Cat with URI not eating-how long for meds to work?

ty3535

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My 8 year old kitty has his first URI (we recently adopted a kitten that had a URI and sadly had to be put to sleep). He's not eating and is lethargic. We were given an appetite stimulant that doesn't seem to be working although I'm not sure how long they need to take affect? Also he was given antibiotics (injection) yesterday and I'm wondering how long I can expect to wait until those work.
 

hexiesfriend

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I'd give it until tomorrow morning. If he's still stuffy he may need a steroid injection to clear him up better that's what happened with mine. The injection can also make them groggy as well so they won't eat much. Is he at least drinking water?
 
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ty3535

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It's hard to tell because he's a night drinker and usually a night eater. I spoke to the vet tonight and she said he might need a higher dose of the appetite stimulant. I'm hoping he eats tonight and it's a moot point but I'm glad to know going up in dosage is an option. She did say the antibiotic could take 2-3 days to work and he just had it yesterday so I'll keep my fingers crossed.
 
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ty3535

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He actually doesn't sound or seem stuffy-no discharge and his nose isn't runny, just the sporadic sneeze.
 

hexiesfriend

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it could just be he's not feeling too well and just needs a couple days rest to get his appetite back. If they're stuffy they can't smell their food and need a boost. He's sneezing to clear his nose so he's probably stuffy too. He's young he'll bounce back!!!
 
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ty3535

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I hope so! I hate seeing him not eat. Maybe I'll try warm baby food?
 

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I hope so! I hate seeing him not eat. Maybe I'll try warm baby food?
Meat baby foods are good. You could also try warming up tuna or canned cat food. The stinkier the better!

How long has it been since he ate?
 
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ty3535

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He ate late last night, so we're going to wake him up and try to get him to eat around 12- if he doesn't I'm considering force feeding with a syringe. I know how dangerous it is when cats don't eat.
 

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If he ate a decent amount last night, you probably don't need to worry about force feeding him until tomorrow. Hopefully you can get him to eat something soft and yummy! 

If you do end up force feeding him tonight or tomorrow, you might look into getting a can of A/D food from your vet. It's critical care food, so it's meant to be delicious and much easier to get into a syringe than normal canned foods.

Good luck!
 
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ty3535

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Thank you! He only ate about 1/2 of a small can last night so I'm concerned he hasn't had enough. I'd love to be able to wait to see if he eats on his own overnight but I'm scared to let him go too long without food. I'll ask the vet tomorrow about getting a few cans of that if it looks like I'll need to feed him for a few days.
 
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ty3535

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Well Enzo still isn't eating-he did eat a small amount last night which made me hopeful for today. But he woke up stuffier than yesterday. There's a humidifier in the room where he spends most of his time but it doesn't seem to be making a difference. From everything I've read about URI's this is par for the course and nothing too serious, but I can't help but worry.
 

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The antibiotics really should be kicking in at this point and he shouldn't be that stuffy, does he seem to getting better at all? He's eating some so that's good. But day 3 on antibiotics his stuffiness should be getting better.
 
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ty3535

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He seems stuffier today then yesterday. I asked the vet and she also said three days, tomorrow will be the third day. I'm getting worried. We have appetite stimulant pills that we'll be giving him tonight and the vet did prescribe an additional antibiotic that we can administer at home if necessary.
 
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