My cat is coughing and sneezing. What if I can't afford vet care?

Poor kitties. Coughing and sneezing in cats usually is caused by a viral infection which often is coupled with a secondary bacterial infection. You can start them on Lysine powder/gel over the counter at your local pet store to help with the cough. However most cats need oral antibiotics as well from the vet to treat this properly. You can also try to break up any mucous congestion by placing the kitties in the bathroom with a hot shower running for 5-10 minutes. This allows the steam to enter their airways and helps alleviate congestion. Perhaps one of these financial resources is able to assist you with your kitties and get them further care. carecredit.com redrover.org I wish you all the best.

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. 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!

Unfortunately it’s impossible to say if Carol is sneezing due to allergies, a viral infection or something is stuck in her nostril. You can start her on a cat supplement called Lysine. Carol should take 500mg twice daily. This can help if it is viral. Keep a very close eye on her. Constant sneezing can be the first sign of an upcoming full blown respiratory tract infection. Watch for any nasal or ocular discharge. Watch for lethargy, squinting eyes or not eating well. If you end up needing to go in, there are two companies who may be able to provide financing: Care Credit and Scratch. You can find more information and an application on their websites. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

This is a classic presentation of a cat with an upper respiratory disease. They also tend to avoid eating and drinking, because the congestion in the nose does not allow them to breathe properly. You can help the congestion by giving her a steam bath. There is a link below that has good information about how to do this and other helpful tips for this condition. http://www.wikihow.com/Help-Your-Cat-Breathe-Easier It's best if you can get the kitty to a vet within the next day or two. These infections can become complicated and get much worse without treatment. The vet would be able to evaluate the severity of the infection and prescribe the necessary treatment to make her feel better and keep the infection from getting worse. Veterinary exam fees vary depending on the location, but can be anywhere from $30-$80. The medication commonly used to treat these infections is usually not too expensive and may cost $20 or more. If cost is an issue, then you may consider surrendering her to a local animal shelter/rescue center. They have vets on staff that are used to treating these infections and will ensure she goes to a good home. I hope this helps and the kitty gets better soon.

I am so sorry to hear about Creole! Unfortunately there isn't much we can do in terms of at-home care here other than closely monitoring for worsening/changes such as vomiting, difficulty breathing, vomiting, not wanting to eat/drink, change in voice/meow. If these occur or his coughing doesn't resolve, you could see if there is a low cost clinic near you- sometimes an animal shelter/humane society will have a low cost clinic, or you may be able to find a vet clinic in your area that offers payment plans or takes Care Credit or another credit extension service. You can find more about your options for paying for veterinary care at : http://m.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_veterinary_care.html Best of luck to you and Creole.

Poor guy. He sounds like he may have a severe upper respiratory infection and it is worrisome that he is also coughing. I would most certainly take him in to be seen. The vet will do a proper exam and testing (if needed) to determine the extent of the infection and also to make sure nothing more serious is going on here, such as asthma. I hope Bagotti feels better soon. Getting him seen today is ideal. Best wishes and take care.

You would need to discuss payment plans with the veterinarian or practice manager. At the same time, you can discuss alternative financing options, such as Care Credit ( www.carecredit.com ). This is a service that allows you to spread out costs into more manageable installments similar to a consumer credit card account.