UPDATE on Jake

**catloverforever** · 10-21-2007, 02:08 PM

Hi all,
I am sure some of you remember Jake, our new Siamese or Snowshoe/Mix kitten. If you don't, I am adding pictures, so don't worry. Anyways, he is kind of congested. I don't think he has a fever, and he doesn't have discharge from the eyes. But his breathing isn't very clear; it sounds congested. And his nose isn't wet. (Isn't it supposed to be?) Is he sick? If so, with what? When he was in the shelter, he got Upper Respitory Infection, and I've heard it can come back. But does he have that? Also, he has a healthy appetite (he LOVES to eat

) and he is still pretty playful (although he is sleeping right now.) Have any advice? Thanks a lot!
Catloverforever and Her Kitty Clan: Nellie, Reggie, Nitschke, and JAKE

**Catty1** · 10-21-2007, 02:58 PM

His nose is dry ALL the time? Not normal.

Gently lift a fold of skin on the back of his neck and let go. If it rolls easily back into place, fine. If not, he is dehydrated.

Call your vet and ask the same questions. It's unlikely they will prescribe something over the phone - I think widdle Jakie has to visit the doctor!

Please keep us posted on what the vet says.

**jazzcat** · 10-21-2007, 02:59 PM

Sounds like he may be having a flare from his URI. My Jazz came from the shelter with a bad URI and she had two or three flares until she reached about a year old. The vet said this was very typical. Keep a close eye on him and if you see he isn't eating or drinking well or if he seems really tired and lethargic you should get him to the vet.

Jake sure is cute!

**Medusa** · 10-21-2007, 04:18 PM

Your little cutie Jake may not have gotten completely over the URI. My fur posse went through 3 bouts of it before I got it cleared up completely. I'd give your vet a call to be safe. Keep us posted.

**Freedom** · 10-21-2007, 07:28 PM

Agree with the other posts. Sounds like the URI is still present. If the vet gives you pills for it, for 10 days, ask for enough for 14 days! I have one kitty who just can't get clear of a URI with the 10 day dose! Vita is now 10, been this way all her life. fortunately, she only gets them once every few years; I just have to remember to ask for the extra pills.

**krazyaboutkatz** · 10-22-2007, 12:40 AM

It sure does sound like he has another URI.

You've already been given some good advice. I'd call your vet and make an appointment for him just to be on the safe side. He sure is a cutie pie. Good luck.

When I adopted Storm from the Humane Society, I didn't know very much about cats at all. He started sneezing but he kept playing and eating and drinking well. He later became very congested but was still acting normal. I finally took him to the vet and he was a very sick cat with an URI and he also had a few other things wrong with him. Now I know better.

**catloverforever** · 10-22-2007, 07:27 PM

Jake went to the vet as suggested-and they said he was having a flare from the URI and nothing else. They gave us some medication and already gave Jakey a dose at the vet-so he should be fine. He is supposed to take it until the bottle is gone-or 14 days. And so that is what we will do! I am so glad his flare isn't bad-the vet said it wasn't in his lungs, so that is good. Jake was meowing LOUDLY

all the way home because he wanted to get out of his carrier! He was so well-behaved at the vet.

They gave him a free mouse! So all went well, and he should be fine.

Will keep you even more updated, hopefully he gets all healed from his flare by the time two weeks comes around. ALSO: His nose is wet now, so maybe that was just a short one-time thing. And thanks A LOT for all the advice, it was very helpful, and many of you predicted accurately!
Catloverforever and Her Kitty Clan, especially Jake

**Catty1** · 10-22-2007, 07:40 PM

SO glad to hear that Jake will be on the mend - with his meds for 14 days, I hope that will do it, especially since this wasn't a major flare-up.

Give him some tummy-rubs for me!

**Freedom** · 10-22-2007, 08:34 PM

Oh goody! Jake, you be good and take ALL your meds! No spitting them out when Mom isn't looking, he he!

I find pills a few HOURS after I gave them and was certain they were swallowed. And I hate using liquid meds; more goes on me, kitty and whatever we are sitting on than goes IN the mouth!

The vet claims this is all included in the calculations of how much we get but . . . .

**krazyaboutkatz** · 10-23-2007, 01:17 AM

I'm glad to hear that you took Jake to the vet and that he now has medicine to help him. I hope he'll cooperate and let you medicate him. Get well soon Jake.

**catloverforever** · 11-25-2007, 01:15 PM

Jake is all Better now from his upper respitory infection/cold!

He has been better for a long time, I am sorry I did not update this sooner. He took his medicine very well, what a good boy!

Jake is so sweet, he is such a happy kitten these days (and frisky, too)! He purrs....and purrs...and purrs!

I am enclosing two recent pictures of Jake that were taken on Thanksgiving day. I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving.
Thanks for all your help and Kind Words,
Catloverforever (and Her Kitties, Of Course!)