Your kitten can also catch a cold, and that is very, very true. Upper respiratory infections are one of the most common diseases that a cat can face. It can happen due to multiple reasons, and proper home treatment can bring respite to your feline friend from this very disease. However, it might seem obvious that cold is not such a big deal for your kitten as it is for humans. But, you should know that cold can get a bit dangerous for kittens if you don’t treat it promptly.
Because of this, you need to be aware of the symptoms and what causes the upper respiratory infection in kittens. Without this understanding, it will be very difficult for you to take proper care of your kitten. You have to prevent upper respiratory infections from happening in the first place. So, knowing these small things about this disease of your kitten will help you in all sorts of ways. Moreover, you can quicken up the recovery speed if you take proper care of the kitten at home. So, in this article, let’s dig deep and find out more about upper respiratory infections in kittens.
What are the Main Upper Respiratory Infection Causes in Kittens?
The main cause of the upper respiratory infections in kittens is two viruses. These two viruses are the feline calicivirus and the feline herpesvirus. However, some other viruses also play a part in upper respiratory infections in kittens such as feline chlamydiosis, Bordetella, and mycoplasma. Respiratory infections in some kittens may happen because of multiple viruses.
The veterinarian doctor treating the kittens will be able to perform tests to determine the exact cause of the disease. These tests are performed mostly on the kittenss severely affected by upper respiratory infections.
What are the Signs of Upper Respiratory Infection in Kittens?
The signs and symptoms of upper respiratory infection or URI in kittens vary as per the cause of the disease. However, there are some signs and symptoms that are similar to most of the cats suffering from upper respiratory infections. Here are some of those symptoms:
- Depression
- Fever
- Cough
- Congestion
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- A nasal discharge of transparent color
- Oral or nasal ulcers
- Gagging
- Squinting
What to Do If a Kitten Has Upper Respiratory Infection?
When you find these symptoms in your kitten, you must take your kitten to a doctor. Once the veterinarian checks your kitten, the doctor will be able to determine whether your kitten needs medication or dehydration is the cause of all the problems or fever. You should prevent self-diagnosis because your kitten could have infections that will need to be treated in isolation. Moreover, further veterinary care or antibiotics are also may be necessary to treat the kitten.
How to Treat Upper Respiratory Infection in Kittens?
The treatment of the upper respiratory infection will depend on the veterinarian that is treating the kitten. Generally, the treatment of your kitten will include isolation, antibiotics, tests, home care, and other support recommended by the doctor.
What Will Happen If a Kitten Does Not Get the Treatment of Upper Respiratory Infection?
Now, you must take prompt action whenever you find that your kitten is suffering from upper respiratory infections. Some of the cases of URIs result in pneumonia or other dangerous issues such as problems in the eyesight if it is not treated promptly. It can also lead to problems with breathing.
How to Prevent a Kitten from Having Upper Respiratory Infection?
You must know how to take care of the kitten at home so that the upper respiratory infection gets prevented in the very first place. There are certain things that you will have to do to prevent upper respiratory infection at home straight away. Things that you have to do to prevent your kitten from getting an upper respiratory infection.
Keep the Kitten Indoors
You need to keep your feline friend inside the house to ensure the problem is minimalized to a certain extent. Also, it will prevent other animals from catching the same disease.
Isolate the Kittens
You need to isolate your kitten as well. If you have multiple pets in your house, then you would want to protect your other pets from catching upper respiratory infections. That is why isolation is something that you should do with your kitten to protect other cats or animals that are living in a similar environment.
Reduce the Stress of the Kitten
Keeping your kitten in a stressful state is a very bad thing, and it will expose your kitten to various diseases that are uncalled for. That is why reducing the stress of the kitten is very, very important.
Give Vaccines On Time
You have to give vaccines to your kitten as per the recommendation of the veterinarian. Now, you should know that the vaccines will not prevent upper respiratory infections from happening in your kitten from the beginning. But, it will surely reduce the impact it can have on your kitten.
Regular Checkups
Taking your kitten to the veterinarian for regular checkups and medical examinations is a good way of keeping your kitten safe and healthy. It will help your veterinarian to catch any diseases your kitten might have early and treat it straight away. The best defense mechanism of a kitten against URI is a strong immune system.
Good Hygiene
You need to start habits of practicing good and hygienic things while handling your kitten. When you are taking care of more than one cat, you should also wash your hands properly. It will play an essential role in preventing your kitten from catching the upper respiratory infection.
How to Treat Upper Respiratory Infection in Kittens at Home?
A kitten suffering from upper respiratory infections need to take antibiotics as prescribed by the veterinarian. Now, along with antibiotics, kitten upper respiratory infection home treatment is also essential for the recovery of the kitten. So, here is what you have to do as a part of the home treatment for your kitten suffering from upper respiratory infections.
Better Air Quality
If your kitten stays all the time indoors, then make sure that the kitten is breathing fresh air. You can leave your pet kitten on the balcony for fresh air. In case the kitten stays outside all the time, you need to ensure your kitten is not getting exposed to chemically infected surroundings.
Proper Diet
Having a good eating habit is the gateway for maintaining proper weight and immunity system. It also helps in making sure that upper respiratory infections or any such diseases are not taking a toll on the overall health condition of your kitten. That is why it is crucial to give your kitten the right foods to eat.
Vitamin C
You can also give your kitten foods that are rich in Vitamin C. Due to the use of antibiotics during the treatment of upper respiratory infection. Normally, your kitten will have a soft stool. To prevent such conditions in the kitten, vitamin C is an important thing.
Immunity Support for Your Kitten
It is important to give your kitten an immunity support supplement that will make its immunity level stronger. Also, such an immunity strengthener will help your kitten to fight off infections.
Recommended Immunity Support
Only Natural Pet Immune Strengthener
Pros
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Cons
- There is no such negative point of this product that is worth mentioning.
The Bottom Line
The upper respiratory infection in kittens is a common disease that needs to be tackled smartly. Whenever you see signs and symptoms of this disease, take your kitten to a veterinarian for proper treatment. Also, take appropriate care of your care to prevent the condition from happening in the very first place.
