URIs

Don't know if this particular thread exist, so apologize for starting another one if it does. We have been rescuing kitties for many years. Presently we have 12 inside, ranging in age from 2 yrs yo 13 yrs. All are altered and have never been ill. Suddenly, the whole household has come down with colds. More than half were vaccinated, but we simply didn't have the income to do the last ones after I became very ill and disabled. These cats never go outside, btw. There are 10 more outside, all of which were fixed until the last 4, who showed up unexpectedly. Too young at present to have the surgery. None of the outside babies are sick.First time we've ever dealt with any illness, so we have been very fortunate. From alot of research, it's my understanding there's not alot that can be done, kinda like with the human cold. The first 3 to get sick are already well, but older ones are taking much longer. Would appreciate any info from others who might have gone through this

There are lots of thread about URI, but it's no problem to start up your own.  Really, we need to know what YOUR questions are about it.  Are all of the ones still ill eating on their own?  Are they coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, what's happening with them?  If we know their issues, it's easier to try to help you.

In the meantime, maybe something in this thread will be of help:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/323182/advice-on-long-lasting-uri-please

Tysm for your response, Mrsgreenjeens. Guess I was a little vague. This am we took our youngest (and smallest) to vet. Did diagnose with URI and sent us home with antibiotics for her and lysine supplements for rest. Everybody, except Baby seems fine tonight. Baby is 2 yrs old, but never grew any bigger than most kittens. Been very healthy until this. She's such a little trooper that I'm sure she'll be fine. Watching everybody carefully. All are eating well, so hopefully

Always send before finished . Anyway, we think all the big guys and girls are much better. No one coughing or sneezing any longer. As I said before, with this many, we have been so fortunate with no illness. Agin, ty much for responding

I've just had this with my two kitties. I believe Mingo was exposed at the vet's office when they had to sedate him for another exam. He was extremely sick with the URI for three weeks. The vet gave him some Cerenia, which is for nausea (he was so sick he was coughing and vomiting), and happily, the Cerenia also acts as a decongestant, so it helped to open his nasal passages and sinuses. My other kitty only had the cold for a week and was nowhere near as sick as Mingo was.

There have been other comments about URIs recently on the site, and I believe something is going around. Someone in your household, maybe the new ones, must have brought it in. My kitties are indoor-only too, so the only way Mingo could have gotten it was at the vet's.

If you have some kitties that get extremely congested and start coughing, you might also ask the vet about Cerenia. It really helped Mingo.

Thanks so much, DreamerRose. Most of the furkids are doing well, except for our tiny Baby, 3 yrs old but size of a kitten. On antibiotics and all others getting lysine. All sneezing has disappeared and no one ever really had nasal discharge.old babies have taken longer than younger ones. But younger ones are big enough to saddle and ride . Thanks again, I so appreciate the folks on here.

Forgot to ask, did you try to forcefeed your sick babies? This little gal usually eats like a horse, but certzinly not now. TIA

No, I didn't force feed. Mingo usually has a good appetite, but in the second week, he did start eating less and less. Everybody here on the site (I am grateful for the help here too!) suggests something smelly, like tuna, to keep them eating. So that's what I did. I got tuna and salmon flavored Fancy Feast and gave him that. He did eat some of it, but nowhere near the amount he usually eats. I also added water to his food because he needed extra fluids with the congestion. When he recovered, it was obvious that he had lost a lot of weight, so I increased his food to all he would eat. But he's never overeaten, so he's been slow in regaining the weight.

Thanks. Decided not to force feed Baby. Giving meds a chance to work. Do encourage her water intake and giving her lots of tlc.

Try heating up the stinkiest food you can find (fishy foods).  That will make it even stinkier!) 

Also, if Baby is extremely congested, try putting her in a steamy bathroom which should help break up some of the congestion, which might help her be able to smell better

Have heated food, but she's still not hungry. Will try the steam. She seems a bit perkier today, so maybe on her way to recovery. She might have recovered on her own, but didn't want to take a chance. Really appreciate your input

The TLC is really important. Mingo appreciated the extra attention I gave him, and I believe it helped him recover.

I remember a little over 2 years ago when My Apollo had a URI. He never stopped eating but he was really sneezy. He does not like to be picked up and carried around but I decided he was getting a steam treatment after he decided to sneeze in my face. He fought me bringing him into the bathroom but settled down once he was in there. He decided on his own the steam treatments were good for him. He proceeded to demand steam treatments every time me or hubby went into the bathroom. When he felt better he stopped asking for steam treatments. He also became my lap buddy while he was sick. The extra cuddle time seemed to help him sleep.

Love hearing about your little Apollo. Will be trying this with Baby in a few minutes after everybody gets dinner. I really appreciate your response. Afraid I've been lax in my attention to this grest site. With 27 cats (in and out), I haven't found much time to get online. Trying to improve