Dealing with Corona Virus

[Amanda Hughes]

Hello,

I recently had one of my girls tested for any viruses or other illnesses. The vet said that she has a dormant version of the corona virus. She also said that this may causes her to have intermittent shedding and occasional Diarrhea as well as that my other cat may have been exposed. I'll be taking her in next paycheck, but I'm very certain she has it too because when both of them defecate it varies between being solid or runny. I know because I have checked after the other went to the bathroom because I could hear her bowl movement wasn't right.

I wanted to ask and see if anyone has experience with this and offer any suggestions on how to handle it. They have access to plenty of water. I just wanted to see if there were any suggestions on trying to lessen how often it's runny.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Coronavirus exposure is very common, they estimate that over 80% of cats are exposed to it at some time. In a small pet household (say less than 3 cats), with good litterbox cleaning habits it is usually eradicated with time. The danger mostly is in re-exposure via feces in the litterbox between cats...so my advice is to increase the number of litterboxes and clean them regularly. How many cats do you have and how many litterboxes for example?

Was this cat given the PCR panel to check for other pathogens other than coronavirus? It's worth knowing that nothing else is involved that is treatable.

 

[Amanda Hughes]

Coronavirus exposure is very common, they estimate that over 80% of cats are exposed to it at some time. In a small pet household (say less than 3 cats), with good litterbox cleaning habits it is usually eradicated with time. The danger mostly is in re-exposure via feces in the litterbox between cats...so my advice is to increase the number of litterboxes and clean them regularly. How many cats do you have and how many litterboxes for example?

Was this cat given the PCR panel to check for other pathogens other than coronavirus? It's worth knowing that nothing else is involved that is treatable.

The one I've taken so far had a full PCR as part of the contract. I'll add litter boxes, was starting to think 2 isn't enough with 2 cats, even if I do clean them a minimum of 2 times a day. I'll also clean them more frequently. I was doing it at least once a month, more if they got poop on the side. I'll be cleaning them tomorrow cause they are managing to poop high on the edge of the box. I was told the only thing that came back bad was the corona test.

Is it bad that they pass gas often?

 

[DumaLove]

If they are gassy that indicates they aren't digesting something in their food. You may want to try different food with a different protein source to see if that helps. But just make sure any changes are gradual. You can also try adding some digestive enzymes and/or probiotics.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

The rule of thumb is one box per cat plus one for the household....but yes they need to be cleaned more frequently especially when one of them has loose stools. Once a week is what I would suggest.

Working on keeping the stools firmed will also help...if you just consider infection, a firm round stool in the box is not going to be spread about the litter particles like a looser stool would.

Excess gas indicates digestion isn't quite what you want it to be... what are you feeding? Maybe a change there is going to help, or adding a probiotic &/or digestive enzymes as DumaLove suggested.

 

[Patti]

Corona virus is usually asypmtomatic so if they are having frequent diarrhea you might want to look at another cause, such as diet, especially if they are having a lot of gas as well. If no other infectious agent is present you can add psyllium to help bulk up their stools.

 

[frances]

if you are in the UK you might want to try Royal Canin Digest Sensitive pouches.