Instructions
Determine if the kitten is choking. This is the most severe form of a breathing problem, and will lead to death if not dealt with immediately. Check the kitten's mouth and throat for potential obstructions. Use first aid techniques immediately if one is found. Practice these techniques in advance so that you are prepared should a throat obstruction threaten the life of your cat. One such technique involves turning the cat upside down and shaking it to dislodge the offending item.
Determine whether you have introduced any new air fresheners, fabric softeners or other items that emit chemical fumes into your household recently. If you are remodeling your home and a great deal of dust and debris is in the air, sometimes this can cause breathing problems in cats and kittens. Remove the animal from the area where the fumes are present for several days, or try switching items to determine which one will not irritate your pet.
Examine your kitten for other symptoms besides breathing problems, such as a runny nose, or mucus coming from the eyes. This may indicate an upper respiratory infection, which will require treatment by a veterinarian. Dispense the antibiotics given to you by the vet once a diagnosis has been confirmed. Give the kitten the requisite number of drops orally twice a day (the standard way to administer such antibiotics).
Treat your kitten for asthma, if this condition is the source of the breathing problem. Dispense inhalant medication as per your vet's instructions (usually once or twice a day, but can be used more often if your cat has an asthma attack). Watch your kitten carefully for changes in breathing habits and abilities. This may indicate that the asthma is getting worse, or that another condition is responsible for the problem, such as an upper respiratory infection or the presence of toxic fumes.
How to Treat Breathing Problems in a Kitten
Getting a new kitten can be exciting -- until the animal gets sick. The immune system and respiratory functions of younger cats are less developed than in older ones, and are more prone to infections. If left untreated, breathing problems can quickly turn into severe illness, which can be expensive to treat at best, and deadly to your kitten at worst. A good rule of thumb is that any kitten with a breathing problem that does not disappear after two or three days should be examined by a veterinarian.