Stray Kitten Wheezing But Otherwise Normal

I'm hoping someone can offer up some advice about a stray kitten that showed up last night. I'd say it's maybe a few months old. At first it appeared healthy - clear eyes, friendly (but ornery enough that I'm sure he's feral), energetic (follows us and our dog everywhere in the yard). We have five cats of our own, but I managed to talk my husband into taking him in and keeping him quarantined in the basement until we could get him vetted. When I went back out to get him, I noticed that he wheezes when he purrs, and when he jumps down from somewhere, you can hear the air push from his lungs. Even though he doesn't show any other upper respiratory signs, I decided I couldn't risk bringing him into the house if he could potentially be sick. My oldest is 17 and has a host of health issues, and I've had her since 3 1/2 weeks when (you guessed it!) she showed up at my house and I rescued her. So I made this little guy a bed in a protected area and gave him some wet food. He ate about 6 oz with gusto, so he was pretty hungry. This morning he was waiting on the doorstep all bright eyed. I took him out some food, and after he got what he considered enough loving, he went ahead and started to eat. He wheezes so much when he's eating, but again no gunky eyes, no runny nose, no coughing, no gagging - just wheezing in an otherwise normal kitten. Any idea what's going on?

I want to get him help, but our dog is having surgery tomorrow so our "vet money" is totally tied up right now. Any advice, suggestions, ideas about what could be happening with this little guy would be appreciated.

Thank you!

I'm betting that you are dealing with an Upper Respiratory Infection, and that it just will NOT get better on its own.  Although the lack of other usual symptoms is a bit puzzling.  I'd recommend asking the vet about it when you take your dog in, explain the situation, and get their recommendation.  Sorry I can't do better than that, but if this is your regular vet, they MAY be willing to work with you on this.

Mamanyt1953 said:

 
I'm betting that you are dealing with an Upper Respiratory Infection, and that it just will NOT get better on its own.  Although the lack of other usual symptoms is a bit puzzling.  I'd recommend asking the vet about it when you take your dog in, explain the situation, and get their recommendation.  Sorry I can't do better than that, but if this is your regular vet, they MAY be willing to work with you on this.

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Thank you so much for responding. That's what has me puzzled, too - the lack of other symptoms. I mean, not even a HINT of other symptoms! I've had multiple cats for 25 years, and I've never had one present with a upper respiratory infection without some kind of gunk. I'm kind of wondering if maybe the poor guy was injured as a much smaller kitten and has otherwise healed. 

I'll talk to the vet tech in the morning to see what they suggest, and then check with the vet when I pick up the pooch. A couple neighbors are taking care of him, too, so I feel certain we can get this little guy fixed up (and through the TNR system). 

Thanks, again! 

Now there's a thought...If you have a good TNR system, they should do at least a basic health check on him when they neuter.