Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

McFunkyFireFox · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 20 Location: KL-Kota Damasara

Hi as i am going to show my cats soon and i just recommeded by a friend that there is a anti-flu tablets for cats?? I am just curious and need to know about this medication maybe vets could help me on this matter...

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Most of the time, for flu, a vet will prescribe an anitihistamine, antibiotic, or a bronchodilator (or all of the above, depending on the severity). All these works to minimise the effects of flu, not to prevent it.

As far as I know, there are no anti-flu medication to be given to cats. (If there truly is one, then why are people worried about avian flu?)

horatio · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 149 Location: KL but PJ soon

Hi Dr. Nat,
Yes, i heard of such pill from a cat breeder n he claimed that he gave the so called anti cat-flu pills to his show cats n this wud prevent his cats from contracting flu for a week period of time. Perhaps the breeder may have misconception of the pills n is there any medicines that may support his claim?

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

As far as I know.. there are none. But maybe the other vets might be able to answer your questions.

horatio · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 149 Location: KL but PJ soon

Dr Nat wrote: As far as I know.. there are none. But maybe the other vets might be able to answer your questions.
righto Dr. Nat... will wait for other dr's insights... Tx :D

Dr Chong · Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 666 Location: KL

Dr Nat wrote: As far as I know.. there are none. But maybe the other vets might be able to answer your questions.

As far as I know there are no anti-flu tablets for cats to PREVENT them from getting FLU (here referred to FURD, Feline Upper Respiratory Disease)… When cat has flu vets usually prescribed antibiotic, mucolytic, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, bronchodilator, anti-pyretic, etc. to cover up any infection (bacterial) and to make cat more comfortable. Cat vaccines usually protect cats from flu caused by virus infections (this is the only prevention I know)… On the other hand, certain bacteria can cause the same disease syndrome too. Never try Panadol or any human flu medicines (acetaminophen or paracetamol), cats are vulnerable to this kind of poisoning.

burnian · Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 2

last 2 years my cat got really, really sick. he was feverish and he sneezes a lot. sounds like a flu, but he doesnt responds to any other medicine... including Vibravet. i was afraid he was having a heredetary desease, but his parents are free from HCM and HD (he is a maine coon). i asked his breeder about it and his breeder said all the symptoms sounds like his having a Chlamydia, (though he has been vaccinated thrice) and suggested a human antibiotic, Zythromax. and it works wonders... he recovers in no time (he's been sick like, more than 2 weeks). and later on i asked his breeder about this chlamydia, coz even he is recovered, he will be the carrier... but because we didnt do a blood culture, we really didn't know if his sickness was really chlamydia and the breeder said Zithromax is good for a lot of sickness...

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Do be very careful with HUMAN antibiotics. Chlamydia is a zoonotic disease, and could infect humans. If you use human antibiotics, you may create a resistant strain of this pathogen. And when people get infected, suddenly, this very good drug do not work anymore.

Thats why antibiotics should only be prescribed by an authorised person.

varanus · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 472

burnian wrote: last 2 years my cat got really, really sick. he was feverish and he sneezes a lot. sounds like a flu, but he doesnt responds to any other medicine... including Vibravet. i was afraid he was having a heredetary desease, but his parents are free from HCM and HD (he is a maine coon). i asked his breeder about it and his breeder said all the symptoms sounds like his having a Chlamydia, (though he has been vaccinated thrice) and suggested a human antibiotic, Zythromax. and it works wonders... he recovers in no time (he's been sick like, more than 2 weeks). and later on i asked his breeder about this chlamydia, coz even he is recovered, he will be the carrier... but because we didnt do a blood culture, we really didn't know if his sickness was really chlamydia and the breeder said Zithromax is good for a lot of sickness...

Be careful with zithromax, it is a very powerful medicine, even can cause the cat to have severe vomiting. Do not use unless you consult your vet. It does work wonder for flu but be careful especially if the cat is jaundice.

burnian · Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 2

well.. i just wanted to know what you vet think about it... thats the one time my cat took zithromax... well thats because he had not responded to any other medicine.. via tabs nor jabs...

Dr Heshmael · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 6:38 pm Post subject: Zithromax

True Zithromax is a human drug, and it is currently being widely used in Australia among the vets and the breeders there.

YES it is very IMPORTANT that any human drug used on any animal should be well consulted by a vet first. HOWEVER there are some drugs that some local vets may not be accustomed to, as these drugs are being well used by vets overseas & breeders.

However, PLEASE some breeders local & overseas tend to MISUNDERSTAND their vets. So they may think there is some wonder drug for everything.