If your kitten has a cough, most likely you're dealing with an upper respiratory infection. Even if other symptoms--sneezing, runny nose and runny eyes--aren't visible yet, they will be soon. The infection, which is similar to a cold in people, will last seven to 10 days. An upper respiratory infection can be treated at home, but if the kitten gets worse or appears to be dehydrated, you should take her to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Signs that professional care is needed include loss of appetite, open mouth breathing, a high fever and extreme listlessness.
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Eyes
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A couple times a day, hold your kitten and gently wipe the mucus from her eyes with a damp, warm washcloth. You can buy veterinary ophthalmic ointment to apply to the eyes relatively inexpensively. Many pet stores and animal supply stores sell the ointment.
Nose
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Your kitten's nose will likely run, chap, get dry and get cracked from the infection. Gently clean it a couple times a day in the same way as you clean his eyes. A spot of petroleum jelly on the end of his nose will help ease some of his discomfort.
Warmth
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Just like when you get a cold, a warm soft place to rest will mean a lot to your sick kitten. Place a soft bed with a blanket in a quiet area away from drafts in which she can sleep while recovering.
Feeding
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Cats often won't eat if they can't smell their food. If your kitten's nose is stopped up, he's going to need something that really has an aroma to attract his attention. Heating his regular moist food a little will make it have a stronger and more attractive smell. If his throat is sore from the infection, you may want to offer him slightly heated baby foods that will be easier for him to swallow.
Fluids
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It's very important that you encourage your kitten to take in fluids while she is suffering from an upper respiratory infection. The single greatest concern for complications is likely dehydration. Offer your kitten chicken broth as an option to water. Even if your kitten normally eats dry food, offer her moist food while she is ill. It contains more liquid than dry foods. Ensure she has fresh, clean water available at all times.
Steam
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It may help your kitten's congestion if you run a vaporizer near her bed. If you don't have a vaporizer, you can put her in the bathroom and turn on a warm shower. Let her stay in the bathroom for 10 to 15 minutes while the shower runs. The steam may offer some comfort.
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