Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Purrs

1. 

   We have a 5 week old kitten who has an upper respiratory infection. He is playful and still eating normally, however was just a tad dehydrated, so our vet went ahead and put an IV catheter in, and I am giving fluids as needed. He is on azithromiacin for a possible secondary infection. He is and has been on Lysine for two weeks. I have him in our small bathroom at about 80 degrees with the humidifier on. I do the saline drops in his nose a few time daily. I clean his bedding daily as well. Our vet also gave us his ICU portable unit to use, just in case he starts to go downhill.

   Anyway, although everything is under control at this point, my concern is with him being congested, I am afraid he will go off his food and we will have an even sicker kitten on our hands. I know you can not give decongestants to cats, but is there something, homeopathic? Any advice would be appreciated.

   Posted 3 years ago by yountv #

2. 

   Hi, Yountv. I'm sorry your kitten is so ill. You are doing a great job getting him seen by the vet and treated with traditional vet care I have nothing to offer as far as homeopathic remedies, but I'd run them by the vet first to be sure the homeopathic remedy didn't impede the effectiveness of the meds he is getting or interact with them in a way that would make him worse. If he does get congested and stops eating, get him in to the vet again right away.

   What is your little guy's name? Please keep posting and checking back for other responses. We have a lot of knowledgable people on this site who are very generous with helpful advice and support.

   Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

3. 

   No name for him yet. He was to be on the Azithromiacin for four days and today was the fourth day. He was congested last week and was on Clavamox, but then we switched to the new med. He cleared up for a few days and when I got home this evening was congested again. But like I said very active, eating and all the normal stuff. My vet said we just need to support his vitals until he develops the antibody, and of course we realize this may be a recurring thing for him even as he ages.

   I'm just looking for a way to make him more comfortable. :)

   Posted 3 years ago by yountv #

4. 

   It's hard to watch one so little struggling, isn't it? Thanks for taking such good care of him! You sound very knowledgable and concerned about him.

   Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

5. 

   Welcome YounTV,it sounds like you're doing a lot for your little kitten,the only thing that I have to offer is that I put a humidifier in a smaller room but I had to monitor the temp as it would easily get too hot.(It kind of peeled the wall paper though LOL) It helped her get rid of her congestion though. Let us know how he does.

   Posted 3 years ago by Buttercup #

6. 

   You're already taking the most important steps by working with your vet on this. The only way I'd consider deviating from the current care would be if done in consultation with your veterinarian.

   The saline nose drops should be helping a lot with keeping the nasal passages clear. As long as that and the humidifier/meds, etc. continue to work, he should keep a decent appetite. If not, definitely talk with your vet. You might also ask your vet what he thinks about mixing some Pedialyte in with the kitten's food, to help with hydration & electrolytes.

   Good luck with this little guy!

   Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

7. 

   Thanks for taking such good care of him--just keep working with your vet, don't try anything without the vet's OK.

   Posted 3 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #

8. 

   As long as he is eating and hydrated, and you are in contact with the vet, he's probably doing okay. The only thing I might check is if he is allergic to something. If the bedding he has is woolen, try changing it to something else.

   Don't change his food though, without talking to the vet. And even if you do change it, do it slowly (i.e.: mix the new food in with the old food and gradually decrease the amount of old food).

   Posted 3 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

9. 

   Thanks. He is still doing well. IV catheter is out. Eating formula out of a shallow dish, the congestion comes and goes. He is in our smallest bathroom, which is going to need repainted after all this is over!! The humidifer is taking it's toll. We are attempting to keep the humidity at 50%.

   I have him on a cotton bed sheet, because his nails got caught in everything else. I can change it to see if it makes a difference. I change his bedding daily.

   At this point I guess I am doing everything I can. I appreciate all of the advice and of course I will keep everyone posted. I'll call and ask about the pedialyte tomorrow. He has another check up in a few days.

   Posted 3 years ago by yountv #

10. 

    I'm glad to hear your kitten is improving! If you can get the kitten accustomed to being cuddled, you might be able to clip his claws, so they won't snag so easily. If the kitten's getting enough nourishment and liquid from formula, though, there shouldn't be a need for Pedialyte. I generally only use Pedialyte when dehydration is a serious issue (such as with kittens that develop diarrhea, or who are not taking in sufficient food to ensure sufficient hydration). Pedialyte helps ensure that the electrolytes in the kitten's body don't go all out of whack (which can worsen an already bad situation).

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

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