New Year's Health Challenges- and Remedies!

For many of us, closing out 2023 begins tonight, December 31st. Others welcome the New Year in February- yay Year of the Dragon!- or in March- Narouz Mubarak! But regardless of the day or the way you celebrate closing out the old, we can all agree on one thing- being sick is awful. In fact, it was one of the things our family wrote down on our annual “good riddance” paper for 2023.

Cat Health Battle: Infections and ear mites

Sickness has been running through our home of late, human and animal alike. Our FeLV (Feline Leukemiavirus)/FCV (Feline Calicivirus) cat Lena has been struggling with her latest sinus congestion flare-up, along with a corresponding ear infection and yeast infection. She hides her discomfort really well, so it took a while to realize what was happening beyond the usual sneezing. The older kittens also brought in a tough bout of ear mites- treating everyone consistently is a real challenge. Lena is especially sensitive to them.

We use about ¼ tsp of MCT oil in each ear every other day for infection and bugs, and alternating days we try to get at least a few drops of Wondercide’s ear cleaner in before the teeth and claws get serious. Typically it takes 2 weeks to kill ear mites completely- eggs burrow deep in the ear wax and can also fall on bedding. So 2 weeks can easily become 2 months or more. Conventional treatments can cause painful deafness, so we opt for safer remedies.

We are also using our absolute favorite- FeLife by Doc Clemens remedies, to help Lena’s body reduce its viral load. It also helps as a decongestant so she can smell her food and drink when needed. It is an absolute lifesaver, even when I can only get her to take it once a day. Her achille’s heel has always been kibble- something guaranteed to make yeast problems and ear problems worse! So for now we top it with collagen protein powder, chicken, and chicken livers.

I recently listed to an excellent discussion with Two Crazy Cat Ladies and Julie-Anne Thorne from Naturally cats about directing positive energy towards your cat before attempting to give medication, and it is helping. But admittedly I am still pretty nervous when I have to get too close to Lena’s claws for more than a few days. Here’s to a calmer, healthier, and more grounded self in 2024!

Kitten Battle: Calicivirus Eyes

Collette’s kittens (her one and only litter!) have also been exposed to FCV, and need daily care to keep their eyes from staying sealed shut. Lena cared for Collette and her siblings when they were babies, so they became carriers. Mom Collette is completely asymptomatic as she was exposed to the virus at 8 weeks old and was healthy enough to fight it off. She doesn’t even so much as have the hallmark red gums. But the virus in her saliva- activated from the stress of child birth- was enough to impact her babies, and their eyes get glued shut about every day. Thankfully no coughing or sneezing, so the strain they have is nowhere near as serious as others have been in the past. FCV has numerous strains- similar to a human flu. About 35% of all cats have a version of it in their gut and it is highly contagious, so we are grateful these kittens are pulling through.

It’s really important to keep the eyes cleaned at least twice a day. FCV, herpesvirus, and chlamydia are the most common causes of early kitten blindness. Once the eyes get sealed shut, it’s just a matter of days before the fluid/mucous build-up behind the eyes permanently destroys the eye. Many people opt for surgery when this happens, but when cleaned out and cared for properly, the missing/damaged eye does regrow, even if it is not fully functional.
Remedy: A little MCT oil and water on baby wipes twice a day to the rescue! 

So, what health challenges are you and your loved ones facing at the beginning of this new year? Feel free to let us know in the comments so we can help you all have the healthiest 2024 possible. We all love our cats and kittens, and are doing our best to help them thrive.

Wishing you and your cats and kittens a prosperous and healthy New Year! Until next time, Always Be Curious!