Helpful advise for a cat or kitten with stuffy nose

This worked so well I have to share. We took in 5 kittens and a mama cat, two of which continue to suffer from a cold. They have been with us since 3/21. Two of them have started a second 14 day course of antibiotics. One of them has such clogged nasals that I have been trying to use a bulb syringe to suction it off but it only helped a little. She was so miserable. I remembered taking my kids to the beach when possible to relieve congestion after colds. It always worked like a charm. They play in the salty air and I had tissues handy to swab away what poured out. Sooo I put a very large bowl with a few inches(nowhere near even half full) of salted water in the microwave for two minutes. Opened the door layed a towel down and stuck the kittens head inside the sweaty microwave. She was very curious and even walked around the bowl in the micro looking around. I stayed with her to ensure she did not get too close to the hot water in the bowl. After about three different times of reheating the water and then opening the door to stir it while she walked around in the micro, both of our noses where running. I'm not even sick. She's doing much better. I will retreat as needed. Hope this helps someone else.

Interesting.  Steam from the shower has always helped, so I can see why this one would.  I'm surprised, though, that just going to the beach would have helped with your kids.  It's not like would be the same as breathing in STEAMY salty air.  But, whatever, just glad it worked with both type of kids

I'm a little concerned over the fact that these two furbabies have had to start up a 2nd round of antibiotics.  What's wrong with them that the first round didn't kick in?  I'm wondering if Vets are starting to treat things with antibiotics arbitrarily now when that's not really the problem.  As you said..."they have a cold".  Well, in humans, you can't really treat a cold with antibiotics.  If these babies have a URI, then antibiotics would be called for, but maybe they really DO just have a cold.  But not for over 2 weeks, I wouldn't think. 

I really think it's the salt in the air from the ocean that helps with congestion. I have had the experience that steamy showers were only temporary relief from congestion. I understand your concern about the antibiotic.The vet even said it was likely a virus that the antibiotic would not be helpful for. He prescribed it to prevent secondary infection from bacteria since they were so little and already compromised by a virus. The congestion has eased considerably since the salt steam treatments. I only got the salt water hot to get the salt water into the air. He has breathed through his nose since that day. I still have to wipe away crust around his nose but he improves daily and has started gaining weight again. They are coming close to 8 weeks old on 5/2. It's a guestimate as the shelter said they were around 2 weeks old when we began fostering on 3/21. Enjoyed your pictures!