Snow storm = can't get to vet!

My cat went in yesterday with the symptoms: 103 fever, lethargy, no appetite, congestion sound when purring. The finding upon examination was congestion in the lungs. The vet was unsure of the cause but suspected URI and prescribed penicillin for me to give as well as gave an injection of it. He said if he wasn't better today, to call back and probably bring him back for further testing.

He is not better today, but there was a freak snowstorm and now I cannot get to the end of the road, much less to the vet five miles away. I will call when they open and get advice, but have any of you been in this situation? I feel so helpless and scared. The weather channel says snow "should" let up tomorrow afternoon so that is my only hope.

-I have been reading scary things about congestion in lungs of cats. Is it possible this is "just" a URI if the meds haven't helped yet?

-Can I do anything here at home to make him more comfortable? I used to foster kittens so I have an arsenal of basic cat medical supplies.

-I am having to give him fluid by needle-less syringe. How many mL should I give him of water?

His name is Ramsay, because he is light orange and as a kitten he had a grumpy face that reminded me of Chef Gordon Ramsay. He is almost two years old, small frame (8 lbs).  No health issues otherwise.

Thanks for any words of comfort or advice.

It could still be URI.  For now try putting him in a steamed up bathroom, that may help him feel better.  Is he still eating?  If not you need to try enticing him to eat.  You can trying warming his food so it smells more.  If you have chicken you could try boiling a chicken breast and see if he will eat that.  If you have tuna you can try that, if you have some parmesan cheese you can put some of that on his food.

Thank goodness he has already started the penicillin and had the shot, that should definitely help. If you have any L-lysine on hand it wouldn't hurt to give it to him (Ask your vet), it helps to build up the immune system. Ask the vet too about how much water, just make absolutely sure he doesn't choke it  down into his lungs, it can cause pneumonia. Squirt small amounts into the cheek, between the cheek and the teeth, not down the throat. Other liquids count too, would he take tuna juice on his own? One day isn't very long to know if the medication will work, I'd give it two or three. If it helps, I've had ferals recover from URI's on their own when I didn't thinks it was possible, they have a wonderful way of healing themselves. Bless you for your caring, good luck and I'll pray for his recovery.

He ate some turkey baby food, but then started grinding his teeth - the vet examined his teeth yesterday and they looked good, so maybe that is from dehydration?

I'm just glad he ate something and I hope the penicillin kicks in soon.

Oh what a tough situation to be in. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

Back in September I had two cats with bronchial pnuemonia.  They would not eat and were very sick. It took a few days for the antibiotics to make them feel better before they started to eat.  The kitten was about 6 weeks old and was down to weighing 8 ounces. She bounced back.  Be careful with force feeding because you dont want it getting in the lungs.  Use a vaporizer with menthol to help with the breathing.  Short increments throughout the day, put the cat and the vaporizer in a small space like a closet or bathroom.  When on antibiotics, patients usually start feeling better in about 48 hours.  Good luck and hope everything works out.

I'm happy to report that Ramsay has made a full recovery with the Penicillin. 

Happy for the good news