Does a water vapor session in your bathroom while you shower, or under a towel with a bowl of steaming water, really help to relieve the nasal congestion of a cat suffering from a bacterial and viral infection, which has blocked his nose with snot? The theory is to loosen the snot so that it flows out. It is also a technique recommended for people.
Sometimes people add a decongestant to the water to make the process more effective. Dee says “add a dollop of mentholatum to the water”. My vet said don’t add anything to the water but I totally trust Dee because she has years of hands-on experience.
I have two veterinary sources which say steaming is good so I am doing it to try to help relieve the discomfort for my cat who is very ill with suspected herpes virus or calicivirus or some other nasty cat virus combined with a horrible secondary infection. My vet recommends it and so do the books I have.
The downside is that cats don’t like it. People know what is happening. They understand that there will be steam or water vapour in the bathroom but cats don’t. For them it’s strange and unsettling. Also you have to put your cat in a carrier to control him. This downside offsets the potential benefits I feel.
Also a cat will learn to be wary of you if you constantly make him do things which he finds unpleasant because he does not realise it is for his benefit.
I will continue to do it at least once per day as I have to try everything I can to promote a return to health. I am giving him L-lysine when I can.
Yes, Ruth is very supportive.
Same with my dear old Oliver…She and I both knew from that wise old look she gave me, that she wanted to walk away, to her favorite woods. I followed but could not find her, because she wanted to be alone. She IS still here, though, for all of the cats, esp. Muckaluck, who died a year later of twenty years. Bless them all, All of Them. <3
Ruth offers such good advice, Michael. I believe she her thinking is right on for the both of you 🙂 <3
Feel free to just slap me anytime.
I tend to do this when I’ve reached exhaustion. At least I think that’s it. I can’t blame it on hormones anymore. LOL! I’m not even aware that I have turned into a witchy doom and gloomer. But, my daughter, Sarah, picks up on it fast and volunteers to take over my life for a day or two. She’s coming Tuesday. Thank god it doesn’t happen very often.
I want Charlie to recover so badly…
Doom and gloom tries to swallow me up too sometimes but I think if it does, what more use will I be?
I know you only want the best for Charlie and feel as passionately about it as I do and I’m sure Michael appreciates you very much.
Passions run high because we love cats so much and care about each and every one xx