Ollie is in bad shape.

lawguy

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Totally congested, sneezing, coughing, and just seeming lethargic.

No color in the snot though. which is good because it lessens the probability of his illness being bacterial, but is also bad because it seems to indicate that it's viral - and as we all know about viruses, there is very limited treatment options for them.

What can I do to make Ollie feel better in the meanwhile?

I usually put the shower on the hottest setting and breathe in the moisture in the air to help alleviate congestion, but b/c I don't know exactly what he has, that could potentially make him worse.

If he's not better by the end of this weekend, I'm taking him back to the vet to be seen again.

In the meantime, again, any ideas on how to make him as comfortable as possible would be great. My understanding is that what he has will go away on its own just like the vet told me, but in the meantime, I want to make him fee comfy.
 

carolina

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Originally Posted by LawGuy

Totally congested, sneezing, coughing, and just seeming lethargic.

No color in the snot though. which is good because it lessens the probability of his illness being bacterial, but is also bad because it seems to indicate that it's viral - and as we all know about viruses, there is very limited treatment options for them.

What can I do to make Ollie feel better in the meanwhile?

I usually put the shower on the hottest setting and breathe in the moisture in the air to help alleviate congestion, but b/c I don't know exactly what he has, that could potentially make him worse.

If he's not better by the end of this weekend, I'm taking him back to the vet to be seen again.

In the meantime, again, any ideas on how to make him as comfortable as possible would be great. My understanding is that what he has will go away on its own just like the vet told me, but in the meantime, I want to make him fee comfy.
URI is dangerous in kittens - I would take him to the vet sooner. The steam from the shower is great - it will not make him worse.
Put him on 500mg of L-Lysine; if it is caused by herpes, it will help to stop it. Make sure he is eating and drinking properly.
Do you have a vaporizer at home? That would be great too...
for the little guy...
 

white cat lover

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A URI can be fatal to kittens. They are very common, and easily treated if treated at the first symptoms. They are also airborne, so I wouldn't be surprised of Ally gets it too. I would get him to the vet ASAP to start treating him with anti-biotics.
 
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lawguy

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Already did that on Tuesday when I heard the first cough and 2 sneezes. I just could see where things were going.

He's on docycycline in addition to the L-Lysine. The vet said to wait at least until Monday to see if the meds work. If he's no better, to take him back in.
 
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lawguy

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I just went and checked on him again. He's not doing well at all. I got him to eat some food and mixed in his L-Lysine powder in it for the day.

Even though the doctor said to give the meds some time, I am going to call them today when they open and see if they can squeeze him in today or tomorrow.

With him being so young, I don't want to risk anything. If the doc says to continue the meds he gave Ollie, I may take Ollie over to Ally's vet and see what he thinks (get a second opinion).

I will post an update when I know if the vet can see him today or tomorrow.
 

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I'd definitely get him in to a vet today, if you possibly can, if only to ease your own mind. In fact, myself I'd lean toward getting him checked over by Ally's vet - a second opinion cannot hurt; worst case, you'll have a reputation as a nervous daddy
, and I'm sure that won't bother you at all.

It'd be nice to get them both strong and healthy before the stress of the move and new home. But both of them are blessed to have found you.

Prayers for you all, and please keep us posted.
 

xocats

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Originally Posted by darlili

I'd definitely get him in to a vet today, if you possibly can, if only to ease your own mind. In fact, myself I'd lean toward getting him checked over by Ally's vet - a second opinion cannot hurt; worst case, you'll have a reputation as a nervous daddy
, and I'm sure that won't bother you at all.
I agree....
In my opinion, its vet time today.

Better safe than sorry...
 

poppy0109

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My experience...coughing = very bad!
Hope the vet can see him today.

Healing vibes for Ollie.
 

rapunzel47

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Originally Posted by xocats

I agree....
In my opinion, its vet time today.

Better safe than sorry...
The other thing I'd say is if his vet doesn't respond to your worry and see him, it's time not just for a second opinion, but for a change of vets.
 

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It's easy to get very worried about what amounts to a cold, but in a kitten it can be pretty serious. Punkin had it pretty bad when we got him, but he was about 6 months old, and with some antibiotics, etc., he recovered very well.

Of course, having just had a cold myself, I have to say that what we regard as a fairly mild illness can sure make you miserable, especially the two or three days when everything loses its taste.
 

kittieshasme

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for your little guy.

Poor you and poor Ollie. You sure have been through alot, first with Ally and now with Ollie. Hang in there!
 
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lawguy

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Ok. We're back. He saw a different vet today b/c the other one wasn't there. It turns out that was a good thing. This vet seemed to really know what she was doing, which is not to say that the other one didn't - Ollie didn't get really really sick until after he was there on Tuesday. He was just starting to show symptoms then like sneezing and coughing.

All the effort I've been putting into getting Ollie to eat has been paying off. He's put on 5 ounces in 2 days and the vet thinks that if I just keep it up, he'll be at a good weight pretty soon. At this rate, in 3 more days he should be at 4 lbs. whereas he was 3lbs exactly on Tuesday, the first time he went to the vet.

As for his URI, the vet wanted me to continue the doxycycline, but added another med that is technically an anti-biotic eye drop, but wants me to use it on his nostrils and if he starts to show any discharge in his eye, to use it there too.

Lastly, the vet was very kind and just gave me a bottle of Tresaderm for Ollie's ear-mites. She said that while Revolution will take care of them, with Ollie suffering, giving him Tresaderm will get rid of them faster and get him relief faster. So I've got him on that too. I would have gladly bought him a bottle, had she simply prescribed it, but she literally just gave it to me.

Also, while I was out, I went to Ally's vet and picked up a bottle of Enisyl-F lysine paste nutritional supplement to put her on in the meantime as a preventative measure. I will also use it for Ollie once he's finished all of the lysine powder the humane society gave me to mix into his food (and by that time, this infection should be gone).

Ollie's hanging in there. Kittens seem to be really tough and brave little creatures.
 

carolina

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Originally Posted by LawGuy

Ok. We're back. He saw a different vet today b/c the other one wasn't there. It turns out that was a good thing. This vet seemed to really know what she was doing, which is not to say that the other one didn't - Ollie didn't get really really sick until after he was there on Tuesday. He was just starting to show symptoms then like sneezing and coughing.

All the effort I've been putting into getting Ollie to eat has been paying off. He's put on 5 ounces in 2 days and the vet thinks that if I just keep it up, he'll be at a good weight pretty soon. At this rate, in 3 more days he should be at 4 lbs. whereas he was 3lbs exactly on Tuesday, the first time he went to the vet.

As for his URI, the vet wanted me to continue the doxycycline, but added another med that is technically an anti-biotic eye drop, but wants me to use it on his nostrils and if he starts to show any discharge in his eye, to use it there too.

Lastly, the vet was very kind and just gave me a bottle of Tresaderm for Ollie's ear-mites. She said that while Revolution will take care of them, with Ollie suffering, giving him Tresaderm will get rid of them faster and get him relief faster. So I've got him on that too. I would have gladly bought him a bottle, had she simply prescribed it, but she literally just gave it to me.

Also, while I was out, I went to Ally's vet and picked up a bottle of Enisyl-F lysine paste nutritional supplement to put her on in the meantime as a preventative measure. I will also use it for Ollie once he's finished all of the lysine powder the humane society gave me to mix into his food (and by that time, this infection should be gone).

Ollie's hanging in there. Kittens seem to be really tough and brave little creatures.
You are an awesome kitty daddy - you should be very proud! Ollie and Ally are lucky kittens!
 

addiebee

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Poor baby and poor Daddy - running around a nervous wreck! These are your fur kids and you're entitled to be concerned.

Glad the second vet was more in tune with things... and wishing Ollie a speedy recovery and that Ally doesn't get sick, too!
 
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