URI Outbreak

As most of you know, I brought in a new foster about 2 weeks ago. She is still in quarantine in my bathroom because she seems to have come down with URI. I was sure to wash my hands carefully every time after handling her, but now the rest of my cats are sneezing. It was just a few sneezes and sniffles here and there so I figured it'd be okay until Monday when I can get to a non-emergency vet. But now I just came home from the store and found Chance with his mouth wide open because he couldn't breathe :( :( He (along with Skylar and Magic) is in my other bathroom right now getting steam from the shower.

Does anyone know any other tricks to help clear his nose up? I am going to call the ER right now for their opinion.

I am sorry to hear about the crew.:(

I wish I had something good for you to try, however I don't

I just wanted to wish you luck and knwo that I am keeping good thoughts for you and all the babies.

When Corkscrew gets congested I warm up some chicken broth for him, it's seems to help and it makes him feel better. You just have to make sure the chicken broth doesn't have any onions.

Aly, I'm so sorry to hear that your furkids are sick.:( I think that steam is probably the best way to help clear their nasal passages. I've also used pediactric nose drops called "Little Noses" before but it's very difficult to keep a cat still while you try to squirt drops into their nose. Good luck and I sure hope they'll feel better soon. Please keep us updated.

I just rubbed their noses with a warm, wet cloth. I don't want to go to sleep tonight because I want to keep an eye on Chance.

I just got back from taking Chance to an emergency vet. I talked to them, but they didn't feel it was necessary to see him so I never even took him out of the car. They told me to get some pediatric nose drops and keep steaming them in the shower. They also said that since its a mild case and they're all still eating, then I don't need to put them on antibiotics. They said I should just worry and take them in if they stop eating for 24 hrs.

So, I have them all marinating in a steamy shower right eating some canned food.

Shiloh and Missy are the only ones not sniffling. Skylar has got a terrible hacking cough :( :( :( This came on so fast.

Aly, I'm so sorry to hear your kitties are sneezing and coughing, poor babies. :( I'm sure it will help to keep them in a damp environment - and I hope you'll be able to give them the nosedrops.

We'll keep fingers and paws crossed that they're feeling better very soon. :)

Oh, Aly, I am sorry to hear the kitties are sick. Hope it all goes away as quickly as it arrived. They and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Lucky is starting to breathe with his mouth open now. Not quite as much as Chance is though. I'm still keeping a close eye on them for any changes. They just got out of the steam again and there's been less sneezing at least.

I don't have much experience but some time back someone else was talking about steam helping when the kitties can't breathe. I hope they come over it soon. All the best for my sweet boys and their adopted family:)

Aly, How are the cats doing ?

Hoping everyone feels better.

positive thoughts on the way for you and the crew Aly!

Everyone is doing ok with just mild sneezing today - except Lucky and Chance. They are both still open mouth breathing. I hate to see them like this.

UGh, their mouths are so wide open and they can't even close them. I'm goint to the store now because Chance looks bad. I'm going to get a couple things that Kim suggested.

Neither Lucky or Chance will touch the chicken broth or tuna right now :( It could be because I just put some Vicks on their noses though (just a little).

My thoughts and prayers are on the way that your kitties have a fast and full recovery.

I hope they are all feeling better now . . . my thoughts and prayers are sent your way for their speedy recovery.:)

I am sorry to hear that your kitties are sick. I hope they will be better soon. sending positive thoughts and prayers.

Oh Aly that must be so scarey having more than one baby sick. Prayers going out to you all.

Look at the poor baby :(

Oh poor Lucky. I know you are not feeling well, but you've got a very caring hooman looking after you. Don't worry, you will feel better soon.

What good work you do Aly!!!:) :)

Oh no, Aly, how scary!! Big {hugs} to you and the kitties, and many well wishes that this crisis will soon be over. Please keep us updated when you can!!

Lucky is better this morning, but Chance is still looking puny. Lucky slept in the same place all night so I didn't think he'd be better, but when I put some food out, he jumped up and ate a whole bunch. And his mouth is closed. Chance's is still open though.

I'm way behind and just now seeing this thread. I'm so sorry Aly that you have been going through this. How scary!!! It's heartbreaking when they are sick but that open mouth breathing would upset me too. I'm so glad they are doing better. Prayers on the way that this is all over soon and the babies are up and well again (with mouth closed)!

OMG Aly, that picture of Lucky is so heartbreaking. How it must be so hard for you to see him like this. As you know, there have been others on the board, especially Kim, who had gone through the same thing that you are going through now. They all took care of the situation and the results were rewarded with all healthy kitties now.
Don't despair Aly, as with your loving care, your babies will come through this also.
Headbumpies and kisses for your furbabies and (((((HUGS))))) of support for you.

I was happy to read that lucky was doing better this morning. I hope that Chance gets better soon.

Still keeping good thoughts for all.

Let us know how everyone is doing when you can.

Hang in there, Aly ... as I told you by e-mail ... it WILL get better!;)

UUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggghhhhhh! Shiloh's got it now so I have 9 sick cats :(

Luckily most of them only have it very mildly. Chance is starting to get better than he was before. He still has to open his mouth a little, but that is better than yesterday when he had it wide open all day.

I've talked to 4 different vets now. 2 of them think I should put them on antibiotics and the other 2 think I should let it run its course. Not real sure what I'm going to do yet.

My foster pup leaves tomorrow so the cats will be able to sleep more.

Sorry I missed this yesterday!

I can't be of any help but I hope they are getting better daily:)

Poor furkids and poor Aly.

Oh Aly, I'm so sorry that Shiloh has it now .... but I'm not really surprised! :( I'll tell you what my experience has been. The first outbreak I had .... there were SEVENTEEN sick kitties!!! :eek: It was a long and restless fight .... I was giving antibiotic INJECTIONS and fever reducer INJECTIONS and subcue fluids (with a large needle)!!! :eek: Since this time, I have had several more outbreaks with new cats coming in, and have basically just made sure that they kept eating / drinking and doing all I can to keep their little noses clear (Vicks, Nose Drops, etc.) . My conclusion? They cleared at the same rate as when I was knocking myself out with all the SHOTS and such!!!! It is a VIRUS, it HAS to run its course! :rolleyes: OH yeah... if their eyes are red and swollen, be sure to use the Terramycin for that .... but the rest just has to take its time!

Of course, if anyone gets lethargic, not eating / drinking .... take them to the vet ASAP for fluids!!!

((((HUGS)))) ;)

Oh Aly, I'm so sorry I missed this! What a nightmare, but I think Kim has good advice since she's been there done that....unfortunately.

I sure hope everyone starts feeling better soon. :)

Thanks so much Kim! I've been struggling with whether to put them on antibiotics or not, so thanks for sharing your experiences. I

Opps, I've had this open for about 12 hours trying to finish my response. I don't even know what I was going to say anymore. I've been consumed by trying to take care of these sickies.

I have good news and bad news. Good news : the 3 who had it the worst (Maya, Lucky, Chance) are all about 85% better. Maya and Lucky are probably actually closer to 95% better. Bad news : Magic has taken a turn for the worse and his eyes look bad. He's doing the open mouth breathing now too :( Unless he wakes up in the morning much better, he's going to the vet.

Some other good news is Shiloh never actually came down with it too bad. I thought she was because she had a sneezing fit and her eyes looked watery, but that went away and she never got any other symptoms. Her new nickname is Superwoman!

Well, Magic saw the vet today. I have antibiotics and eye ointment for him (he has conjunctivitis) and L-lysine for all of the cats. They're also all still on nose drops and Pedialyte.

I had to make a medication chart to keep track of everything :eek:

Merlin is sneezing out blood, Missy is really stuffy and Magic is not doing too well. The others are all hanging in there.

I need a vacation.

Aly, I'm sorry to hear that some of your furkids are so sick.:( Please try not to stress yourself out. I'm sure that in a week or so that everyone will be back to normal. Please get well kitties and take care of yourself Aly.

Wow, Aly, you've really got your hands full. I'm glad to hear Lucky and Maya are better but how's my poor little Chance (I just love that kitty)? I'd love to see some pictures of him when everyone is better and you actually have a minute without medicine charts.

Hang in there. I hope poor Magic, Merlin and Missy are feeling better soon.

I'll definately post some pictures soon. That is if I'm still able to use my hands after having to pill 9 cats twice a day for 2 weeks :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

I'm attaching a pic I took of Chance a couple weeks ago. Its so cute!

Oh thanks Aly!! I got my Chance fix for the weekend. That picture is so adorable.

There is just something about him! Someday I'm going to sneak down there and get him!!!

Aly .... the URI generally doesn't affect adult cats are badly as younger cats. If they have been vaccinated, that's a main reason ... but also, if not, they have probably already been subjected to the virus as kittens before! All of the symptoms, sneezing blood, etc... can be very scary, but you are doing the right things!!!

Hang in there!!!
Please update us whenever you can take a break!!!:rolleyes: ;)

I am so sorry to hear that you have 9 sick babies.:eek:

Hang in there, I know that it will be rough. Good thought on making a chart that will help alot.

Still keeping good thoughts that all will be well soon.

Big {{{{HUGS}}}} for you too. Hang in there, and keep us updated when you can.

Here is a pic of Magic - you can sort of see the red in one of his eyes. I didn't want to take too many pictures because I'm sure the flash in his bad eyes is not good right now. His eyes are about twice as bad as they are in this pic though (the pic was taken yesterday).

http://rescuedpaws.com/cats///sickmagic2.jpg

Oh, Aly, I am so late coming to this thread. Prayers on the way that all recover from this, you, too! Poor little guys.