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I AM NOT A VET. I did successfully help my very old cat who was very poorly with flu. He needed the antibiotics to stop developing pneumonia. Because his smell was affected he wouldn´t eat and we had to syringe baby food into him and water to stop him dehydrating- many times a day. Also, like Cat says bathe his eyes and nose - we also gave him a wash with a warm flannel as he wouldn´t clean himself. We had to do this for approx a week until he had got some strength up and over the worst of it and would start eating again. He lived happily for another five years more - but needed the intensive care. Best wishes.

Hi Hilary,

Cat flu is usually caused by either a viral infection (Feline Calicivirus or Feline Herpes) or a bacterial infection (Chlamydia). In considering the best treatment for recurrent cat flu it is helpful to find out what is exactly causing the problem. This can be done by taking swabs from your cats eyes and throat, the results tend to be more accurate when the symptoms are flaring. Not only can the results help determine the best treatment, they will also give you some idea of the course of the disease, such as whether the cat will ever clear the infection and how likely they are to pass it on. Also, if it hasn´t been done already, you should have the cat tested for Feline Aids and Feline Leukaemia, both of which weaken the cat´s immune system and make them vulnerable to repeated bouts of cat flu.

Even though the underlying cause of cat flu is likely viral most cats, when they are poorly with it, respond well to antibiotics because the discharges from their eyes and nose become infected with bacteria. This treatment doesn´t affect the virus but makes the cat feel much better and so their body is better able to deal with it. So, one of the keys to helping cats with flu is to keep their eyes and noses clear of discharge. Bathe her eyes regularly (just ordinary tap water and cotton wool is fine) to keep them clean. If you are having a hot bath or shower, take her into the bathroom with you. The warm steam is very helpful in moving any mucous out of her nose (just like it is for us when we have flu!). There are also powered medications your vet can give you which will make any discharges runnier and therefore easier for her to clear. Another good tip for a bunged up with cat flu is to offer warmed and smelly food. Cats are motivated to eat by the way their food smells and it is important for any poorly cat to eat to keep their strength up.

There are specific anti-viral treatments for cat flu infections but they tend to be expensive and not always very effective. There are anti-viral eye drops that can be given to cats with herpes but they need to be given quite frequently, several times a day and can cause irritation themselves in some cats. You can also use L-Lysine, a supplement, which some people feel slows the rate of the viruses progression but there is not much hard evidence that it works. Chlamydia infections can be treated with specific anti-biotic medications.

It is also worth remembering that Cat Flu flare ups can be triggered by stress, so try to keep any stressors in your cat´s environment to a minimum.

I hope this helps. The best people to talk to about alternative ways of tackling your cat´s problems are your vets, so do speak to them as well.

Cat