My cat has an URI and...???

Question

My cat has an URI, just went to the vet this morning, she started taking antibiotics but she has trouble breathing through her nose! It's really bad, I have a humidifier and it doesn't help. What can I do to help her until the antibiotics start to work?? She can't eat because her nose is clogged!!

She was spayed last week and she is 10 months old!!

Answer 1

When I picked up Alex he had developed URI bad within the first few days. I do have to say though that he ate like a monster and still does. He was sneezing all the time and could hardly breath - he was even sneezing blood sometimes. I had a heck of a time getting the medicine down his throat too but it did help and it lasted almost a week. He was very young though and bounced right back. I recently introduced another cat (3 yrs) to the house and she got it when i brought her home. She on the other hand became very dehydrated, never ate, so I brought her to the vet and she had to be force-fed along with fluids. Bottom line is you should keep a very close eye on them for dehydration - but ultimately, you have to let it take its course - there is nothing you can do. It is just like when you get a nasty cold...

couple of hints: administer the medicine very quick...as soon as they open their mouth just squirt it in as fast as you can; just wipe it off the hair asap otherwise it'll stick to it forever!

also, run the shower really hot and then walk in the bathroom with the cat - stay in there for 10 min or so...this helps clear their nose as well.

good luck... J

Answer 2

Depends how old the cat is. Cats only eat what smells like food to them. If they can't smell, they don't eat. Young kittens need to eat and can starve or dehydrate if they go for more than 3 days without eating. Older cats can tolerate it a little longer, especially if they have some pudge to burn. I had to have my kitten get fluids injected into her skin, until she got better enough to eat on her own. I doubt the antibiotics are even necessary, and I also bet you are having some fun trying to get them down her. Check her litter box for use to see if she is making urine. If it looks like less than usual, she may need the injected fluids. And that is not really a big deal for the vet to do, and it doesn't bother the cat, but can really make a difference in her weathering out the virus.

Answer 3

I don't understand what a clogged nose has to do with a URI. You should call your vet - they will probably let you come back for free if you were just there this morning.

Answer 4

If your cat has a viral infection the antibiotics are not going to affect that at all.

You MUST keep in touch with her vet. When she can't breathe freely she may stop eating and that's very dangerous for her.

Answer 5

the vet should of picked up on her breathing and her congested nose. sounds abit like feline influenza (cat flu), the vet should of noticed if present but she needs to be seen again if not already picked up on.
until then;
try using a cloth with olbas oil sprinkled on - this will help her breath and offer the smelliest food you can find. cats wont eat if cant smell the food. also slight warming of the foods helps the cat smell it.

qualified veterinary nurse UK

Answer 6

those illnesses are air borne, and the germs can get on you as properly. Wash your palms after coping with the kitten, and you will shrink the threat. Are your cats up as much as now on their vaccines? that could help as properly. So does wedging a towel interior the crack between the bathing room door and the floor. be sure to wipe each and everything interior the bathing room down with 10% bleach answer as quickly as the kitten is going abode.