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.
I like it that Charlie isn’t hiding away from you! I’m sure the fresh air will have helped him, I hope it’s a nice day there again tomorrow, I’m all for poorly cats getting some outdoor therapy if it’s nice weather, rather than being kept in against their will.
Thanks Ruth. He is on my chair now and he is indoors all night from about 8pm to 9am usually. I think he has a nice balance of safe outdoors and indoors. I don’t think I could do much better in that regard.
Let’s all think POSITIVE and send healing thoughts to Charlie and loving support to Michael.
Charlie isn’t wandering, he’s staying close to home, that’s good!
When Ebony was dying she wanted to wander away from us, we couldn’t let her of course, but she made it obvious she wanted no fuss.
Good point Dee. He has picked up a little bit and I sense that he is not going out to find a quiet spot to die but it did cross my mind. He stays very close to the home and I feel it is better for him to go out. I think it makes him feel better. Some stimulation to distract him.
What is worrisome to me is that Charlie wants to go outside. I pray that it is because he is better. But, with my indoor cats that are close to dying, they always want to go outside to find their resting place and, in fact, they plead to go outside. And the outdoor ones want to wander off to be alone to die. It kills me, but I comply with their wishes most of the time.
I think it’s good news Charlie is choosing to go out a bit, why don’t you sit out in the sun with him and try to relax, read a book or listen to some music. I’m sure your PoC family will allow you some time off 😉 let the articles wait!