Is my kitten sick?

Question

For any of you that have a kitten or cat, my little one keeps sneezing. I just noticed it a few days ago. His nose gets wet sometimes too. He is still eating like normal and playing like normal, he just keeps sneezing. When he does, he sprays me with his sneeze. I can't afford to bring him to the vet right now. What should I do? Is he sick or what?

I keep him indoors and I adopted him from a shelter. He had all of his shots and he was fixed before we got him. I am not sure if they checked for those two felv and the other thing. He is about 3 1/2 months old. He is still really playful though. Right now he is slapping around a medicine bottle with marbles in it. He likes the noise. He still wakes me up every morning at 7 to feed him. He knows when to eat. It's cute. At 5 in the evening, he goes to his bowl and meows until I feed him. Also, how much is it to take him just for a check up to the vet? I didn't mean I can't ever take him to a vet, I just can't until I get paid on the 15th.

He's not snotty and he doesn't have green stuff in his eyes. I wonder if it may be because the litter I have for him is a little dusty? He will get up and play for about an hour and then sleep for an hour and go back and forth. He feels a little warm and I am not sure if it's because I am looking for something like that or just because I never noticed it before. Normally, I could afford to take him to the vet, but right now my husband and I kinda hit a rough spot with money and should be fine next month. I don't want anyone to think that I couldn't afford him from the start because we could. We just had some stuff come up and now are very low on funds. Like I said, next month will be ok. He only sneezes every couple hours, not constantly.

Answer 1

You are in the same situation that I was in with my 5 month old kitten. I adopted her from a shelter and she still ate everything I gave her (Purina Kitten Chow), drank her water, and went to the bathroom regularly. She played like she was supposed to. She had normal kitten energy and seemed okay.

But.. she was sneezing all of the time. Kittens contract URI's from different shelter kittens. My kitten had a URI which is why she was sneezing. She had a runny nose and had trouble sleeping at night. She sounded like she was snoring. I ended up keeping her next to me at night to make sure she was okay. I adopted her on a Saturday in November and got her into the vets Monday night. They gave me Clavamox (antibiotic in kitten dosages) and that seemed to help for alittle bit but it didn't clear it up. I took her back to the vets and they gave me Zithromax (kitten dosages again) to give to her and that helped her with her cold and she no longer has it. It went away about two weeks ago I would say. She has an ear infection too so she has ear drops and the vet gave me some nutritional supplements to give to her as well as eye drops (given every 8 hours) for her eyes because of the cold.

In the beginning she sneezed very little. It was on and off and then one day, it was constant. So even if your kitten sneezes very little right now, it will become worse if not treated. I thought my kitten was sneezing because of the litter too but whenever she and I would be upstairs (where my computer room is), she would still be sneezing. Her eyes weren't really watery from what I could tell but she was sneezing way too much.

I would still say get the kitten to your vet. Ask them how they have payments because the vet I go to, they send out a bill or you pay upfront on that day. You can explain that you are very worried about your kitten's health but that you cannot afford to pay for the visit upfront and ask if you can pay say $10 a month until you pay it off or see what they do about those situations. Make sure you go to someone you like though for your kitten. It doesn't hurt to ask, especially when it comes to a kitten's health as they are still very little and their immune systems haven't built up quite as well yet.

I gave my kitten several baths as well because whenever she would sneeze, it would get on her. They say people should always take extra showers or baths because it helps you feel better and it seemed to help her out alittle bit and she was smelling very fresh and clean!

I hope some of this information has helped and has been somewhat encouraging. So tomorrow morning, go call up your vet and see what they say about payments for you and their options in that area and then make an appointment for your kitten. If you end up going to the doctor, ask about Zithromax over Clavamox because Clavamox didn't help clear it up while Zithromax (and it was normal human medicine in a kitten size dosage.. about 1/2mL I had to give her).. I hope she feels better and my kitten sends her wishes as well!

:)

Answer 2

Well, is he snotty? Does he have green goo around his eyes? If so, he probably has an upper respiratory infection. Pretty much, it's a cold. It's very common in kittens, especially from shelters. The thing about URIs, my vet tells me, is they can go either way: they can go away in a week or so like a common cold, or they can get worse and be really bad for the cat. Especially kittens.

My kitten sneezed a lot when I got him too, and my vet gave him antibiotics but I'm pretty sure he would have been fine without them. However, your cat may or may not have a more serious infection, and you won't know unless you get him checked out. If you really can't afford taking your cat to the vet, try calling the shelter, they might have some low-cost solutions to getting him better.

But sweetie, to be completely honest, when you get a new kitten, you really should be prepared for the costs associated with him: shots, medications, blood tests, neutering, food, toys, scratching posts, etc. I've heard it can cost up to $1,000 for the first year of having a cat, and I believe it. Next time you get a new animal, make sure you have the cashflow to get him to the vet when he needs it.

So anyway, just watch him closely. Make sure he eats, drinks, plays, and isn't lethargic or hides from you. Also, make sure he pees and poops and that his poo is not loose. It might just go away in a few days. Good luck.

Answer 3

I adopted my kitten from the human society when he was 2 months old. He started sneezing a lot. I thought he might have allergies. When he started getting one eye watering, then one ear started turning down and in, and my old roommate said he had a fever. They told me over the phone he probably had an ear infection or sinus infection. I had to take him to the vet. I was devastated when they told me just by taking a look at him he either had chlymidia or herpes. They tested him and he has Herpes! Imagine that. They said 99% of the cats have it and when they are in the shelter they get it very easily as it is very contagious among kitties, not to humans or dogs. Mine just has to have to show the symptoms that most to not show. I have to give him 2 medicines now, one daily and one every other week. I will pray your kitten doesn't have the same thing mine has. Herpes in kittens is not the same as it is in humans. In kitties, it makes them have upper respiratory infections a lot more. He had to go on antibiotics to get rid of the infection and now he recently had another problem and now I have to give him a laxitive every 3 or 4 days. I don't know If I would ever adopt from the human society again. My kitten is 8 months old almost and costing me a fortune. I couldn't give him back now because he is use to me. Did you adopt him? If you did, the place should give you a free visit to a vet. You could always just call a vet to see what they say over the phone. Best wishes to you and your kitty. I have to give my kitty Lysene and break it up on his food. It is like a vitamine to help suppress his virus. Maybe the vet can suggest something over the phone until you can get your kitty to the vet.

Answer 4

I believe a cat should always have a wet nose. However he shouldn't be spraying you when he sneezes. Going to a vet is always expensive, I understand. Your kitten might be ill though and need some help to feel better. Some vets have payment plans you might want to look into that. Has your baby been to a vet before? because he should be tested for Felv and Fiv and checked for an upper respiratory infection. His sneezing might be nothing, could be allergies, or could be serious and unfortunately it so so hard and next to impossibly for us to know with out medical help. Is he eating? do you keep him indoors? If he is kept indoors and eating maybe give him a day or too to see if it will clear on it's own. Cats can get colds and maybe it just needs to run it's coarse. Good luck!

Answer 5

Keep a good eye on your kitten they catch colds just like we do. But strart saving now because the kitten will need to see a vet for all of his shots and sometimes they pick up respiratory sicknesses when they were with other cats so you'll need to have the cat checked no matter what. I would also call a vets office to see if they can recommend anything for the kitten and some of might set up a payment plan. Try a few different ones Good luck

Answer 6

That's not a good thing to just let go. I would definitely call your vet. See if they will make payment arrangements. It can be several different things. Sneezing can be just the beginning of a serious illness or health problem. Only a vet will know for certain.

If you have a regular vet most of them will work with you on payment arrangements, so long as you have been good about past bills. It can't hurt to ask.

This is what I found on the site listed below:

"I would watch her for a few days. If she shows any other symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, such as watery eyes, snuffling or coughing, or if she continues sneezing after you've eliminated spraying, she really should be seen by your veterinarian."

Hope this helps you

Answer 7

I have (and have had) many cats, and let me say that I am no stranger to them having this sickness! Actually, it's really just allergies. Rubbing their eyes gently with a slightly warm damp rag to remove all that **** should work. Other than that, they're just a little sneezy and it's nothing to worry about. If your mom is ready to give them away, you should listen to her. Most likely, the kittens will go to a loving family who's been waiting for some kittens for some time! Don't think that most people don't take care of their kitties. Just remember, if they want them, they love them. Good luck!

Answer 8

You need to find the money to take him to a vet. Sneezing is a sign of an upper respiratory infection and can eventually cause serious problems, including death. Also, has your kitten been vaccinated? There are several diseases that cause sneezing that can also be deadly. All it takes is for you to bring it in the house on your clothing and your cat can catch any of MANY viruses/diseases. I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but it is fact.

Answer 9

Your cat could very well have an upper respiratory infection and need antibiotics. Maybe your vet could arrange a payment plan. If it's only been a few days, then maybe the problem will go away. If it tends to be a long-term problem, then the cat will definitely need medication.

Answer 10

If your kitten is new, then it's perfectly normal for it to sneeze. It's just getting used to your home. I have a kitten, 3 months old which always has a runny nose. You may wanna CALL a vet and ask about your cat instead of going there...thats what i always do