My cat is breathing hard through his nose. What can I do at home?

He may have an upper respiratory infection, which is quite common in cats. It is hard to say for sure without examining him myself. You can try using a humidifier to break up any mucous. As an alternative you can place him in the bathroom with the shower running for 5-10 minutes 2 x daily. However he ultimately will likely need antibiotics to clear up any bacterial infection that may be present. I would also recommend getting him on antiviral medication (I.e. lysine powder or gel from your local pet store or vet clinic) to treat for a suspected underlying viral infection. I hope your kitty feels better soon. Best wishes and take care.

Any animal, particularly this young and presumably not fully vaccinated, with respiratory signs, should be seen my a veterinarian. If your Kitkat appears to be in true respiratory distress, this should be considered and emergency and should be seen right away. Signs of true respiratory distress in a cat would be open mouth breathing, pale white to blue mucous membranes (open mouth and look at gums), fainting episodes, or resting respiration of more than 30-40.

Open mouth breathing is a sign of respiratory distress in cats, and is a medical emergency. Kenway needs to see a vet now. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/ Have your friend check out these resources, and have him take the kitten into a vet now.

As long as he is still eating and able to sleep comfortably then i would not be overly concerned. Bathing his nose with saline and cotton wool can help free any mucus and make breathing a little easier. If symptoms worsen or he starts breathing with his mouth open I would seek an emergency appointment

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! At 4 months old the kitten should be weaned and he shouldn't be nursing anymore. If Minnie is having trouble breathing from a medical reason, mother's milk will not help. Unfortunately having trouble breathing is a life threatening emergency. Minnie should be examined by a Vet so they can listen to her lungs. Causes of trouble breathing in a young cat are: upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, asthma, heart disease, fluid around the lungs. I wish you and Minnie the best!

This presentation may be due to a respiratory or cardiac problem. Sudden onset is usually compatible either with feline asthma or a cardiac issue. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Leo. I would recommend that he sees his veterinarian as he may have an upper respiratory tract infection. If this is not the case, then he may be experiencing allergies or even have a diseased tooth. You veterinarian will be able to guide you on if diagnostic tests are necessary or if treatment is needed. I hope this information helps!