick?

In regards to the Interferon would your vet carry on with it, knowing its going to be bad for his liver but better than him being uncomfy all the time? I would rather my cat be happy for 6 months then be uncomfortable for 12  

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

So sorry to hear Swamp is poorly can't really offer any advice I'm afraid.  I did a search on the internet and found this website but it doesn't really offer any more advice than your vet has already suggested:  http://www.mypetspages.com/petinfo/feline/chronic%20nasal%20discharge.php

Sorry can't be more help ... hopefully others may have some suggestions.

Bit hugs to you and Swamp 

[swampmaxmum]

The Swamp is vomiting up food (regurg) quite a bit lately which I think is down to his snorty, snotty nose and muck going down his throat. He had an antibiotic injection but that didn't help as it's viral. He can no longer take the Interferon which kept this viral snuffles at bay for years, because of his liver. The vet doesn't seem to realise that it is getting worse, but it is. He quite often brings up phlegm too (which I suppose is good). Vet has only the idea to take him into the shower while I'm in it (er, the room not the actual water bit!) but I have a little shower room with an extractor so would have to be in the dark  - no window either. Could try that though.
I've tried inhalation with him in his cat carrier but he hates that as it stings his eyes.
has anyone got any ideas please?  He's so brave and eats despite sometimes making noises like a thirsty dog slurping down water each time he swallows.