Are These Cats Sick Or Stressed?

melontine

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I got a new bonded pair of foster cats today. They’re pregnant (maybe?) but still in early stages.

These are them
Pippin


Arwen


Now for why I think they might be sick.
Both cats are sneezing, have not eaten, and aren’t very active at all.
Pippin is drooling a lot (my sister says she has an underbite)
Arwen’s mouth hangs open really often
(like in this picture)


I contacted the shelter to let them know what I’ve noticed, they think maybe they could just be nervous or overstimulated and asked that I keep an eye on them.
 
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DreamerRose

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They are two beauties! They may have an upper respiratory infection. Keep them comfortable and let them rest. I am assuming the shelter gave them their shots. If they get worse, take them to a vet.
 

Antonio65

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Ask the shelter if they treated the kitties with something before fostering them out, ask them a full health record of the kitties, and tell them you want it as soon as possible.
Then I'd take them to the vet with the records to see if something needs medical attention.
 
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melontine

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Upper respiratory has been going around lately.
Several kittens have come into the shelter with it lately, and even my own group caught it briefly (though they are no longer contagious). I think it's pretty likely these two might have come into contact with it.
The shelter hadn't noticed the symptoms before sending them out, I noticed on the car ride home with them. The shelter says they'd been eating, but Arwen goes up to the food now, looks at it, and walks away. (I haven't seen Pippin approach the food) I think their sense of smell is messing with their appetite.
Arwen's nose is really runny.
The two had been treated with de-wormer at the shelter, but as far as I'm aware nothing else. They were in the shelter for at least five days before I took them. I'll ask the shelter a few more questions and let them know how the two cats are doing today.
(The shelter decides when they get sent to the vet, not me unless it's a clear emergency. But I'll push for it if they get any worse.)
 

shadowsrescue

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Cats often won't eat if they cannot smell. Try warming the wet food up a bit or get really stinky smelling cat food.
 

Antonio65

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Can you hear them having a difficult breathing? Like when they have a stuffed nose?
Are you able to do an aerosol (nebulizer) to them?

It's strange that you aren't in the position to decide for a vet visit.
Over here (Italy) those who do the fostering have a good level of freedom and can have a foster kitten visited without being questioned.

Let us know :)
 

Kissamew

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When I adopted Kikii last month she was not eating, partly in mourning (her previous person passed away), stressed from the strangeness and had a upper respiratory infection. She had a super runny nose that the "boogers" would come out and then get snuffed back up. Plus sneezing a lot. She looked super tired, too. I got her on Monday and had already made an appointment for Wednesday. My vet gave her an antibiotic shot (she was stressing out more with the syringe one the shelter gave me) and did a fluid treatment. The next morning Kikii started eating. My vet also gave me l-lysine chewies to help support Kikii's appetite. She loves them! I don't know what antibiotics do with pregnancies in cats, but I do believe the fluid treatment made a huge difference! It was subcutaneous and she had a soft, floaty lump that didn't seem to bother her (the fluid). That was gone the next morning. The visit was free as part of the adoption, but everything else was under $100 at my pet clinic. My vet also said the antibiotics the shelter gave suppressed appetites. And my vet said upper respiratory illness suppresses cats appetites, they can't smell the food. Maybe you could ask your vet about treatment. Best wishes for you and kitties!
 
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