I don't know what to do

Hi :-) My name is Kitty (ironic, huh?) and I'm new here. I have concerns with my kitten. She was found on the side of the road and I decided to keep her and the other kitten she was found with.

Not long ago we had her spayed at a clinic and she came home with an infection. We took her to the vet where she was given an anti-vomiting treatment and a round of antibiotics as well as a 3 day round of fever pills. The difference in her attitude is phenomenal! However, ever since her return home she has had a dry cough and now she vomits after eating. I'm so confused because she acts just like normal?? Her eyes are bright, she loves to play and tumble, she sleeps normally, she drinks water, and she still eats but sometimes she'll throw it up before it's digested. I say sometimes because she can occasionally go quite a few days without doing it.

I want to take her to the vet but I just can't afford it. Between med school and still paying for their visits and surgeries I'm drained. :-( I don't have a job so I cannot get a credit card. I really just want her to be all better again. I know she feels well (probably) but vomiting and coughing can't be normal. Should I maybe see if it passes or try switching her to a blander diet for the time being? I just don't know what to do. Just a month before we were blessed with her, we lost a 4 month old kitten to FIV so naturally I'm terrified.

The sneezing is probably a kitty cold (URI.) They are SUPER common when you first bring a cat home. The change in environment brings it on. The vet will usually give you antibiotics for it. It's usually followed by eye discharge. Is she still on antibiotics? If so it might just not be 100% cleared up yet. If she continues to sneeze or gets eye gunk/mucus, you might be able to call the vet and have him send in a prescription over the phone if you're sure that it's just a URI.

Was the kitten tested for FeLV and FIV at the vet? It's a good idea to get her tested if she hasn't been.

And the most common reason for a cat throwing up undigested food is eating too quickly. Especially in rescue kittens, like yours. It might seem to her like every meal might be her last so she has to scarf it down. Try putting her food on a dish and putting a golf ball in the middle so she has to eat around it and takes more time to finish. 

Good luck!

Thanks so much for your reply! Yes, I had her tested for both and she tested negative for both. Her eyes are clear and bright and she isn't sneezing. The only problem (other than vomiting) is a dry cough.

Good idea about the golf ball! I gave her some more dry food and she threw it right up. I tried again and watched her this time. She was swallowing most of it without even chewing! It's very perplexing as she's never done this before. Maybe it's because she's teething and her teeth hurt? So I got some dry food and moistened it with water. She's kept it down so far. 

Oops sorry, I read "cough" as "sneeze." :doh3:

It may still be a URI. Or feline asthma. Do a little research on that, and see if the sympthoms match. It can be brought on by dust, liter box dust, smoke, etc...

It might also be throat irritation. She may have scratched her throat wolfing down that dry kibble.

It's best not to wet dry kibble if you don't have to, or don't leave it sitting out for longer than it takes her to eat. Dry food can grow bacteria when wet. Have you tried canned food at all? It may slow her eating down, and give her throat some moisture and something soft. Fancy Feast classics are a great starter wet food. Many cats love them.

Hehe, it's okay! 

We do have a German Shepherd in the house, he sheds like absolute mad so dust and dandruff I'm sure collect on EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, having only one symptoms other than the vomiting, it's way too soon to tell. I did find something about them having allergies. I will try keeping an eye on her to make sure she doesn't wriggle anywhere that may be dusty.

As I said her cough developed once she returned home from her surgery. Perhaps the breathing tube irritated it and swallowing whole dry kibble is keeping it irritated? 

As for wet food, I gave her some and she vomited it right up. Being the dedicated owner I am, I immediately picked it up and sifted through it. (So gross by the way) And that's when I discovered that the treats I gave her earlier were nearly whole, and some of the dry kibbles appeared as though they hadn't been chewed at all. That is when I gave her some warm moistened dry food. I only gave her a tiny bit as I didn't want her to eat too much and further provoke nausea.

I will be attending a few classes on campus Thursday and will definitely pick her up some wet food! Do you have any recommendation for very gentle food other than FFC?