Kitten URI: Is it safe to wait for vet if eating and drinking?

I'm sorry to hear that Jane isn't feeling well. Upper respiratory infections are quite common in kittens. There is nothing over the counter that would be safe for you to give her. Most of these infections will resolve on their own similar to the common cold in people. I would ensure that she is eating and drinking normally and that her eyes and nose are kept clean. You can use strong-smelling foods and warm her food to entice her to eat. If she stops eating, becomes lethargic or symptoms are not improving within a week or two she should be seen by a veterinarian.

I'm very sorry your kitty is sick. Respiratory infections are very common in kitties and almost all are caused by a virus, not a bacterial infection. Therefore, we do not recommend antibiotics if we are dealing with an upper respiratory infection. There are several things you can do at home though. To help with nasal and sinus congestion symptoms, I recommend using the shower to fill your bathroom with as much warm steamed air as possible and then place your kitty in the room for 10-15 minutes at a time. You can do this several times a day, the goal is to help humidify the air and allow your kitty's nasal passages to drain and clear some. You can also purchase over-the-counter treats or a gel formula containing the amino acid supplement L-lysine made for cats. These can sometimes help clear a viral infection. Follow the label instructions to know how much and how often to give to your kitty. If your kitty stops eating or drinking, you will need to have it examined by your veterinarian to avoid complications such as dehydration.

I typically don't recommend treating the fever specifically as fevers are a normal reaction to fight infection in the body. Like a cold in people, upper respiratory infections in cats can take several days to resolve. As long as she's eating and drinking normally, that is a good sign. If she stops eating and drinking or gets very congested and is breathing through her mouth, I would recommend taking her back to the vet. Occasionally upper respiratory infections get so severe that cats need to be hospitalized for IV fluids and syringe feeding until the symptoms improve.

This may be a virus and not a bacterial infection. If that's the case antibiotics will not help and the virus needs to run its course which can take up to two weeks. As long as she isn't getting worse, running a fever and is eating I would keep monitoring her. If at any time she does get worse or isn't getting any better after 7-10 days, I would call your veterinarian. Let her rest unless she wants to play. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello. Yes, a watch & wait may be prudent as long as Sundee is not in any respiratory distress, and her activity & appetite are normal. Definitely have her seen if her resting respiratory rate exceeds 30-40 breaths per minute when sleeping, the cough becomes more frequent, or she stops eating, becomes lethargic or anything else concerns you. Hopefully this is a mild upper respiratory infection & it will clear in the next few days. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi. Poor little kitten. Thank you for taking care of her. It sounds like she has a pretty severe upper respiratory infection and we'll need antibiotics and are there treatments. If her breathing is concerning you I would recommend the ER. If you think she can wait until tomorrow, but you could try now to help open up the Airways is Place her in a bathroom with the door closed and the shower running very hot and making it steamy in my bathroom for about 15 minutes. This will help break up some of the discharge and hopefully help her breathe better. But my recommendation would be the ER.

Hi, It sounds like possible upper respiratory infection , "cat flu" . I would recommend to be mindful with weeping eyes which can quickly become more severe and may develop corneal ulcer. Also since it has been a week I would suggest to take her to the vet who can offer some supportive treatment to speed up her recovery (such as antibiotic adainst secondary infection , antiviral meds systemic or tropical ocular amd Pain relief ). Keep offering her soft, highly aromatic foods (as you are doing) that are gently warmed will help to tempt an inappetent cat and make sure she is hydrated and drinking. Cat flu is not usually serious in adult cats, although they can be quite ill so help by a vet would be advised at this point.