Symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing and coughing can develop as a result of a viral, bacterial or fungal infection in the canine or feline respiratory system. But while human colds are usually associated with a change in season, cat and dog colds are independent of seasonality and are usually caused by a virus.
Many pet owners bring their dog or cat to a vet, kennel or cattery while traveling. The risk of infection increases greatly. In addition, the holidays are often a time of high-travel, and pets may come along for the journey.
Conditions on an airplane or other places of high traffic are also grounds for germs and illness for pets, just as they are for humans. Even exposure to a family member’s pet, strange food, and disturbed living environment can cause stress and wreak havoc on an animal’s immune system.
Therefore, taking a proactive approach to your pet’s health is just as important as it is for your own.
Holistic Health for Supporting Immunity in Cats
FCV Protect™ Homeopathic vaccine temporarily relieves feline flu symptoms including sneezing, nasal congestion and fever
FCV Protect Temporarily:
- Relieves sneezing, nasal congestion and fever
- Acts as an oral annual alternative vaccine
- Alleviates weepy eyes and blocked nose
- Opens airways and easy-breathing
- Aids in respiratory system healing
FCV Protect™ should be administered at the first sign of symptoms for the short-term improvement of feline respiratory health and to provide support to the immune system – especially of vulnerable kittens and pregnant queens. This remedy is completely safe for kittens and pregnant queens – with no risk to the unborn kittens
Panleuk-Free™ Homeopathic vaccine temporarily relieves symptoms of cat distemper (feline panleukopenia)
Panleuk-Free Temporarily:
- Protects feline immune system when virally compromise.
- Alleviates nausea and vomiting
- Increases gastrointestinal tract healing
- Revives normal appetite and energy levels
- Aids in respiratory system healing
- Increases levels of iron in the blood.
- Improves systemic hydration
Panleuk-Free can be taken to support systemic health and prevent symptoms of feline distemper or at the first sign of symptoms for the short-term relief of gastrointestinal tract distress, including vomiting and diarrhea. Panleuk-Free is completely safe for kittens and pregnant queens – with no risk to the unborn kittens.
Natural remedies can have an important role to play in lessening common symptoms and promoting quicker recovery in a gentle, safe manner. There are many remedies that can quickly help to relieve common symptoms of cat flu such as sneezing, coughing, and other respiratory problems.
A weak immune system enhances the risk of catching a cold. Older cats with compromised immunity need extra care to avoid any serious medical emergency. Kittens fall under the same category due to an underdeveloped immune system. Your primary attention should be to build up her immunity so that the risk of catching a cold is minimized. This will also help your cat to ward of many other diseases, as well.
Relieve Symptoms as They Occur
Immunity & Liver Support™ is an herbal tonic to support healthy immune system and liver functioning in dogs and cats
That said, cat owners should remember that although the symptoms of cat colds are similar to those experienced by humans, there is a vast difference in how feline colds should be managed. One of the common viruses that cause cold-like symptoms in cats is feline calicivirus, which belongs to a family of viruses that continually change their compositions. Moreover, feline upper respiratory infections tend to progress due to a vulnerability to secondary infections.
Cat flu is a general name given to infectious acute feline respiratory disease caused by a number of organisms. It is commonly seen in cats that have not been vaccinated, especially when they are kept in an over-crowded, dusty environment with poor ventilation and high humidity. A huge majority (almost 80%) of the infections are caused either by feline calicivirus (FCV) or feline rhinotracheitis virus (FRV or herpes virus). The rest are caused by organisms known as feline coronavirus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Pasturella multocida, Mycoplasma (parasitic bacteria) or Chlamydophila felis. Many cases of cat flu are tested positive for infection by more than one of these infectious agents.
Protective Care & Remedy Relief for Dogs
Natural remedies can have an important role to play in helping to prevent illness as well as in promoting a faster recovery in a gentle, safe manner. Remember that canine colds are rarely as simple as they seem to be. Your timely attention will go a long way in making life comfortable for your dog and avoiding the progression of a mild condition into a life-threatening one.
TF-Defense™ Support iron absorption & maintain red blood cell integrity
TF-Defense Benefits:
- Supports strength and integrity of red blood cells
- Supports systemic iron absorption
- Maintains liver health and functioning
- Supports the immune system
Vi-Pro Plus™ Long-term immune system support to promote system integrity
Vi-Pro Plus Benefits:
- Support the canine immune system
- Maintain healthy respiratory functioning
- Support a healthy digestive system and maintain firm stools
- Maintain body temperature within the normal range
Sneezing is not a good sign for healthy dogs. But at the same time, you cannot do much for the problem on your own. Because of the many possibile causes, it is better to have your pet checked by a veterinarian. The relevant and appropriate treatment should then follow, if required. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics, and vaccinations cannot protect dogs from all conditions that show symptoms similar to colds.
For example, dog flu is a recent disease, and the lack of prior exposure means that the dog’s immunity is unable to combat the new virus on its own. The disease can be transmitted even by dogs that do not show any visible signs of the disease. Transmission rates are extremely high because dogs do not have a natural immunity towards the disease, since the exposure to this disease has been very low.
Transmission of the infection occurs mainly in kennels, dog parks and day care centers, from an infected dog to a healthy dog. Respiratory problems including a discharge from the infected nose are primary symptoms. The virus is passed on through these secretions.
Veterinary assessment is necessary to rule out the following possibilities that are indicated in cases of frequent sneezing:
Infection - Infections may be viral, bacterial or fungal.
Dental Disease - It may be a case of a dental infection or an abscess in the gum line that has become infected. An infected tooth root abscess may have started to affect the nose.
Sinus Infection - It can also be a case of sinus infection, which is characterized by sneezing and a stuffy nose, watery eyes, coughing and gagging.
Foreign Objects - Sometime a small blade of grass may have lodged in the nostril, causing irritation, and the dog is trying to expel it by snorting. It may be difficult for you to remove and a veterinarian’s help becomes necessary.
Allergies - Environmental or food allergies may also cause sneezing.
Growth in the Nose - The dog may have developed polyps (a small vascular growth on the surface of mucous membrane) in the nasal passage or a nasal tumor.
Once it has been established that the symptoms relate to a self-limiting cold, supportive home care is as important as treatment, if any. If nothing serious is detected, then it is safer to adopt a holistic and natural approach to dog respiratory problems to alleviate symptoms and shorten recovery time.