my kitty has been sneezing all weekend, do I need to get her to a vet hospital

or can I wait for the regular vet to open again on Monday?

She's eating and her eyes are all gunky, but she's been sneezing all weekend and you can hear her wheezing a little. Is this just a kitty cold or something I need to get her to an emergency vet hospital?

When cats get respiratory illnesses they sometimes stop eating because they can't smell their food. If she's not eating and seems lethargic it would probably be a good idea to take her to the vet today if you can.

there was a moment last night where it looked like she couldn't find her food, but other than that, she has been eating. She's never been a very active cat, but no less active than normal. I feel bad because she has been sneezing so much.

sometimes my cat does that also. (Sneeze).
I also sneeze several times a day, every day. Dust, various other dirt and trees in the area, etc.
Part of the great american mythology is that any disease, and slight discomfort, the slightest pain, go to the doctor and they have a miracle cure, a pill, a magic pill that cures it immediately.
Well it ain't true. Really, there is little or nothing the doctor can do.
But it does help to enrich the mega wealthy pharmaceutical companies. But most of these pills cause as many problems as they cure, and frequently don't even cure what they purport to cure.
I had a horrible, near death flu about 2003 and went several times to the doctor, who admitted he could do nothing, other than prescribe antibiotics, which would have no effect if it wasn't bacterial, but viral.
So I don't think emergency is necessary. Regular service will include a little checking, then, if kitty is not better in 1 week (2?) come back.
Same as I have heard from doctors (for me) the last 20 or 30 years.
But you have to decide.
dc

she's usually good for a few sneezes a day, no big deal, but she was sneezing ALOT. I did vaccum the entire apartment this morning and that seems to have done the trick, so it might have just been a build up of dust, etc.

than the vet. And sometimes, a lot more efficacious.
dc

your local natural foods store will have little bottles of liquid echinacea made for pediatric use with an eyedropper to use. Squeeze a few drops on a cat treat and it's down the hatch. I believe it has helped my old tabby several times over the years. You can google it if you wish.

If she's up walking around and doing everything (mostly) as usual, I doubt she's sick enough to require the ER vet (which is a HUGE expense compared to your usual vet.) If you notice any changes--like she stops eating or excreting--then get her in ASAP.

We just had a HUGE vet bill with Chaucer D. Cat (we came home from dinner and found him vomiting blood.) As a result of that recent experience I know up close and personal just how bad the ER vet is gonna rape your checkbook. Kitty is doing fine mow, and acting like his usual cat self, but my wallet is gonna take some time to recover.

If the eye goobers are a huge problem for your cat, can you maybe clean some of that up for her with a warm damp washcloth?


Laura

when we've needed them, but they are expensive, and it seems like my cats get sick only on weekends or late in the evening. It's nice to have that service when you need it, but...ouch.

I am grateful they were there.

You gotta admit, it takes a really special vet to be willing to work those hours when they could be running a nice little daytime practice. They probably have to pay extra for staff at odd times, and I'd think they probably do have to keep fairly current with vet procedure--maybe more-so than the non-ER vets.

It is kinda like comparing your regular doc to the ER--ya know?

And yes, I have long held the personal theory that kids and pets refuse to get sick during normal business hours. It has got to be some vast conspiracy that we are unaware of until we are parents and pet lovers.



Laura

We fostered a bunch of kittens who kept passing a nasty cold between them. It's not life threatening and there isn't much the vet can do. It's only an emergency if they stop eating, become very lethargic or get severe diarrhea.

If you're looking for something that might help a little, you can push fluids with an eyedropper or syringe. Just fill it with water and let it drip in the back of the cat's throat. Cats don't have a very developed sense of thirst and can dehydrate pretty easily. The kitten will be more comfortable if she has enough fluid to produce soft mucus when she sneezes but it won't cure the cold or even speed up the course much. You can also put her in a room with a humidifier (or fill the bathtub with hot water and let it steam up (as long as the cat can't get in the water). This should help with the wheezing.

Children's Benedryl for his allergy-related sneezing. The vet gave me a little plunger syringe to use to squirt it in his mouth (2X a day). Ty likes the bubblegum flavor Children's Beneadryl, and it stopped his sneezing.

Cats cannot safely take many drugs that dogs can take with no problems.

Dogs and cats are not the same.

Benadryl is apparently safe for both dogs and cats.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071113103912AASbJbe

I was getting worried, she sneezed so much. And scratching like a maniac. I'm thinking maybe it is something in the air - my allergies are bad, too. Maybe dry skin? I'm hoping it passes, cause I can't really afford a vet visit right now. Hope your kitty gets better.