Just like humans, the kitten can get cold too and there is a disease called kitten Upper Respiratory Infections (URI) which is usually caused by some viruses or bacteria. The two most common viruses that like to infect kitten or cats are feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus.
For your information, these viruses can be transmitted from one cat to another through sneeze, cough, foods, when they sharing bowls, and while they grooming.
Moreover, there is URI that caused by bacteria called Bordetella and Chlamydia. They are commonly be found in shelter or area with multiple kittens or cats.
Kitten upper respiratory infections symptoms
How you will know that the kittens suffer from URI? Symptoms might be different which depend on the location and the cause of infection; however you can still pay attention of these several common feline upper respiratory infection symptoms such as:
Sneezing
Congestion
Cough
Runny nose
Fever
Drooling
Oral and nasal ulcers
Squinting/ rubbing eyes, etc.
Generally, the infections will last about 7 to 21 days and there is still an incubation time for 2 to 10 days and this is when the kitten gets the highest contagion.
Treatments for kitten that suffer from URI
First, you need to make an appointment with the vet and they will give you prescription while determine the best treatment for the kitten, hospitalization might also possible depending on the severe. However, for milder case, there are some treatments which you can do at home like:
Give the kitten appetizing and yummy kitten foods. If you have cat then you can give them canned food which somehow smells better and can be used to encourage eating.
Use humidifier to increase the humidity of the house or you can simply take the kitten into steamy bathroom for only 15 to 20 minutes but several times a day. This is one of the best kitten upper respiratory infections home treatments.
When the kitten is sneezing or drooling, wipe their nose, mouth, and eyes with clean and moistened washcloth.
How to Stop Kitten from Bitting?
Never try to self diagnose your own kitten because you may end up with the wrong treatments. To prevent the kitten getting this disease you can do several things like:
Keep the kitten indoor to prevent URI infections from other animals or cats.
Minimize the stress of the kitten; you can play with them to make them happier.
Infected kitten or cats need proper isolation to protect other animals and kitten.
Bring the kitten regularly to the vet to ensure their health.
Keep the kitten to get an up to date vaccination.
When you handle multiple kitten or cats, make sure you have good hygiene.
Those are some of important information regarding kitten upper respiratory infections.
