My kittens have cold symptoms. What at-home care can I provide?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Hep! I'm sorry to hear that he has not been feeling well. His symptoms make me concerned that he has a respiratory infection that has spread to the other cats. If he continues to eat and drink and his symptoms are resolving, you can try to manage him at home. If he or one of the cats worsen, then you will need to seek veterinary care. In the meantime, keep theirs eyes and noses clean. You can also run a hot shower and allow the steam to build up in the bathroom. Then place a cat in the bathroom to breathe the steam. This can help with congestion. I hope this information helps!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If these kittens are exhibiting signs of a respiratory infection, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine them so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. They may need a short course of an oral antibiotic. The sooner they are seen and treated the better as infections can become quite severe in a short period of time in young animals. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hello, Many kittens can suffer from viral respiratory infections that progress to secondary bacterial infections with pneumonia. As they both are experiencing decreased activity, I'd recommend having your kittens both seen by a veterinarian. They can guide you best after a physical exam. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I'd be a bit worried about Pringels. I can give you some things you can do for him at home. First, you can try starting him on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If he's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing him into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections. If his symptoms get worse or continue, have him seen by a vet.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on your description and the pictures, I suspect that he has an upper respiratory infection. Many times upper respiratory infections can be contributed to the herpes virus in cats. I would recommend taking Catty in to be seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. An antibiotic will likely be prescribed / administered to help with any secondary bacterial infections. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction and that Catty feels better soon. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

There is nothing OTC that you can safely give them. It is important to keep them eating and as stress free as possible. Time in a steamed bathroom can loosen chest congestion if necessary. A respiratory infection can be quite serious in such a young kitten. Keep the kitten separate from the others if possible. Ideally, they should be examined by your veterinarian and placed on antibiotics if indicated.

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.