There are certain respiratory conditions that are little more than an inconvenience for adults. The same illness has the potential to be extremely dangerous for children—for the simple reason that their immune system isn't as strong as an adult's. The same applies to your kitten. What can be relatively harmless to an adult cat has the possibility of being fatal to a kitten. So how would you know if your kitten is experiencing respiratory distress?
From Other Cats
A feline respiratory illness typically comes from other cats. This basic fact means some owners may dismiss the possibility of a respiratory illness—after all, the kitten hasn't been exposed to other animals. But your kitten could have been infected before they came to live with you—in their shelter or pet store, with the illness lying dormant until recently.
Distress and Difficulties
Feline herpes and feline calicivirus can be harmful to both adult and juvenile cats, but the effects may be especially devastating to kittens. These illnesses cause respiratory distress and difficulties, with your kitten ultimately struggling to breathe. They will also be lethargic and will lose their appetite. Kittens often sneeze uncontrollably with a respiratory infection—so the condition is often mistaken for allergies. There can also be a discharge from their eyes and nostrils.
Cats and Kittens
An adult cat displaying warning signs of a respiratory illness is unlikely to be an emergency case. Their condition needs to be monitored, and they may need to be treated by a veterinarian if their symptoms worsen. However, kittens displaying the warning signs indicating a respiratory illness need urgent veterinary attention. This is not a time to wait and see if your kitten's health will improve.
Possible Treatment Options
After an assessment of your cat's clinical symptoms, your vet may be able to ascertain whether the infection is viral or bacterial in origin. Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, and any eye or nasal discharge can be treated with topical medication. In extreme cases, a kitten may need to be rehydrated and provided with oxygen. Some kittens may need to be temporarily hospitalized.
A severe respiratory illness in an adult cat has the potential to be extremely dangerous, and this becomes more likely the younger the patient happens to be. If your kitten shows any red flags that suggest a respiratory illness, you need to get them to a veterinarian as soon as you can.
