Possibly cat flu?

Hi guys,

I think Leo may have cat flu. When I picked him up, the vet gave me some eye ointment, saying he'd had a gunky eye and that if it came back to use it on him.

I was sitting with him just before and he is making a rasping sort of sound when he breathes. If he was a person, I'd say it sounds like someone who has mucus in the chest. I don't know what to do, I don't want Corty and Rascal getting sick.

I tried to call the vet I got him from, but they don't open again until Tuesday. I called the emergency vet number that was on their machine and the lady there said she thinks it sounds like cat flu, but that I need to get in touch with where I got him from!

He's also not willing to eat at the moment, although he seems to be drinking.......I'm worried, and I don't know what to do. It's been a long time since I've had baby kittens!

Any thoughts/advice?

He has a bad Upper respiratory infection. The term "cat flu" is a misnomer. He needs antibiotics to treat any secondary bacterial infections. The rasping sound may indicate its gotten to his lungs. If he's not eating he needs to be hand fed (force fed) using stage one baby food (chicken), but you need training for this.

I would immediately contact the place you got him from and ask for immediate support - they should provide meds and training on hand feeding. He cannot wait until tuesday to see a vet.

You might also read http://www.thecatsite.com/Cats/Cat_H...lter_cats.html (which I wrote).
Stephen

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for the info. I can't get in touch with anyone at the vet where I got him from, they are closed today due to the public holiday. Very limited vets are open here today. He is at the vet now. I wasn't able to get in touch with the vet that I got him from, so took him to the only one I could find open.

They said they needed to keep him in. At least overnight. The vet said that he sounds like he has a bad lung infection. Will keep you updated.