HENDERSON, Nev., Oct. 25, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As winter quickly approaches, A Cat Hospital, located in Henderson, Nevada, seeks to warn cat owners about the rising potential for upper respiratory infections in cats. The hospital reminds owners that upper respiratory infections in cats often begin mildly but can develop into full-blown congestion in a short time. Many people don’t realize most feline “colds” are caused by a herpes virus. This remains throughout the cat’s life, even after initial symptoms subside.
Dr. Trish Auge, veterinarian and owner of A Cat Hospital in Henderson, Nevada, is dedicated to providing personalized service, care and treatment for cats in the Las Vegas and Henderson areas. Dr. Auge looks to educate cat owners about the specific health risks that may have an effect on their cats. She is trying to spread the word about the rising risk of upper respiratory infections in cats in cooler weather.
Even in Nevada, the weather during long winter months is cooler and exposes cats to conditions that often escalate into an upper respiratory infection. “This environmental stress can cause the emergence of symptoms,” says Dr. Auge.
“Kitty colds” cause symptoms in cats that are similar to the common human cold, including sneezing, nasal congestion and conjunctivitis with discharge from the nose and eyes. In some instances, it can advance into bronchitis or pneumonia.
“Environmental stressors such as cooler temperatures, moving, boarding, family holidays, lots of loud noises and changes in the home can intensify the severity and cause underlying viruses to reactivate,” says Dr. Trish Auge. Some cats that have dormant herpes infections can reactivate throughout a cat’s lifetime; some cats have persistent signs of sneezing and runny eyes most of the year.
Cooler weather allows the initial virus to thrive and spread. That can be a problem for shelters trying to adopt out cats and kittens to new homes. Dr. Auge says, “The immune system is instrumental in fighting off this type of infection, but sometimes a little additional medicine is needed to provide a boost. Various medications can be helpful, plus keeping the home a little warmer.” A more congested cat or kitten may also need supplemental fluids or syringe feeding. A tincture of time and a little TLC will help many cats overcome the viral outbreaks.
Dr. Auge says that vaccination is a great way to protect cats from upper respiratory viruses. “However, it is important to keep in mind that these vaccinations require regular boosters to help maintain their effectiveness. Even with vaccinations, it is not possible to prevent all upper respiratory colds.”
A Cat Hospital serves the Las Vegas and Henderson area. It is a feline-only hospital specializing in cat vaccinations, wellness exams, dentistry, senior cat care, cat surgery and cat boarding. For more information on Las Vegas cat care, visit http://www.acathospital.com/ or call 702-454-4400.