Congratulations on the adoption of your new cat!  Welcoming a disadvantaged animal into your home is a generous gift with many rewards.  We hope this is the beginning of a long and happy companionship.

Cats make wonderful companions and have a reputation for being fairly low-maintenance.  But cat ownership involves significant responsibility and long-term commitment (sometimes 20+ years).  In adopting this cat, you are pledging to take responsibility for its health and well-being for the rest of its life.  To start off on the right track, a coupon for a complimentary physical exam by a veterinarian is included in the adoption package.  We encourage you to schedule an appointment at a participating veterinary practice within a week of adopting to identify any medical problems and to make sure your cat is up-to-date on vaccinations and free of parasites.  We also hope this helps unite you with a veterinary practice, since regular veterinary care will be very important for the long-term health of your new companion.

What is an upper respiratory infection?

Upper respiratory infection (URI) is a common problem among sheltered cats.  Many have URI when they enter the shelter, and the infection is easily spread among cats.  The increased stress of being in the shelter can make cats more susceptible.  Kittens, debilitated cats, and those that haven’t been previously vaccinated are at an even higher risk of getting URI.

URI can cause the following signs:  sneezing, ocular or nasal discharge, congestion, fever, lack of appetite and energy, increased salivation, and inflammation and/or ulceration affecting the mouth, nose, or eyes.  If you notice any of these signs, it is especially important to have your cat examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.  He/she may prescribe medication to help treat the infection.  Cats that are otherwise healthy usually recover from URI in about 2 weeks, but occasionally it can progress to pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.  If you notice labored breathing or coughing it is essential to have your cat examined by a veterinarian right away.

TLC and supportive care are also very important in hastening recovery from URI.  Kittens, geriatric cats, and those with concurrent medical conditions will need extra nurturing.  Seemingly small measures can go a long way in helping your cat feel better.  Gently wipe away nasal and ocular discharge with a warm, damp washcloth.  Provide a warm, comfortable and quiet place for your cat to rest.  Closely monitoring your cat’s behavior is important because sick cats often try to disguise how sick they really are.

Please also pay close attention to your cat’s appetite for food and water.  URI can make cats reluctant to eat for various reasons.  Please consult a veterinarian if your cat has a poor appetite, since it may need treatment for dehydration or other conditions.  If your cat needs encouragement to eat try hand-feeding canned kitten or cat food that has been slightly warmed.  (Pureed meat baby food can also be offered as long as it doesn’t contain onion powder – read the ingredients carefully.)

Congested cats may not eat because they can’t smell their food.  Using a vaporizer or placing the cat in a steam-filled bathroom for a few minutes a day can help clear congestion.

Remember that URI is transmissible among cats.  Affected cats may still be contagious even several weeks after recovery.  Making sure that all other cats in the household are current on their vaccinations and isolating cats while they’re showing signs of disease will help prevent the spread of URI.

Thank you for giving a homeless cat a good home.  We’re especially grateful to those willing to invest a little extra energy into nursing sick cats back to health. Your efforts will be rewarded many times over with loving companionship.