Upper Respiratory Disease/Cat

Question
Hi,

I have been a cat owner for over 19 years with no problems. I have acquired 6 cats in this time point. No problems until now.

First all the cats were strays and have been neutered/vaccinated. All inside. However I moved in last October and about 3 weeks ago one of my little cusps got out and stayed out for about 12 hours.

2 weeks later all but her developed Upper Respiratory Infections.

OMGosh could not tell you how distressed I am. They are not eating, typical symptoms sneezing, discharge, lethargic.

HOW LONG DOES THIS LAST? It has been about 2 weeks. My oldest I am in worst fear- he is 19. I have NEVER encountered this before. I researched it realizing this is a virus. I did start antibiotic treatment on all.

Is this going to be a mainstay at my house for now on because it is infectious. I can't separate out anything. I keep a pretty clean household.

I am baffled. In 19 years nothing. I don't know what to do and I can't take them all in obviously because I am poor!

Answer
Most of these infections are prevented with vaccinations. My cats are vaccinated yearly and are indoor outdoor and never get sick. So are you vaccinated yearly?

Now cats can get these through a screen door- most of them are viruses.
You said you started antibiotic treatment. What are you using and how much of it do you have? Antibiotics do not touch viruses, they just prevent secondary infections.

You need to have enough to treat each cat twice a day for ten days each.
Use diluted bleach on surfaces that the cats eat on (rinsing thoroughly) and on any areas they are sneezing onto. You really should take in your 19 yr old cat. He may need supportive therapy.

Once this settles down you need to re-vaccinate everyone. These kinds of infections can last weeks or months- depending on the strain of virus and how much the cats are re-cycling it as well as their own individual immune system strengths.