rescued sick himalayan cat

Question
I rescued a neutered male Himalayan from the middle of the road. He came rite to me and is very docile. I took him to the vet where he tested neg for everything and was shaved due to extreme matting. He was also given all his shots. That was Nov 3rd. He has been on lycein for a cold more so stuffy/runny nose with sneezing. However he sleeps constantly and normally has to be with me but does not react normal when I move I can handle him like a baby and he shows no indifference. Also he seems unsteady at times and has rapid eye movement when awake. I have other cats and if he is a threat to their health I want to keep them apart. When I called to update vet they said it was most likely shear exhaustion as they guess he's been out for a yr due to his condition. She said it mite take a month for him to act normal once his fluids and immune system come back. He is 6yrs and only weighs 6lbs and his breath isn't great. Im worried about him and my other cats. Is this normal? Please help.

Answer
Hi Jamie,

If he has tested negative for Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS, he should not be a major threat to your other cats. The upper respiratory infection is likely contagious, but your cats are probably already carriers of this germ anyway. The additional exposure to the virus particles that the Himalayan is shedding can cause stress on their immune systems, however, and that can cause them to show symptoms that they have been suppressing. If you want to try to avoid the sniffles in the rest of them, you may want to keep him separated until he's recovered.

Because he has bad breath, I have a strong suspicion that the Himalayan's infection is not just viral. Odors are usually caused by bacteria. And bacterial infections very often follow when a cat has a viral infection like a cold, or when a cat is malnourished. Their immune system is weakened, and bacteria move right in. The lysine will help with the viral aspect of his infection, but I feel you should talk to the vet about an antibiotic to clear up the bacterial component. If he was given an antibiotic when he was first seen but has finished it up, I would tell them he has not much improved, and see if he can try a different one.  

Cats can take a long time to recover from a herpes flare-up (the most common cause of a kitty cold), especially if they have been suffering from malnourishment. Sometimes it can take 4-6 weeks. Although it won't support his immune system directly, you can ask your vet about feeding him a critical care food such as Royal Canin's Recovery or Hill's a/d. These are high protein foods that will support his body and help him put on healthy weight. Supporting his body condition will allow him the resources to gain a healthy immune system. These foods are available only through your vet. You can also give him a vitamin, mineral and calorie supplement like Nutri-Cal, available through your vet, at some pet stores and online, until he's reached a healthier weight.

As for the rapid eye movement, I believe what you're describing is nystagmus. This is a rapid rocking of the eyes back and forth and is common in color-pointed cats like the Siamese in Himalayan. It's usually present from birth. It doesn't indicate any health problems and doesn't seem to cause them any discomfort.

Best wishes!

Jessica