What Are The Warning Signs That Your Cat Has The Coronavirus?

As if the coronavirus wasn't bad enough hurting people, it can also have an impact on cats. Scientists and doctors have discovered that it's possible for cats to contract the coronavirus from other cats, as well as humans. For this reason, if you have a kitty at home, it's a good idea to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of this disease in your cat. Here's what you should know.

First Things First

Before you start feeling afraid that your cat could make you sick with the coronavirus, don't panic. While there is evidence that people can make their cats sick when they have the coronavirus, there have been no cases indicating the opposite. In other words, it's extremely unlikely that your cat can make you sick if they come down with this condition. If you want to be extra careful, you can wear gloves and a mask while handling your cat, but it shouldn't be cause for concern.

Symptoms

In cats, the worst and most common symptoms from the coronavirus tend to be respiratory problems. In other words, cats who have this condition end up having difficulty breathing. 

Your cat may cough, sneeze, wheeze, or become winded easily when you try to play with them or take them for a walk. If you notice that your cat is having these symptoms, you need to get them help right away. Even if it isn't the coronavirus, respiratory symptoms are a bad sign that something's wrong with your cat, and they could get very sick or even worse without your help.

Treatment

Unfortunately, at this time there's no known treatment for the coronavirus. So what you need to do is to bring your cat to the vet for supportive care.

Your vet can ensure that your cat doesn't get any secondary infections, like bacterial pneumonia, with antibiotics. In addition, if the kitty is having a really hard time breathing, they can be put in a special kennel that has flowing oxygen built into it. This will help your kitty to get more oxygen even if they're struggling with their breathing.

So far, all the cats who have been known to have the coronavirus have recovered from it with rest and help from veterinarians. So, you don't need to panic that your cat is going to pass away, but you do definitely need to get them help. Make sure to alert your vet to your cat being sick before heading to the office, as they may have special rules to prevent infected cats from making others sick.

For more information, reach out to a company like Pittsburgh Spay & Vaccination Clinic.