My New Cat Has Upper Respiratory Infections
Just got this cat from the Pound and I think he has Upper Respiratory Infections. He is sneezing, sniffling, and has a runny nose. I know I should go to the vet but is there anything i can do right now?
Thanks for your help!
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yes, it probally is a URI. Like people have already mentioned-keep him as far away from any other cats you may have (but if you havent’ done this yet-they will probally get infected). Wash your hands well, inbeteen handling him and healthy cats. If he gets really congested you can try having him sit in the bathroom while you run a hot shower (don’t put him in the shower) just have him in the room so his mucous gets loosened up. URIs are very common, and most cats are fine.
If you have any other pets, make sure your new cat isn’t in contact with them until a vet is able to evaluate him. Other than that, just try to keep him comfortable, in a room that’s not too cold/drafty. Wash your hands between contact with him and your other pets (again, if you have others).
I brought my own cat home from the shelter and she started to show symptoms of a cold/infection within a couple of days. I called them and they gave me antibiotics for her since she obviously had caught her cold there. That would be the only solution I can think of at least until you get her to your vet.
He could have a URI or coronavirus, the list goes on and on.. Hopefully it is just something antibiotics can clear up, so don’t panic too much yet. Just stay positive and do the best you can until he sees the vet. The shelter you adopted him from may be able to help with antibiotics or vet care, it can’t hurt to call them and explain the situation.
Make sure his nostrils are clear, cats are nose breathers and those little nostrils should be kept open. If there is dried mucus caked on, do not pull it off. It can hurt the poor little nose. Soak, wipe and repeat. Just make sure he is eating and drinking good and can keep the food down. Just get him to the vet asap, but in the meantime baby him and keep him cozy and clean.
Good luck!
The best thing is to keep him comfortable, warm and away from other cats as it’s highly contagious for them. And see the vet as soon as possible so he can put him on antibiotics.
I agree with Jenni totally. The most important issue is the cat’s being able to breathe comfortably so that he won’t stop eating.
The viruses are very common in all shelter situations and very contagious. A lot of it can be due to stress also.
So the guy has been stressed by being in the shelter and then moving to another new environment (your home). Though he will have love, attention, regular food, and a permanent home HE doesn’t know that.
You can get a bottle of Rescue Remedy from a health food store and use that on him. You just shake the bottle well and put three to four drops on the fur between his ears. Do this four or five times a day for a week to ten days. It will relieve his stress and help him in his physical recovery. The RR can’t harm him in any way and won’t interfere with any medications he might get from the vet.
Cats that have been in shelters are highly likely to have picked up an upper respiratory infection. Usually when you adopt an animal from a shelter, you’re given a certificate for a free health exam from a participating veterinarian. Use this certificate to have him checked out. You’ll have to pay for any medications that are prescribed for him, but the exam should be free. Get him to the vet ASAP. Upper respiratory can get pretty nasty. Keep him away from any other animals that you may have, and wash your hands each time you interact with him. Until you can get him to the vet, you can do a few things to help him out. Run a humidifier with water only in it. Make sure he eats and drinks, and give him plenty of love. =)
nope, nothing over the counter will help or cure this. Your cat needs a vet and medication
It could very well be Rhinotracheitis (Rhino) which is fairly common in cats from shelters due to unvacinated animals. If it is Rhino you will most likely be prescribed Clavamox (probably twice a day for seven days).
Rhinotracheitis is characterized by respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, nasal discharge, rhinitis (inflammation of the nose), and conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane lining the eyelid). Rhinotracheitis is part of the feline upper respiratory infection complex, which is a group of viral and bacterial infections (e.g., calicivirus, chlamydiosis) that cause sneezing and discharge from the eyes and nose. Cats often have two or more of these upper respiratory infections at the same time.
You need to take the cat to a vet to be diagnosed.