Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Kitten sneezing

17 replies

whatabeautifulwedding · 21/08/2023 13:46

Rehomed a 4 mth old kitten on Friday - yesterday and today he's been sneezing quite a lot. He has no other symptoms - eating, sleeping, playing and grooming fine.
Does he need to see a vet? Thanks!

OP posts:
WildFeathers · 21/08/2023 14:12

I take any new pet to the vet’s for a health check as a matter of routine. It’s great that your kitten is well in themselves but I would definitely get them checked over asap. If there is a reason for the sneezing, It’s much easier to help an otherwise well kitten to overcome it than wait to see if they become poorly with it.
Have they had any inoculations? You should mention the sneezing when you call to make the appointment, as they may want you to wait in the car if they’ve not been vaccinated against cat flu etc. All the best.

Potentialmadcatlady · 21/08/2023 14:14

Rescue? They may have had cat flu and recovered but the sneezing can keep going for a few weeks.. most vets do a free kitten check when you register with them

WildFeathers · 21/08/2023 14:14

Also kittens need go wormed regularly so speak to the vet about that if you don’t know what worming treatment they’ve had before.

Original poster
whatabeautifulwedding · 21/08/2023 14:24

WildFeathers · 21/08/2023 14:12

I take any new pet to the vet’s for a health check as a matter of routine. It’s great that your kitten is well in themselves but I would definitely get them checked over asap. If there is a reason for the sneezing, It’s much easier to help an otherwise well kitten to overcome it than wait to see if they become poorly with it.
Have they had any inoculations? You should mention the sneezing when you call to make the appointment, as they may want you to wait in the car if they’ve not been vaccinated against cat flu etc. All the best.

He came from a shelter who have regular vet visits. He's been vaccinated, flead and wormed and we have the documentation to show that.
I might have been mistaken but I'm pretty sure the lady at the shelter said he'd been checked by the vet prior to us collecting him.
I definitely know the vet had visited on the Wednesday prior to us collecting.

OP posts:
Original poster
whatabeautifulwedding · 21/08/2023 14:24

Potentialmadcatlady · 21/08/2023 14:14

Rescue? They may have had cat flu and recovered but the sneezing can keep going for a few weeks.. most vets do a free kitten check when you register with them

I just thought it was strange that he didn't start sneezing until yesterday. He was fine when we collected him...

OP posts:
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 21/08/2023 16:52

Cat flu symptoms can take a while to emerge - we had the same thing with our kitten about six weeks ago. So he may well have been fine at the rescue.

We told the vet and she said to keep an eye on him at home (like you, he had no other symptoms) but it eventually got to his chest and he needed some antibiotics for a week.

He's absolutely fine now and hasn't sneezed in weeks - I'd definitely get him checked over by your own vet.

Original poster
whatabeautifulwedding · 21/08/2023 17:30

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 21/08/2023 16:52

Cat flu symptoms can take a while to emerge - we had the same thing with our kitten about six weeks ago. So he may well have been fine at the rescue.

We told the vet and she said to keep an eye on him at home (like you, he had no other symptoms) but it eventually got to his chest and he needed some antibiotics for a week.

He's absolutely fine now and hasn't sneezed in weeks - I'd definitely get him checked over by your own vet.

Thank you - glad your cat is better now.
He's now developed a weepy eye so I'm definitely going to get him seen tomorrow.

OP posts:
Potentialmadcatlady · 21/08/2023 17:37

It sounds like cat flu.. keep him warm and settled, fluids up and good food overnight.. then vet tomorrow

Original poster
whatabeautifulwedding · 21/08/2023 18:17

Potentialmadcatlady · 21/08/2023 17:37

It sounds like cat flu.. keep him warm and settled, fluids up and good food overnight.. then vet tomorrow

Thank you - what a worry - we've only had him 3 days 🙁

OP posts:
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 21/08/2023 18:45

Thanks @whatabeautifulwedding - he's 16 weeks now and a little terror Grin

Cat flu in kittens that have come from a rescue situation or a farm (like ours) is pretty common - I know it's horrible to see but most kittens are absolutely fine with appropriate treatment so try not to worry.

Ours had a week of Synulox (antibiotics) but there's other options available too. The vet had to make up a special solution as he was so tiny!

Potentialmadcatlady · 21/08/2023 18:46

Don’t be worrying you will get him better.. it’s always a worry at first esp when they come from rescue.. I have two little ones here at min who are both on meds but they will be grand.. if his wee eyes get sticky then I prefer to use water wipe baby wipes ( clean one for each eye and bin) to soothe.. if his cough is annoying him ( not likely) then just hold him and v gently rub his wee throat to help stop any spasms.. but honestly best thing for him is warmth and sleep and a vet check.. before you know it he will be your massive furry overlord

Original poster
whatabeautifulwedding · 21/08/2023 19:04

Potentialmadcatlady · 21/08/2023 18:46

Don’t be worrying you will get him better.. it’s always a worry at first esp when they come from rescue.. I have two little ones here at min who are both on meds but they will be grand.. if his wee eyes get sticky then I prefer to use water wipe baby wipes ( clean one for each eye and bin) to soothe.. if his cough is annoying him ( not likely) then just hold him and v gently rub his wee throat to help stop any spasms.. but honestly best thing for him is warmth and sleep and a vet check.. before you know it he will be your massive furry overlord

Aw thanks for this, it's actually made me tear up as I'm sitting here fretting about him 😢

OP posts:
huggiess · 21/08/2023 19:15

Our boy had cat flu as a kitten, it was the sneezing that was the main sign. Then he got an infected eye too. Definitely get kitten to the vets for a check over

huggiess · 21/08/2023 19:16

Here's our boy as a kitten where you can see his sticky eye

Kitten sneezing
Original poster
whatabeautifulwedding · 21/08/2023 21:52

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 21/08/2023 18:45

Thanks @whatabeautifulwedding - he's 16 weeks now and a little terror Grin

Cat flu in kittens that have come from a rescue situation or a farm (like ours) is pretty common - I know it's horrible to see but most kittens are absolutely fine with appropriate treatment so try not to worry.

Ours had a week of Synulox (antibiotics) but there's other options available too. The vet had to make up a special solution as he was so tiny!

Thanks for sharing your story - I really wasn't expecting this so it's a bit of a worry but will get him checked over tomorrow

OP posts:
Original poster
whatabeautifulwedding · 21/08/2023 21:55

huggiess · 21/08/2023 19:16

Here's our boy as a kitten where you can see his sticky eye

Aw so cute! Yes it's the same eye on mine too. And his wee squeaky sneezes 🤧

OP posts:
WildFeathers · 21/08/2023 21:59

You’ve done all the right things and a vet check tomorrow would be great idea. Let us know how you get on. Your little kitten has landed on their paws getting a great home with you.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page