Jake Sick Again-Advice?

[Craftlady]

You should see improvement after a few days on medication, I would call the vet for an appointment. Since there is a history of URI maybe there is something more going on than just a cold.
URI's are contagious. IF no one else has gotten sick it might not be URI that he has but an allergy.

[Freedom]

Basically, I agree with Craftlady. Just a few things to add.

My Vita is prone to URIs. We are lucky to get 6 weeks between bouts. The vet tells me a herpes virus has taken up residence and is not leaving any time soon. This has been 9 YEARS of it. She has had teeth cleanings, no teeth issues. It is frustrating; and the best I can do is to get her on the meds right away, so it clears. And at times, the 10 day therapy is not enough and I have to give her Clavamox for 14 days. So we go 2 weeks of meds, pray we can get 6 weeks relief, then back on the meds again. Sigh.

And while URIs are contagious, in 9 years of this, I've only had one other cat have a URI and only once. Go figure. Does this mean it isn't a URI? Maybe but then what the heck IS it???

That was my other thought. Hairballs, and tooth issues, could bring on the symptoms. If you don't already, consider using a hairball treatment -- either food with it built in, or one of the gels out there. It shouldn't hurt, and may help. Tooth issues, well, only a dental exam can tell if that is the problem.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear that Jake is sick again. I'd take him to the vet again and like others have said it may not be a URI. My cat Sky gets these type of symptoms every year and I had to take him to the vet the other day. He's now on antihistamines for allergies and is doing well on it so far. Jake may also have a bacterial infection. I hope he'll get well soon. He sure is a cutie pie. Good luck.

[catnapper]

Sounds like one heck of a URI. They are contagious, but in the years I've had fosters, not one of my guys caught the URI from any sick fosters. It has to do with how healthy their immune systems are before they come in contact with the virus. Some kittens are just so young and haven't developed a strong immune system yet that the URI will run a long time.

I had a few fosters who just sneezed and coughed for weeks, despite multiple doses of antibiotics. Pouncer seems to be one cat where the typical "10 day" prescription doesn't cut it; every time he needs an antibiotic he gets it for 20 days because of his immune system.

I've also learned to try different antibiotics. If Clavimox doesn't work, try Baytril. If Baytril doesn't work, try something else. A lot of vets don't like to prescribe antibiotics for URIs because they feel they just need to run their course. In the meantime we're frantic over our snotty little kitten who is miserable.

ALSO, Allen can't take antibiotics - they make him sicker than before (must be an allergy) so when he gets sick, I seriously have to be patient and let it run its course. Allen becomes vomit boy whenever I give out any type of antibiotic (the question in my mind is always this: is it easier to clean up lots-o-vomit or cat pee whenever he has a urinary infection )

[Medusa]

Yes, that's way too long for a URI. Get Jake back to the vet. And, yes, URI's are contagious but it might be an allergy since he's had these symptoms for so long. Prayers going out that you find out what it is and that it clears up quickly......

[catloverforever]

Thanks for all of your help regarding Jake! Your information you all shared was very informative and helpful. He is getting a little better it seems; he has more energy. But if he doesn't get truly well within a few days, we'll make an appointment with the vet. An appointment for him would have been made sooner, however, we are trying to see if his sickness will just end as he is showing some improvement.
He might have an allergy as some of you say; the other cats have not obtained his sickness. But then again, they could just have strong immune systems as some of you say, too (thank goodness, I do NOT want them getting sick, as well!) If he doesn't get well soon, we'll go to that vet and see just what is up.
Thank you once again so much. I'll keep in touch.
Catloverforever, with love from her kitties; Nellie, Reggie, Nitschke, and Jake