Am I just being paranoid?

First, a little background. Nearly a month ago, we lost our 16 year old cat. He was my baby and I was devastated. For the last 10 years of his life, he dealt with chronic ear issues. Countless rounds of antibiotics, ear drops, other medications and at least one procedure a year never fixed the problem. It was during a procedure last month that he died.

Fast forward to 10 days later and we are driving home with 2-6 month old strangers. Three weeks later it's like they've been here forever. I absolutely adore them. Although, I had forgotten what it was like to have a rambunctious kitten.

Here's where the paranoid part comes in. I have noticed the last few days that they are acting like my other cat when his problems would start. Sneezing, scratching, shaking their head, etc. Both of them. If it was just me, I would already have a vet appointment, but my husband thinks I'm being paranoid. When I took them for their wellness visit last week, he did say one of them was still teething, and that could cause sneezing. And maybe they aren't really scratching and shaking their head but once a day, but it's something I notice because I paid attention to it for 10 years. One thing that is different is that they are not vomiting like he did. He would vomit several times a day when he was having ear problems. Should I give it a few more days or just let it go?

I'm sorry for the loss of your 16 year old kitty and I can certainly understand your concerns for the new kittens. I lost my 17 year old kitty Tiger to pancreatic cancer(so I know about vomiting!!)  in July and adopted 2 new kittens in August, so I totally get you are concerned for the two little ones- I am the same way!  My two have been to the vet 3 times in under 2 months    I have not heard that teething causes sneezing, I would not hesitate to take them in for another check up if that and the head shaking continues, I don't think that is being paranoid at all! i don't think you can be too careful with kittens!

Bebe1977 said:

First, a little background. Nearly a month ago, we lost our 16 year old cat. He was my baby and I was devastated. For the last 10 years of his life, he dealt with chronic ear issues. Countless rounds of antibiotics, ear drops, other medications and at least one procedure a year never fixed the problem. It was during a procedure last month that he died.

Fast forward to 10 days later and we are driving home with 2-6 month old strangers. Three weeks later it's like they've been here forever. I absolutely adore them. Although, I had forgotten what it was like to have a rambunctious kitten.

Here's where the paranoid part comes in. I have noticed the last few days that they are acting like my other cat when his problems would start. Sneezing, scratching, shaking their head, etc. Both of them. If it was just me, I would already have a vet appointment, but my husband thinks I'm being paranoid. When I took them for their wellness visit last week, he did say one of them was still teething, and that could cause sneezing. And maybe they aren't really scratching and shaking their head but once a day, but it's something I notice because I paid attention to it for 10 years. One thing that is different is that they are not vomiting like he did. He would vomit several times a day when he was having ear problems. Should I give it a few more days or just let it go?

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I am also so sorry for your loss.  It' so hard to one you've been caring for for so long

But congrats on your two new ones!  Yes, nothing like a couple of rambunctious kittens to help us with our grieving.  They do have a way with wiggling their way into our hearts, dont' they? 

Now, as to their sneezing, etc.  I'm guessing you have peeked into their ears and not seen anything.  When you first described what's happening, I immediately thought - food.  Many cats react this way if they're allergic to their food.  What are you feeding them?  Kitten food, I'm guessing, but wet or dry?  It could be something in the food, especially if it's dry.  Not saying this is it, but it could be, especially if it doesn't cease soon, and their teething does, AND they don't have anything wrong with their ears. 

Hopefully it's just you being paranoid, which certainly no one would blame you for.  I am paranoid for all my cats just because of all the threads I read everyday here on TCS

I have finally convinced my husband that they should go to the vet just to get checked out. One of them does have a little bit of brown in his ear. It could just be earwax, but I would feel better having it checked.

Thanks for the advice, both of you.

As far as the food goes, we have just given them the free food we got when we adopted them, and are now using the free food we got when we took them to the vet the first time. We will need to buy more food tomorrow. It has all been dry food. I've never even thought about a cat being allergic to food. I'll keep an eye on it now.

I think what I am most worried about is there is something in my house that might be causing it. I guess we'll just get them an appointment, and go from there. I hope I'm worried for nothing.

Could be ear infection or ear mites -  I know that an ear infection or inner ear fluid imbalance can cause the earwax buildup.   But so can ear mites - ear mites will definitely have them shaking their heads and scratching at their ears.   If your new cats came from a shelter or rescue, they've probably been treated for mites already (if they were known to have them) but they might need a couple treatments in order to kill all the mites during their various lifecycles.   If it's ear mites, you might can see them moving around (yuck) and you might see the "dirt" they leave behind in the ear - like how you can see flea "dirt" in the fur of a cat that has fleas.

Good for you taking them to the vet - I'm sure they will be able to help!!

If you don't see anything at all in their ears, then I would start going down the "food allergy" route  -  some cats are way more sensitive to things like corn, wheat gluten, soy, carrageenan than others are.  Too bad it's not easier to get cat food that's just 100% meat huh?   All this extra crap in the food to worry about, it's mind boggling!  

Good luck with your two - it's really nice you adopted a pair, it's more fun for everybody!!

Bebe1977 said:

I have finally convinced my husband that they should go to the vet just to get checked out. One of them does have a little bit of brown in his ear. It could just be earwax, but I would feel better having it checked.

Thanks for the advice, both of you.

As far as the food goes, we have just given them the free food we got when we adopted them, and are now using the free food we got when we took them to the vet the first time. We will need to buy more food tomorrow. It has all been dry food. I've never even thought about a cat being allergic to food. I'll keep an eye on it now.

I think what I am most worried about is there is something in my house that might be causing it. I guess we'll just get them an appointment, and go from there. I hope I'm worried for nothing.

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You  will rest easier after getting them checked out-  Let us know how it goes!

When I adopted my two kittens, I was too quick to switch to wet food I fear!  My older kitty was diabetic, so it seemed wrong to feed dry. My little male kitten had runny poop for almost 2 months-before a friend suggested I changed food too quickly.  So I went and got Hills Kitten dry food that they got at the shelter and gradually am trying to transition him to wet Wellness  Core Kitten food. His poop is normal, finally!

They have an appointment for Friday afternoon. My husband usually makes the appointments, so I told him to just tell them I'm paranoid. He did that and told me they laughed. I'm sure I'm not the first paranoid pet parent (try saying that three times fast) they've dealt with and I'm sure I won't be the last.

I will definitely let you know how it goes.

I'm sorry for the loss of your older kitty.  Congratulations on your new additions!

You're not being paranoid!  It's very, very, very common for kitties to come down with an upper respiratory infection about 10-14 days after coming to their new home.  The stress of being in a new place with new people, new sounds, new noises, and a new routine can bring it on.  Glad they're getting to the vet!

So, went to the vet today. Of course, they are fine. He said they may have some allergies after moving to a new home, but their ears look fine. One of them does have a little wax, but it looks nothing like the chunky black stuff Skylar (my 16 year old) always had.

So, that's that. Now, I will find something else to worry about. [emoji]128518[/emoji]

I am so glad you got your kitties to the vet and they are fine. I can understand why you worry so much about them, especially after your loss of your previous cat. I am truly sorry about your loss.
I lost my cat to cancer about one year ago. I now have two new cats and I worry constantly. I am so afraid of losing them too, so I do understand your feelings of worry.
Just try to enjoy your kitties and know that you will love them and care for them always.
Try to remember your previous kitty with smiles, knowing that he will be with you always, safely tucked away in your heart.

So glad they are fine

(Better safe than sorry )