Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Cat flu and sunshine and a military band

Max has cat flu. He was sneezing and hadn't eaten for a couple of days, staying cwtched away in a cupboard. A visit to the vet confirmed suspicion. He had a temperature of 103.
"It's not the killer it used to be'" said the vet, trying to be reassuring, "but it spreads like wildfire".
As we walked out of the vets the streets were lined with soldiers in uniform and a military band was passing by. Now, we know that Max is famous because of all his appearances in children's books, but this was a bit over the top. And then we heard it was to welcome home the local regiment from a tour of duty overseas. So young they all are. So young.
Now Max is sitting in the garden in the sunshine. It is warm. We have our whiskers crossed that he will be ok. And Maurice is sitting in the sunshine too, by the rose bushes, and sneezing.

32 comments:

  1. 103 is a fever, but the normal temp for pussacats is in the 100-102 range, so it's not quite as bad as it sounds to two-foots who are used to 'normal' being on or about 98F.

    Still Max would do well to stay bundled and snug at home and let Elmo tell him some stories. Hope he recovers swiftly.

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  2. I will send all my positive energy your way.Please be to the earth mother these fine cats be well and run in the moon light again.

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  3. Sending get well wishes to both Max and Maurice...

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  4. Poor Max. I do hope he is able to pull through and survive. He will need lots of warmth and love, I should think. Do give him a hug from me.

    I hope Maurice is just sneezing because of the sunshine and not something worse.

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  5. Get well soon, Max! And Maurice, wrap up warm.

    Sent on behalf of Smokey and Jasper, who can't get online themselves at present as they are supervising the builders in the kitchen.

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  6. Cat flu? That doesn't sound good. Hope Max gets better soon...and I hope that Maurice hasn't caught it.

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  7. Poor Max, cat flu is the pits. I hope the others don't go down with it or you will be on full time nursing duties!

    Get well soon Max, and Maurice? please stop sneezing.

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  8. Oh, poor Max. I hope that he's able to pull out of it quickly...Louie and Fuzzy are heading there on their virtual cat wings, bringing some virtual chicken noodle soup, made with rich and tender chicken to help build up his strength and warm him from the inside. Maybe you could let Maurice have a little bit, too, just to make sure he doesn't contract cat flu too. Get well soon, please, Max!

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  9. I'm sure they will all get the darn flu...hope all is well at the end of the cycle....

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  10. Poor Max & Maurice. I hope they're feeling better soon!

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  11. Try not to sneeze on the others, Max and Maurice, but if you really have to, catch those nasty cat flu germs in your hanky!
    What/ You don't have hankies?
    I guess you have to use your fur.

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  12. When we get the cat flu at our house, usually 4 out of the 6 will get it, and will spend their time sneezing on the walls and each other. Can't figure out why the other two never get it. I always wonder if they feel achy and depressed as we do when we get it.

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  13. Get well soon, Max.

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  14. Kiss to Max and his nasty sniffle...Does the vet not recommend the vaccine (for prevention)?

    xxx

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  15. Big love and healing thoughts to Max.

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  16. We,Mr Bee and I send our best wishes to a swift recovey..Stay on the Sunny side of the street(garden)***

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  17. I hope the darlings recover quickly and that they don't pass the flu to the others.
    A big hug to the whole feline family.

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  18. My experience some years ago, backs up the vet's statements, because I nursed several cats in a multi-cat household, who all caught flu, one after another. I snuggled them in bed, provided hot water bottles wrapped in towels and, even wiped sneezy little noses. They were miserable kids for a while, but were never on the danger list.

    Experts also say, however, that we humins can't catch cat flu, but at the end of our minor epidemic, I suffered THE worst ever bout of flu I have ever had in my entire life.

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  19. I am sending my very best healing purrs!

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  20. Sending love and get-well wishes to Max & Maurice.

    Mav probably isn't in the mood for a military band while he's feeling poorly, but I definitely think a star of his magnitude is deserving of one.

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  21. A couple of things that may help with stuffiness (our 4 all had cat-flu at once years ago when we introduced the 4th cat. They were all treated with antibiotics, but there are things to do that ease some symptoms.

    I heat a bit of chicken broth and then test it like a baby bottle before giving them a bit. They love it! Also, keeping a cat in the bathroom while you take a hot shower will create steam that loosens congestion and helps with the sneezing.

    Best of luck getting Max back to health.

    Kat

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  22. Poor Ginger Mom- you have had your share of kitty worries lately

    My home remedy for kitty flu: chicken broth diluted with water fed with a syringe in between sneezes. Then add baby food meats (strained chicken or veal) mixed with the broth until kitty can eat from a plate.

    and of course lots of combing, petting & chin scratching.

    Hope Max gets better soon, Elmo stays put & the other stay healthy.

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  23. Thanks for all of the good wishes everyone. Maurice still sneezing but otherwise ok. Max rallied on the first day but spent all day yesterday in one of Hannah's cupboards and has a very runny nose, is warm and limp as a rag cat.
    We will get Her to make chicken soup.

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  24. Get well Max. Love, willi

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  25. Oh dear.... We hope you feel better soon!
    Sending loads of healing purrs to you.

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  26. Adding my good wishes for your cats, Jackie. I'm sure you're doing all you can for your Super Model. (Rusty was never vaccinated and the vet says that, at his age, there's no point starting.He seems healthy enough.)

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  27. Very important to get fluids into them - especially water. One of ours nearly dehydrated and had to be put on a saline drip. Use a turkey baster if you have to.

    Kat

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  28. Do hope Max feels better?
    I had such a wonderful time in England.
    Why am I in NY not Morocco?

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  29. Please make sure Max is drinking - we nearly lost George when he got flu because he stopped taking in fluids - he went very limp too... love and thoughts to all the beautiful Welsh cats

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  30. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you all. When they get sick its just too nervewracking for us poor human beings. Whoever is in charge 'Up There' let's hope that all goes well.

    Our hearts go out to you all.

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