Gabriella Landetta
Cats can also get the flu during this winter season. According to the MascotAmigas portal, “Just like in humans, cat flu is a viral illness that causes watery eyes, runny nose, sudden sneezing, respiratory problems, fever and coughing that results in a sound similar to snoring.”
However, animal technical veterinarian Miguel Ángel Sosa Cruz warns that this is an upper respiratory tract infection in animals caused by: feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus.
He noted that while the symptoms are similar to those of the flu, this is only a minor concern as the main causes of feline discomfort are caused by the two viruses mentioned above, adding that such illnesses occur in approximately ten out of every 100 cats. .
“Unfortunately, there is no cure, no drug that can eliminate the virus, and the way to deal with a problem like this is to address the second condition, usually a bacterial problem, and give an immune stimulant,” he said.
He added that most of the time “we only see symptoms: sneezing, runny nose; generally we see a picture of respiratory problems, usually bacterial problems are under attack but viral problems are not. Per Each patient’s immune system is responsible for doing this.”
Sosa Cruz, the director of a veterinary hospital, said that on average, about 400 patients are admitted every year, 40% of whom are diagnosed with respiratory diseases and receive treatment, and only 10% are confirmed to be viral in origin.
For experts, the best way to prevent cats from contracting the disease is to vaccinate them; however, he admits that there is still no awareness in society to do so: “We are just starting to cultivate the culture of dogs, vaccinate them, deworm them and keep them Their health, but that culture often doesn’t exist in cats.”
To this end, he believes: “We have to start vaccinating and changing people’s perceptions of cats. We believe that nothing will happen to them because they are very independent animals and sometimes we ignore them, but the ideal situation is to give them vaccination.”
(Photo: Gabriella Landetta)