Kittens with a Runny Nose

I found 2 kittens in our neighborhood in October. Initially they seemed healthy but then developed a runny nose. Brought them to the veterinarian. The vet said it just had to run its course.

The female cat got better but the boy cat is continuing with a raspy cough, runny nose and at times, glassy eyes. The mucus from the nose tends to be clear most of the time but when he sneezes (which is 1-2 a hour or so), it is yellow.

So this has been going on now almost continuously (with the boy cat at least) since before Halloween.



Vet Suggestions for Helping Kittens with a Respiratory Infection



Hello there,

Some of the infectious agents responsible for respiratory tract infections in cats will resolve on their own; others do require treatment, however. Complicating matters is thefact that some individuals are prone to developing chronic infections that are difficult to eliminate. This might explain why your female kitten is back to normal, but the male is not.

Have the kittens been tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)? Both of these diseases can make it more difficult for cats to clear a respiratory infection. The kittens should also have been dewormed and vaccinated (if healthy enough) by this point. If they are not up to date on their preventative care and on an excellent diet, this could also be playing a role in your boy’s chronic illness. Update your veterinarian on your cat’s current condition so he or she can make a recommendation regarding diagnosis and treatment.



Best of luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM