My kitten has a cough and congestion but is active. Can I wait?

As long as Sunshine is eating and drinking you can monitor him at home. I recommend feeding wet food with added water and warm it in the microwave for eight seconds. The food will smell better and increase his eating and the added water will help maintain his normal hydration. If he should become depressed, lethargic or stop eating, please take him back for a recheck right away. He's a senior cat so I don't want him to go long without treatment if he's not feeling well. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Sunshine.

Aw poor Socks! It's pretty common to have a rescue kitten develop upper respiratory infections. I'm glad to hear he's acting normally otherwise. You can try to run a hot shower and steam up the bathroom while Socks is in the room. Sometimes this will help break up congestion. Make sure he continues to eat and drink normally. Warming some canned food up will often encourage a cat to eat more as they will eat more if they can smell the food. If Socks continues to be congested or at any point he stops eating, develops an eye issue, or becomes lethargic he should be examined by a veterinarian. It's best not to wait too long as kittens can develop pneumonia or labored breathing if the respiratory infection progresses. If necessary antibiotics can be prescribed or a supplement like lysine can be used. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Wishing Socks a speedy recovery!

This may be allergies or an upper respiratory infection. If it is viral it can take about 2 weeks to resolve. I would recommend bringing Wolf into the bathroom when you shower to have the steam help with congestion. If Wolf is actually coughing I would recommend having a veterinarian listen to him and make sure it is not heart related or something like pneumonia. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

As long as Maybel is eating and drinking, she will be fine to wait until Monday. I can give you some home remedies to try as well to see if that helps her, and these will work well in conjunction with medications from the vet. Please keep in mind that these home remedies should not be a substitute for seeing the vet, and I would have her seen on Monday. First, you can try starting her 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 she's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing her 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. I hope this helps and Maybel feels better soon!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Nomi. It sounds like she could have a respiratory infection. You should have her seen by a vet for this, and I can give you some things you can go at home for her. Please know that what I'm giving you at home cannot replace a vet visit. First, you can try starting her 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 she's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing her 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. I hope this helps!

Sunshine probably has an upper respiratory infection, or cold. As this is a viral infection It will run its course in a week or so. As long as she's just quiet and resting, eating a drinking some then you do not need to bring her in. If she should stop eating, the eye and nose discharge turns green and she becomes very lethargic then she may have a secondary bacterial infection that would need to be treated by your veterinarian. Sunshine is an older cat so if she's not recovering well then don't wait too long to bring her for an exam. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Sunshine.

I would call your veterinarian in the morning to get Flynn looked at. He may just have an upper respiratory infection but it can quickly develop into pneumonia. Your veterinarian can listen to Flynn's lungs. They can then prescribe medication as needed. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.