What could this be???

So, I've left a message with the vet to get Leo in tomorrow, but I wanted to see if anyone here had any insight.

He's got a little bit of clear discharge from his eyes, his temp's around 102 (which, he didn't really appreciate having taken) and he's a little bit lethargic, although he and Lola were plaing chase this morning. He's still eating (albeit a tad less than he normally does) and using the LB and drinking water, BUT, he sounds quite congested. When he purrs, it sounds like there's a lot of stuff bubbling aroung in there and when he meows, it seems a little lower, kind of how when we get colds, sometimes our voice lowers. His breathing has a little bit of a whistle to it. He's not as affectionate or responding to attention as muchas he normally does.

Am I just looking at a little viral cold thingy, or could there be something worse happening here?

I don't know, Allie, but little Leo is in my thoughts...How old is he?
I hope its a temporary virus...Could he have gotten into anything that made him have a reaction?

I don't know but I would vote for it being a little kitty cold. Keep us posted after his visit tomorrow, hopefully it's nothing more than a mild cold.

The symptoms you are describing are similar to what Buster had at the beginning of the summer..."cat flu".

Buster was running 104 and wheezed when he slept with deep breathing. He did eat & drink but was very lethargic and layed in his "sad spot". (I have a chair tucked under a table & whenever he is sad about something, he seems to go hide there).

He was immediately put on antiobiotics and within 24-hours, he seemed cooler to the touch, his third eyelid disappeared and he didn't go to his "sad spot"

I would definitely get him to your vet. as soon as you can. Hope Leo feels better and all goes well with the vet.

I agree sounds like a little cold. we got em here too..well only two left...and they are in quarentine.

A vaporizer can help with the congestion. If you don't have a vaporizer, at least take him into the bathroom whenever anyone showers, so he can get the extra moisture. Try to keep him eating and drinking some, even if you need to entice him with plain cooked chicken or tuna mixed into his food.

Originally Posted by Loveysmummy

I don't know, Allie, but little Leo is in my thoughts...How old is he?
I hope its a temporary virus...Could he have gotten into anything that made him have a reaction?

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Leo just turned 4. I keep all of my odd n' ends locked away in a cabinet with a latch so my babies can't get in...even though I only use naturally derived non-toxic things around my house, and I certainly keep all of the people food the kitties are allergic to under lock and key...there's even a list up in my kitchen on the fridge so everyone who passes through this way knows! (they all think I'm crazy, but hey! at least my babies are safe). But you know how cats are...I'm sure hoping there's nothing he got into!

Thanks everyone for all of your good thoughts! I sincerely hope I can get my baby in early tomorrow and get this sorted out, and I hope it's just a cold or flu thing that can be cleared up with simple meds and that it's nothing that could be serious. He ate moost of his chicken and had some more water, so at least he's eating and drinking

He's taking a little rest right now and he's separate from his baby sister (who is sitting by the door of my bedroom, quite concerned as she is ), so at least I only have one sick kitty

Thanks everyone!

My cats love the smell of VIcks Vap-O-Rub, and it helps relieve them when they get congested. It might help Leo if you can get him to sniff it. I hope your baby is better soon.

Originally Posted by krazy kat2

My cats love the smell of VIcks Vap-O-Rub, and it helps relieve them when they get congested. It might help Leo if you can get him to sniff it. I hope your baby is better soon.

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I agree with everyone... sounds like a kitty cold. I used the Vicks plug-in in the room Sara was sleeping in and I really think it helped her breathe better!

I hope he gets better soon!

At this time, it sounds as though your cat is dealing with a viral upper respiratory infection as you are not describing yellow or green discharge. If this is the case, then antibiotics are contraindicated. Antibiotics can only work on a bacterial infection, not a virus.

Many vets will give antibiotics to people to give to their cats simply to make the owners happy. They will say that it is to prevent a secondary infection, but this is a crock because antibiotics do not work as a prophalactic measure. Bloodwork must be drawn to determine whether there is any bacterial infection going on.

What you baby really needs at this moment is, as recommended above, Vicks Vaporub in a vaporizer or, if not available, even taking your cat into the bathroom, shutting the door and running a hot shower for a while to humidify the area. I hope your baby is feeling well soon.

Barb A.