How to Nurse a Kitten With a Respiratory Infection

Feline upper respiratory infection is a highly contagious disease which affects the nasal passages and sinuses of cats and kittens. It's common in animals adopted from shelters or multi-cat households and in kittens rescued from stray populations. If your kitten develops an upper respiratory infection (URI), you should nurse it back to health and watch for warning signs that may indicate a need for hospitalization.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A warm, draft-free room away from other cats
• Cotton balls
• Room vaporizer
• Pediatric nasal spray

1. Note the kitten's symptoms. Mild cases of upper respiratory infections resemble the common cold in humans, with runny eyes and sneezing. In severe cases, however, the kitten can develop a high fever, dehydration, ulcers and loss of appetite. The kitten must be seen by a veterinarian to determine the severity of the case.
2. Take the kitten to the veterinarian so they can prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics won't get rid of the URI, but they can prevent serious secondary bacterial infections.
3. Keep the kitten separated from other cats in a warm, draft-free room. Upper respiratory infections are extremely contagious and can be spread through bodily fluid, cat litter pans, food and water dishes, air borne droplets and human hands and clothing.
4. Use a cotton ball moistened with warm water to keep the eyes and nose clear of discharge. Wipe very gently to remove dry, crusted discharge.
5. Steam up the bathroom by running the shower on the hottest temperature setting and sit in there with the kitten for about 15 minutes. This will help ease congestion. Be sure to hold the kitten to prevent her from getting near the water.
6. Use a room vaporizer in the space where the kitten stays to continue easing nasal congestion. You can use the plug-in variety with mentholated inserts.
7. Relieve nasal congestion with a pediatric nasal spray. Use it for a maximum of 4 days; to keep the mucus membranes from drying out.

Tips & Warnings

• Some pharmacies will make special versions of medications for pets that taste more appealing, and will be easier to administer. Call a few in your area to find out before filling the prescription.
• Offer the kitten canned food while she's sick to entice her to eat. Canned food has a stronger smell than dry food, so kittens whose appetites have decreased will be more tempted to eat.
• Watch the kitten very closely for lack of vitality, loss of appetite or thirst, trouble breathing and ulcers on the tongue, gums, lips, nose, or roof of the mouth. These are very serious symptoms that require an immediate visit to the veterinarian.