Upper Respiratory Infection

karrecat

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One of my students fell terribly ill a couple weeks ago and today asked me to "foster" her male kitten (Russian Blue/Maine Coon mix) while she is in the hospital for a couple months or so- she gave me consent to take him to the vet if needed and provide good care for him while she was gone. I took him home with hopes of starting introductions with my own cats but found that he was sneezing uncontrollably, had nasal discharge, and was very lethargic- otherwise, he is a sweetheart. Took him to the vet- he was diagnosed with a URI (Upper Respiratory Infection). I've heard of this disease but am still new to it as neither Bärli nor Lenya have had it before.

They gave him a high-powered antibiotic shot and checked him out for the usual feline issues (FeLV and FIV, both tested negative). Everything is fine. He gave me two meds (amoxycilin and a dark brown paste in a syringe). He's still congested but less so than before, and still sneezing. I'm taking her to the vet tomorrow if he does deteriorate.

He's in a nice warm room isolated from Lenya and Bärli (for obvious reasons). He has a vaporizer to help him breathe better, several cat trees, food/water/litter boxes, and several toys. He seems to be getting slightly better so DH and I are keeping a close eye on him but trying to make everything as comfortable and relaxing as possible.

The vet also gave us an appetite stimulant since he thinks that the kitten can't taste his food (it seems like the URI has been going on for a while now), but I can't get it down him. He sleeps a lot and is only "half-awake" when we go in to check on him.

I know it's only been 1 day, but it seems like the URI has been going on for several days. Is there anything else I can do to help him breathe easier and get the snot out?

I've never had to deal with this issue and I oh-so-dearly hope that this little kitten gets better soon. I've already taken him in as my own (for now) until my student gets well, which is also hopefully soon.

Thank you.

Karen
 

vball91

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An URI is fairly equivalent to a human cold or flu and is generally very treatable, especially if you catch it early. I think you are doing all the right things to help him recover quickly. A vaporizer/steamy bathroom will help with te congestion. I would definitely keep an eye on his eating and drinking because cats can definitely stop eating if they lose their ability to smell. You don't want the complication of fatty liver disease to develop on top of the URI. :( Also just keep an eye out for any signs of dehydration. You could try adding a little extra water or tuna water to his wet food.
 
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karrecat

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An URI is fairly equivalent to a human cold or flu and is generally very treatable, especially if you catch it early. I think you are doing all the right things to help him recover quickly. A vaporizer/steamy bathroom will help with te congestion. I would definitely keep an eye on his eating and drinking because cats can definitely stop eating if they lose their ability to smell. You don't want the complication of fatty liver disease to develop on top of the URI.
Also just keep an eye out for any signs of dehydration. You could try adding a little extra water or tuna water to his wet food.
Thank you for the quick response. He hasn't eaten and still has severe congestion and a lot of sneezing. I just force-fed him wet food with some extra water because he's too lethargic to get up. I've also force-fed him some water. He just keeps sleeping.  
 Lenya nearly got fatty liver disease last year and it was a nightmare.

I've scheduled a follow-up vet checkup for tomorrow morning. The meds seemed to have helped slightly.
 
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karrecat

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We went back to the vet today because Blitz's condition had deteriorated. He won't even respond to force feeding. 
 He's staying at the vet's for 3 nights while they give him sub-q fluids, more antibiotic shots, plus his meds. We dearly hope he improves.

Any vibes or advice would be appreciated. 
 
 

vball91

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Lots and lots of vibes for Blitz. He's getting the care he needs so hopefully he will recover soon.
 

stephanietx

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Most likely, the stress of his owner being ill followed by the stress of a new environment has really taxed his system.  Unfortunately, an URI is VERY common with kitties under stress and/or in new environments.  He may also be grieving since he doesn't know what's going on with his owner.  Is it possible to get something that smells like his owner, a dirty shirt or dirty towel?  The familiar scent of his owner will help him de-stress and bring him comfort.
 
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karrecat

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Most likely, the stress of his owner being ill followed by the stress of a new environment has really taxed his system.  Unfortunately, an URI is VERY common with kitties under stress and/or in new environments.  He may also be grieving since he doesn't know what's going on with his owner.  Is it possible to get something that smells like his owner, a dirty shirt or dirty towel?  The familiar scent of his owner will help him de-stress and bring him comfort.
Thank you for the advice.


We were thinking the exact same thing – DH visited my student (in the hospital) and she was kind enough to lend him Blitz’s fluffy pink blanket from home which he frequently slept on. DH drove to the vet and dropped off the blanket; the vet assured that it would be close to Blitz at all times. We do think that stress played a major factor in the severity of the URI. Hopefully he and his owner both recover quickly and smoothly.

Thank you again.
 
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karrecat

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UPDATE: I called the vet this morning. He says that Blitz's congestion is doing slightly better- he will be there for 2 more nights with the sub q fluids.
 

stephanietx

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Good job!!  Glad to hear he's doing better.  Also glad he's at the vet and receiving care and that you're getting updates. You also might want to ask the vet if you can come visit as he won't feel so abandoned.  Hannah was at the vet for a week after we adopted her and I went to visit her every day.  They said it was the only time she ate well.  They'd bring her in and put her on the table.  They'd then set down a dish with a can of cat food in it and she'd eat most of it.  Then after a little love session, she'd curl up and sleep snuggled in my arms on the table.
 

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Glad to hear that Blitz is doing better. In response to your first post- you are doing everything right- I also used a vaporizer when my Avril came in as a kitten with URI. 


A visit to the vet, like stephanietx suggested, would help with Blitz's stress (which he is likely undergoing in response to another new environment). Hopefully he's feeling a little at home with the pink blanket, though.

Vibes to Blitz and your student. 
 
 
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karrecat

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Thank you @Silcat  and @stephanietx  for the advice and support. DH and I are visiting Blitz tomorrow morning at the vet's. He is still taking sub q fluids and the antibiotic shots, but he is still having to be force fed.
 

stephanietx

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My heart just goes out to Blitz.  He's been through so much and you're doing all the right things for him.  I really hope he turns the corner soon and starts eating so he can come home and finish getting well.
 

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I hope Blitz is doing better.  I'm really sorry you have to go through all this.  My cat has the same thing right now so I know how stressful it can be. 
 
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karrecat

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Thank you all for the support. 


The vet said he's doing better - he ate by himself last night, but only a tiny bit and still had to be syringe-fed quite a bit. We did pay him a visit and he just melted into my arms right when he saw my husband and me. 
 I almost cried.

His congestion is improving day by day but as I said before he still can't really taste his food. Hopefully this is his last night at the vet's and then tomorrow he can come home.

@Silcat  My student was diagnosed with acute leukemia - we are praying for her every day as well.
 

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So happy to hear he's doing better! 

This is probably common knowledge but I was told to pick the stinkiest cat foods you can find and then microwave them so the smell comes out more.  I guess it helps to stimulate the appetite of cats with upper respiratory issues. 
 

stephanietx

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Sounds like he's moving in the right direction!  Is there an update today?  (I hate to keep bugging you, but I want him better and at home with you.)
 

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Wow, how lucky this person is to have someone like you taking such good care of her cat while she is in the hospital.

Cheers!
 

cprcheetah

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Bless you for taking care of this little kitty.  My Munchie is battling a chronic sinus infection, he got to where he didn't want to eat because he was so congested, it was horrible.  We eventually had to sedate him and do a nasal flush and then he is on long term antibiotics (Zithromycin) as well as a few homeopathic/natural meds.
 
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karrecat

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Thank you all for the support. 


Blitz came home today!  


His congestion is so much better and he's eating normally again. We're continuing the amoxycilin for a couple more days until the sniffling (which is minimal now) fully stops.

Thank you everyone!
 We are still (of course) keeping him separated from our other cats for now but after a couple weeks are planning on starting introductions. 
 
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