Cat Cold Medicine: How Often to Administer Daily

When it comes to medication, humans often follow the simple rule of "two pills, twice a day," but this isn't the case for cats! In fact, the dosages of oral medications for animals are typically based on their weight and can vary greatly between species. This is why being a veterinarian can be quite challenging.

Now, let's talk about how often to administer cat cold medicine. Generally:

1. Clinically, it's not common to perform differential diagnoses for feline respiratory diseases (like herpesvirus, calicivirus, chlamydia, etc.). Instead, most treatments are symptomatic. Here's how you should administer the medication:

① The antibiotic of choice is doxycycline, at a dosage of 5mg per kilogram of body weight, taken twice a day, for a duration of 3 to 4 weeks.

② Lysine, 0.5g per cat, 1 to 2 times a day.

③ Interferon, either administered via injection or orally.

2. If your cat is coughing, it's important to consider a Bordetella bronchiseptica infection. However, this pathogen is often not found during coughing episodes, so treatment is usually symptomatic.

3. If your cat is showing symptoms like excessive tear production, pus, or conjunctival swelling, you can use tobramycin eye drops (three to four times a day) or Yatrogan eye drops (three to four times a day). Also, make sure to clean the eye area and nasal secretions promptly. You can use saline solution or a purchased eye drops, following the instructions on the label. But if the symptoms are severe, it's crucial to visit a veterinarian for corneal fluorescein staining to check for any damage to the cornea! Corneal damage is not as simple as a few eye drops can fix, and it can even lead to blindness.

4. During treatment, feed your cat fresh, flavorful food like canned food, cooked chicken breast, or salmon to stimulate their appetite and encourage them to eat more. Typically, if your cat's appetite is good, there's no need to worry excessively. The prognosis is usually favorable.

5. A crucial point to remember! Although deaths from respiratory system issues are rare, they can be fatal. If your cat shows a lack of appetite and energy, be extra vigilant and seek veterinary care immediately.

With all the information about how often to give cat cold medicine, I hope this helps all of you cat parents. Remember, cats should not be given medication arbitrarily, and definitely not human cold medicine. If you're unsure about how to handle the situation, don't hesitate to take your furry friend to a pet hospital or consult with an online veterinary expert.