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Feline Upper Respiratory Infection

You just brought home your newly adopted cat and she begins to sneeze and sniffle frequently, her breathing sounds congested, and she is sleeping an inordinate amount—even for a cat. Your new feline friend may have a common problem—an upper respiratory infection. Here's how it happens: In a typical shelter, many animals are taken in every day, and few of whom have ever received proper health care. Some of these animals are already carrying infectious diseases. Feline upper respiratory infection (feline URI) and canine "kennel cough" are the animal equivalents of a human cold or flu. These diseases often affect sheltered dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. Many cats are sick, but not showing symptoms, before they even enter a shelter. Even if your cat was vaccinated against feline URI as soon as she entered the shelter, that vaccine may take up to two weeks to provide protection.

The good news is that feline URI is usually a mild disease (especially in adult cats) that is treated much as the human cold is: lots of rest, good food, and lots of love. Without treatment, however, there is a risk of severe illness or even fatal pneumonia. Cats who have been subjected to overcrowding, poor nutrition, extreme heat or cold, fear, or infection with another disease before being admitted to a shelter are more susceptible to these illnesses and may develop more severe symptoms.

In cats and kittens, the signs of feline URI include sneezing; fever; runny nose; red or watery eyes; nasal congestion (often seen as drooling or open-mouthed breathing); ulcers on the tongue, lips, nose, or the roof of the mouth; lack of appetite or thirst; and lack of energy.

Seek veterinary care as soon as possible (immediately for young kittens or for adult cats who have stopped eating). The shelter from which you adopted your cat may be able to provide you with veterinary care, depending on whether it has its own veterinary hospital; call to determine what your options are.

Here are some tips to help your cat feel better fast:

Follow the veterinarian's instructions closely. Use all medications exactly as prescribed, even if your cat's condition seems to have improved.
Encourage your cat to rest as much as possible by providing a quiet, warm place. This is not a good time to introduce her to friends and other pets in the household!
Provide appetizing food and encourage her to eat; try warming a high quality canned food.
Gently wipe any discharge from her eyes and nose with a warm, damp towel. To help ease the discomfort of nasal congestion, consider using a cool-mist vaporizer or placing her in the bathroom and running water in the shower for a few minutes each day. You may want to offer her food immediately afterward, since a congested cat can't smell her food and will often refuse to eat.

Most importantly, provide lots of love and be patient; she'll be ready to join in your normal family activities soon!