Orphan Kitten With Horrible URI

I am currently fostering a kitten that was brought to me in bad condition. He is severely underweight, (was) riddled with fleas, and has a URI that rivals all other URIs that I've seen.

We are on day 2. He has seen the vet, is on Clavamox and Terramycin, and is being bottlefed since he is unable to eat on his own at this time (he is about 4 weeks old).

The first day he was unable to see, unable to breathe through his nose, and gasping for air. Today he has improved greatly. The swelling and redness on his eyes has reduced considerably, especially for only 2 days of treatment. Enough that now I can see his eyes, where before they were difficult to see.

My question is this..... the one eyeball is nice and clear. The other from what I can see does have a slight clouding to it. Is this a permanent thing, or will this have the opportunity to improve along with the rest of him? I know that these types of things left untreated for a long time can permanently damage the eyes, but I've not had a situation like this personally.... Course I have no idea how long he has been this way.... Part of me says he didn't get that way overnight, the other says he couldn't have survived very long in the shape he was in. He goes back to the vet soon, but I'm hoping to get some insight before that.

Bless you and bless that little kitty! So glad he's in your care!

The clouding may go away or it may be permanent. Unfortunately, you may have to wait a bit longer to find out. If possible, add some Lysine to his food. I'd give him 250mg a day but break it into a morning and afternoon dose. This will help his immune system. You can get tablets at Wal-Mart and crush them then mix into his food or water if you're syringing him water. Also, start steaming him in the shower and/or run a vaporizer 24/7 near where the little guy sleeps. That will really help clear out the snot in his head and chest.

If you have any other questions, just ask!

Thank you! I will pick up some L-lysine tomorrow and start adding it to the feeding schedule.

I have a cool mist humidifier running on the room, (it's a small room) and the weather is pretty humid also. She (I've been calling her "he", but finally got to inspect the back end today....it's a girl! oops!) Anyway, she sounds gurgly when she breathes, but its improving.

Steam and vaporizer will work much better than a cool mist humidifier. I ran a vaporizer 24/7 for 6 weeks when we adopted Hannah and she was so sick with an URI.

Sounds like you are doing everything right hun, and THANK you for helping this poor little one!

It really is too soon to tell if there will be permanent damage to the eye, but remain optimistic, because I have seen some pretty nasty infections in my time fostering that have left no permanent damage at all. Here's hoping!

Another thing you might want to try is drops of saline for his little nose. I just purchase a bottle of saline solution at any drug store (one with NO meds), and it really helps clear out congested little noses.

Originally Posted by stephanietx

Steam and vaporizer will work much better than a cool mist humidifier. I ran a vaporizer 24/7 for 6 weeks when we adopted Hannah and she was so sick with an URI.

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Maybe I'll try the hot vaporizer instead then. Its a small room and I didn't want her to start growing mold.

Originally Posted by Kailie

Sounds like you are doing everything right hun, and THANK you for helping this poor little one!

It really is too soon to tell if there will be permanent damage to the eye, but remain optimistic, because I have seen some pretty nasty infections in my time fostering that have left no permanent damage at all. Here's hoping!

Another thing you might want to try is drops of saline for his little nose. I just purchase a bottle of saline solution at any drug store (one with NO meds), and it really helps clear out congested little noses.

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Thanks! I was worried about what I'd just gotten myself into when I saw her (I already have 2 litters of kittens here waiting to go into PetSmart, along with 6 adults).... but I'm glad to have had the opportunity.

Today her breathing sounds less "gurgly" and more pug-like. Sorry to all you pug lovers out there, but that awful snorfly noise they make reminds me much of how her breathing sounds today. She has begun purring, and even tried to play with my fingers today. She's also psyched to get out of her cage when she sees me coming. MUCH more active.

I will pick up some saline, and give that a try too. Every little bit helps! Thanks so much!

Sounds like she's already getting better!! The wanting to play and wanting to greet you upon entering the room are all great signs that she's already feeling better! Keep doing what you're doing and she'll be better in no time!

Thanks! I feel pretty good about her chances now.... can't say I felt that way 3 days ago.

I have some pics of her as she progressed over the last 5 days.... I can't believe it's the same kitty.

This one is day one. I'm linking it without the code so anyone that doesn't want to see it doesn't have to:
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a.../cats/goo1.jpg

Here she is, day 2, flea free and face cleaned up. She was very gurgly still.


Here she is, day 3, still snorfly but not nearly as gurgly. Her eyes are getting much better


And yesterday. (She had no suckle, and still has no desire to eat on her own, so I'm syringe feeding instead of bottle.)


No pics of her yet today, but her breathing sounds just raspy now, not wet. I let her out to have full run of the room instead of just the crate I was keeping her in (large crate). She was doin' the sideways halloween cat stance and attacking my toes.

Oh WOW!! What a HUGE improvement! You're doing great with her! Glad she's getting her spunk back.

Thank you Everyone is already giving me a hard time about whether or not I'll keep her. Gotta admit, pretty attached to the little gal. But we have 5 of our own, and I said no more when we decided to adopt #5. (actually, I said no more after #2, #3, and #4 also lol)

Here she is today, day 6:

(And just cuz I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea.....We do NOT let our cats outside. Ever. I took her out in the sun to get a good pic since she's so dark, sometimes it's so hard to get a good shot of her in the house lighting.)

What a great job you're doing for this poor little soul! You HAVE worked a miracle!

Wow you have done an amazing job with this litle girl.

Absolutely AMAZING progress!!! This made my day!

I've rescued a few myself. That said, it still amazes me the difference that can be made in just a few days.

She's filled out, put on some weight, been cleaned up, and most of all she looks HAPPY! That is the best part to me.

You've done a great job.

How's the little one doing?

She is doing really well!!! She is a little terror, plays with everything that moves (and some that don't). She's got way too much energy.... I just adore her. She is 1.5 pounds today. I am really hoping she makes the 2 pound mark by this weekend so she can go in with the rest of my crew for spay/neuter, but I'm doubting we can pack half a pound on her in a week.

Until she's tested for FIV/FeLV she's separated from the rest of my guys, but as soon as that's done, she's going to have a group of kitties to play with.

Her eyes have cleared up completely as far as discharge goes, but the one does still have a very small spot of haze to it. I don't think it effects her vision, but will know more when the vet sees her.

Oh my!! What a beautiful little girl! You've done a great job with her and she's looking so healthy!! Way to go!

She is beautiful you have done a fantastic job with her

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their help, thoughts, suggestions, and support.... Goo is doing just wonderfully, and we are going to start preparing her for adoption soon. (spay, vax, testing, etc) Her eye still has a small spot of cloud to it, but it has not effected her vision.

Here she is this morning, in her favorite spot. My shoulder.

She is such a pretty girl