Cat URI Symptoms

Cat URIs, also known as feline upper respiratory infections, are more common when cats are stressed and crowded together, but a URI can strike any cat. Kittens, due to their immature immune systems, are more vulnerable than adult cats. Knowing the symptoms of a feline URI will help you get your cat to the vet for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Don't try try to treat your cat with home remedies, and never give your cat human medications unless your vet advises it. The Cat Site warns that acetaminophen and aspirin can be fatal to cats.

  1. Sneezing and Coughing

    • The first symptom you will probably notice is sneezing. Sometimes cat sneezes can be very pronounced and unmistakable; other times your cat may sneeze more quietly. In either case, sneezing is usually a sign of the beginning of a URI. Your cat may also begin to cough.

    Discharge

    • A discharge from the eyes is another sign that your cat has a URI. The cat's eyes may look teary, runny or even goopy, with a thick discharge; the eyelid may even partially or completely close. The Cat Site advises that the cat must have an eye cream from your veterinarian at this point to prevent permanent damage to the corneas. You may also notice thick, greenish discharge in the cat's nose, and the cat may sniffle.

    Loss of Appetite

    • Loss of appetite is another common symptoms of URIs, and it can have serious consequences. Your cat needs to eat to fight the infection and to prevent becoming dehydrated. Open a can of wet cat food with a strong fishy smell; tuna and ocean salmon varieties are a good choice. The strong odor is important in order to penetrate the cat's congested nose; cats that can't smell their food usually won't eat it. To temporarily unclog the cat's nose while waiting to take it to the vet, you can place the cat in a steamy bathroom. If the cat does not eat, it may need to be force-fed or left at the veterinarian's for feeding.

    Lethargy

    • Lethargy---your cat seeming uncharacteristically tired or unwilling to move or play---is also an important tip-off to a URI. Your cat will lack its usual energy and spend unusual amounts of time dozing.

    Sores in Mouth or Nose

    • Sores in your cat's mouth or nose are a sign of a serious URI called calcivirus. With calcivirus, your cat may not sneeze as much as with a regular URI, and will seem very sleepy and lethargic. Visit your vet immediately. Calcivirus---unlike a garden-variety cat cold, which runs its course in seven to 10 days---can stay with the cat permanently, as can the rhinotracheitis variety of URI.