Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: jezebel on July 02, 2016, 15:30:10 PM

Title: Can stress give a cat flu symptoms?
Post by: jezebel on July 02, 2016, 15:30:10 PM
A friend of mine is interested in adopting two one-year old rescue cats (currently with a foster carer). He saw them for the first time today, and the female cat is fine but her brother is apparently a bit "fluey" - lethargic with red, runny eyes.

The rescue say their vet has checked him over and he's fine - they're putting his symptoms down to stress and are happy for him to be rehomed.

Could stress cause flu symptoms?

Understandably, my friend (who's never had a cat before) is wary of taking on a sick cat and asked me what he should do. I've told him to see how things are in 48 hours.
Title: Re: Can stress give a cat flu symptoms?
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on July 03, 2016, 00:18:30 AM
Yes it definately can.

If a cat has had cat flu and apparently recovered this can come back if under extreme stress.

I have seen this happen at a rescue where a cat did not get on with other cats but as soon as theythought this cat had recovered they put it back with all the other cats and it was ill again.
Title: Re: Can stress give a cat flu symptoms?
Post by: jezebel on July 03, 2016, 09:03:36 AM
Thanks Gill, I never knew that.

I don't know if this cat has ever had cat flu, but I did find out he recently had some vaccinations so perhaps that caused a bad reaction.
Title: Re: Can stress give a cat flu symptoms?
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on July 03, 2016, 22:22:49 PM
Any problem from vacinations should have passed after a couple of days.

I think your friend should be very careful over this cat
Title: Re: Can stress give a cat flu symptoms?
Post by: Rosella moggy on July 04, 2016, 06:43:44 AM
Our Bob was unwell when he were a young Un.  We had recurrences of cat flu over the next few years that were very worrying. A lot worse than lethargic with red runny eyes. 

Having said that this little fella needs a home just as much as his sister and we wouldn't be without our incredible Bob who is now a strapping 5 year old and strong as a horse.
Title: Re: Can stress give a cat flu symptoms?
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on July 04, 2016, 07:43:51 AM
The cat may be having an allergic reaction to something - could be food, or pollen, plants, perfume or cleaning products. 

If he took on both cats, it may be the rescue would assist with any vet checks/expenses which may prove necessary?  It does seem a shame to separate them, if it could be avoided.   :(

I still close my eyes tight when I think of how close we came to handing the Gurlies back, when we had a crisis of confidence and thought we were failing with them. 

As Rosella's said about Boris and Bobby, we wouldn't be without our Gurlies now, and the thought of them not being together makes me sad.
Title: Re: Can stress give a cat flu symptoms?
Post by: Dawn F on July 04, 2016, 10:09:40 AM
Oscar had had cat flu and when he was neutered the stress caused it to flare up, that said it never happened again
Title: Re: Can stress give a cat flu symptoms?
Post by: jezebel on July 04, 2016, 13:30:31 PM
The latest news is that the boy cat needs eye drops so is being kept at the rescue until Tuesday at the earliest. Don't know what the drops are for - or even if they're for one or both cats. From what I've heard, it seems difficult to get any real information from this rescue.

Anyway, my friend's hanging on - he's very taken with these two (I've seen pictures - they're gorgeous ginga ningas!). And he wouldn't dream of splitting them - it's both or none.
Title: Re: Can stress give a cat flu symptoms?
Post by: Dawn F on July 04, 2016, 13:35:55 PM
they can get ulcers on the eyes if I remember rightly, it was a long time ago, Oscar and his brother were calici carriers
Title: Re: Can stress give a cat flu symptoms?
Post by: Rosella moggy on July 04, 2016, 13:37:33 PM
Your friend sounds like a good un  :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Can stress give a cat flu symptoms?
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on July 04, 2016, 13:49:50 PM
My brother had a Maine Coon who was too nand had ulcers on his eyes
Title: Re: Can stress give a cat flu symptoms?
Post by: Sootyca on July 04, 2016, 20:26:29 PM
I think my Robbie had cat flu as a kitten - has never had an issue except he always has runny eyes.  Nothing causes it particularly, he just has them. Wouldn't swap him for the world though :D