Conference misery::feline_v1

4511.0. "Cold symptoms caused by stress?" by SA1794::RIVARDB () Tue Apr 02 1991 13:31

       Can anyone tell me if stress could cause a cat to have symptoms of
    a cold? I took Hamilton to the groomer's for the first time on Sat.
    He was very nervous in the car and sneezed a bit. His nose sounded
    stuffy and it was a little wet. When we went to get him, he was
    terrified and seemed extremely subdued. Since then he seems tired,
    doesn't play as much as before and sneezes every so often. A friend
    says he seems to have had a shock. The groomer said he went spastic 
    when she started to work on his chest (he had bunches of small mats
    that she shaved off). So far, being an only child, he's led a very
    sheltered life. He's used to quite a bit of attention in the form
    of hugs, neck scratching, pats and kisses, being chased and played
    with. He's VERY affectionate and gentle and our house is a quiet
    place (no kids, not much traffic and he's always the center of at-
    tention). He's an indoor cat only (black Persian) and his life has
    very little, if any, stress in it. Have we been wrong to protect him
    so much, as someone told me we do? His eyes just look so sad ever since
    Saturday and he just doesn't seem the same, or is my imagination running 
    away with me? But I'm not the only one who sees a change in him. Any advice?
    
    Thanx,
    b.r. and Hamilton
     
    

    To be on the safe side, I'd take him to the vet to see if
    he's ill and needs medical attention.
    

Stress can cause a lowered immunity and can set him up to pick up something 
while he is under stress.  He probably should be taken to the vet now while he
is showing symptoms.  This kind of thing is often called a stress cold, and it
is very common when a kitten is placed into a new home.  I always warn my pet
buyers about the possibility of it occuring.

Any time a cat is under stress, he/she will be more susceptible to picking up 
little nasties.

Jo