Kitten has runny nose, sneezing, eye goobers, what to do?

Question

I know this is probably going to be a "take her to the vet" type thing but I want to check with you lovely folks first.
I just brought my kitten home Friday from the breeder and she has a runny nose, she sneezes and she has lots of eye goobers. Now I knew she had a runny nose before because the breeder told me and said he took her to the vet (he wouldn't let me pick her up until she was better). He told me the vet suggested saline spray and said it was getting better, so I could pick her up.
Well when she meows it sounds strange (she is a Bengal kitten) and she sneezes a lot. Do I need to take her back to the vet and get another opinion? Or is it just something she will get over?
Also, she scratches a lot, fleas?

She is an indoor only kitten.
What basis do you give for saying "seriously ill"?

Answer 1

give her some antiboitics

Answer 2

Upper respiratory infections are very common in cats and kittens. The majority of cases are viral and the kittens need supportive care rather than antibiotics (therefore saline may very well have been suggested by the veterinarian and isn't necessarily an indication that the breeder is lying to you). Having said that there are some upper respiratory infections that can be bacterial in origin such as Chlamydia or bacterial infections can occur secondary to a primary viral infection - in these cases antibiotics are indicated but definitely that isn't always the case.
It is important to make sure your kitten is eating properly (often they won't eat if congested and unable to smell their food) and staying hydrated.
For the congestion, it may help to put her in a small room with a humidifier or put her in the bathroom for ~15-20 minutes with the hot water running in the shower so that the room gets all steamy - this will help moisten up the airways and help with the congestion.
If she stops eating, becomes lethargic or has difficulty breathing (increased respiratory rate, open-mouthed breathing, etc) then she needs veterinary care and likely medication. Otherwise, although not an emergency, she should still go in for a "check up" and to investigate the problem of itchiness which is likely unrelated to the sneezing.
Good luck with your new kitten!

Answer 3

It's worth a pop back over to the vet. Kittens get upper respiratory infections all the time, and the fact that she was coming from a breeder makes it all the more likely. (Not irresponsible breeders, it's just harder for people with more cats in a smaller area to keep respiratory disease out of their cattery). If she's scratching a lot, it could be fleas, mites, or even allergies. Don't give antibiotics (as suggested by another poster) unless the are prescribed by a veterinarian. It could just be a virus, or there could be a secondary bacterial infection taking advantage of her weakened state. Good luck!

Answer 4

Cat Has Runny Nose

Answer 5

When I adopted my two kittens, they had the same problem. I took them to the vet and they got diagnosed with respiratory tract infection and were prescribed Amoxil (GSK childrens amoxicillin) 2x daily for 2 weeks and bacitracin ointment into the eye 2x daily until symptoms improve. You'll need to take her to the vet to get the meds and be sure everything else is in order.

Our kittens scratches too. But I did not find evidence of fleas for about a month after bringing them home. Luckily our vet had us apply Advantage Multi cats every month as preventative measure. Well after two treatments, no fleas. But the scratching still continues. When we first took them to the first vet (rescue organization's choosen vet), the vet that saw them said that the kittens might have allergies to something, he did not find fleas. The 2nd vet also did not find fleas and his diagnose was the same- dermatitis. I hate that word.

I'm rambling now.

Best thing is to take her to the vet to get the meds. Better life through chemicals. Your cat will thank you for helping her.

Answer 6

Yup, this is a take her to the vet question all right!

This breeder you got her from sounds TERRIBLE. Saline spray?!? I don't believe they even took the cat to a vet. More likely they were trying to avoid telling you that this kitten almost certainly has cat 'flu - this is a serious illness in kittens, based on the fact it will end up being fatal if left untreated. And saline spray is not a treatment.

Your kitten is exhibiting all the signs of cat 'flu so you need to get her to a vet before it gets any worse. And personally, I would kill that 'breeder'.

Chalice

Answer 7

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Sounds like an allergy. Try Benadryl (might make you sleepy though) or Claritin (won't make you sleepy, but more expensive). Those should help alleviate your symptoms. If they don't then I'd say you're getting a cold. (Although sneezing usually doesn't accompany a cold.) Try Tylenol Cold and Sinus for the day, and Nyquil at night. It'll help you sleep. Good luck!

Answer 8

It could very possibly be feline upper respiratory infection..or the cat flu..both would need to be treated with antibiotics as it sounds kinda bad...she sounds funny because her lungs are getting plugged up with ickiness.

Also if it is upper respiratory infection it is highly contagious to other cats..even with no direct contact....(humans can spread the virus from cat to cat by their hands)

Both will only get worse...very bad cases of upper respiratory infection sometimes never fully recover (will always have problems) so it is best to get her checked. When you take her to the vet she can be checked for fleas too..

good luck hope she feels better

Answer 9

If you just got her, you need to take her to the vet. Make sure she gets all the nessesary vaccinations, and gets dewormed and defleaed. Chances are good that he has fleas or earmites. Also many kittens when people first get them do tend to have a small cold. So yes take the kitten to the vet, and get her fixed up.

Answer 10

First off it sounds like the breeder may have lied to you, saline solution is not going to heal a respitory infection, take her to the vet and they will provide you with the correct medication.
If you havent put flea medication, make sure the kitten is old enough then try advantage.

Answer 11

It sounds like your cat has a cold. Or a respiratory infection. Neither are life threatening but make sure your cat doesnt become dehydrated feed her canned cat food because it has lots of moisture in it, I think about 70-80 percent. Check her for little black dust balls in her fur. If you see some, this means she has flees. If not, she could have an allergy.