I found a kitten that is sneezing and wheezing. Is there anything I can do?

Question

I found a kitten and am trying to save it. I do not have the money for a vet bill. The kitten has no appetite and is sneezing and wheezing. Snores when sleeping.

Answer 1

if you dont plan to keep said kitten take it to the SPCA and explain your situation. They'll help the kitten and give it a loving home

Answer 2

Sorry, honey, but part of being a responsible pet owner is that you are legally obligated to take care of its health needs.
A found kitten that sneezes and wheezes MAY have a contagious disease, and you not only are prolonging its health problems, but you could be spreading contagion through the whole neighborhood.
If you can't pay for a vet, you can't afford to have one.
Call the local animal control officer and report the found kitten. What if someone is looking for it? What if it makes your family sick?
The Society for prevention of Cruelty to Animals will help animal lovers keep their pets, but you MUST get a sick cat taken care of by a veterinarian.
You can face a fine and /or jail if you do not.
Please call- I am enclosing a link.
You have a good heart- do the right thing! If she is meant to be your pet, it will work out for the best.

Answer 3

Do you know how old the kitten is? If weaned while too young it's immune system hasn't built up because that happens through the mother's milk. Almost all kittens get viral infections, but that doesn't mean it isn't serious. The biggest concern right now is it's lack of appetite. Go to a PetSmart and get a formula that is made just for kittens and see if that will entice it a bit. Then, take it from there; good luck to you both! (Do NOT give it regular cow's milk.)

Answer 4

Try a pet store, like petco or Petsmart. They see animals all the time and can probably give you an over the counter medicine for a kitten like they have over the counter for humans. Also you probably need to get kitten replacement milk, who knows how long the poor thing has been without proper nutrition. Neither replacement formula nor kitten cold medicine are nearly as expensive as a vet.

(I don't understand how much help it is for people to say "go to a vet" when you specifically said you can't afford a vet, or to say "let it die" what kind of person SAYS that?!??!)

Answer 5

He may have a Upper Respiratory Infection he needs to see a vet asap. If he isn't eating then he needs to see the vet like yesterday. He could have a very serious illness that could be contagious to other cats go to a humane society or find a rescue in your area. I wouldn't wait on it. Try kitten milk vets sell a food call Science Diet A/D they feed it to very sick animals. He could have Pneumonia. So work fast. Some vets will let you turn the pet over to them and they will treat them and adopt them out for the cost of treatment, or transfer them to the humane society to adopt out. A vet check is usually 35-45 dollars for the exam. They may need to do a fecal 16-20 dollars. blood work 50- 100 dollars during normal hrs. Its the antibiotics that are going to cost you. But you have no way around it. If you go to the vet during emergency hours it will cost you more.

Answer 6

Given you found the kitten, most vets would probably see her for free. Your local animal shelter probably has a vet clinic on site where they could see her for free as well if you explained the situation. They don't want her to be sick, and they understand you didn't choose to take on the responsibility of this creature.
She sounds like she has cat flu, which can be deadly in cats, especially if they're not eating, so call some local vets and explain where and how you found her and see if they can see her for a check-up and some treatment.

Answer 7

OK. I hear you about not having the money to take the kitten to the vet. Normaly, that is precisely what you ought to do. But if you can't you can't. Next best think is to nurse kitty as best you can until he overcomes his illness.

1. Crush vit C into his food - canned cat food is best (tuna flavor is best to tempt kitty). 50 - 100 mgs should be OK. Everyday.

2. Mix in 2 tsps. of water into his wet food to keep kitty well hydrated. He must have plenty of fluids.

3. Turn on the hot water shower in the bathroom and make it really steamy. Take kitty there and sit with him on your lap so he can breathe in the steamy air in the bathroom. This will help his chest congestion and breathing. Do this for 5 to 10 mins twice a day or anytime kitty's breathing seems labored.

4. Give him very nutritious food - high quality wet canned food like Eukenuba, Wellness. The more expensive (85c and up) the better. Don't give dry food - that will just worsen his water needs.

5. Keep him in a quiet, warm, draft-free place.

6. If Kitty does not improve in 3 days, it really is time for veterinary intervention. :(

Answer 8

I know you don't want to hear it, but I believe you might have to take it to the vet. If you want to save it, then the responsible thing to do is to take it to the Dr. It might be sick or have pneumonia. I have 3 cats, and at the 1st sign that they aren't acting like themselves, I am on the phone with their Vet., making an appt. Maybe you can talk to your Vet & see if you can make payments.
PLEASE call the vet & see if you should bring it in!

By the way, I have a cat that snores when he sleeps.

Answer 9

There is not anything that you can do for the kitten, he sounds sick and dehydrated, for right now, just try to keep him warm, and keep trying to get him to drink some water...you could also just call your nearest vet clinic and ask them for sure if there is anything that you can do to help him get better...they will be able to come up with better advice. I know it is hard to see a cat that you have taken in sick, just be patient...if you believe in prayer you could try that. Best of luck!

Answer 10

It sounds like it has a cold or kennel cough. Its very treatable though. It might just have a cold. Keep him warm and bottle feed him with kitten milk from a pet store. That will help renew his strength. You will have to force feed him if he won't suckle on his own. Keep a close eye on him and if nothing improoves please take him to a shelter if you don't wish to take him to the vet. But it sounds like nothing too major right now.