If you foster kittens, you'll end up dealing with upper respiratory infections or URIs. These are particularly difficult in kittens under the age of 4 weeks because if they can't breathe through their noses, they can't nurse. In this video, I go through 20 tips that can help you get the kitten uncongested. This video is not designed to help diagnose or treat kittens with URIs. Instead, it is only to help you manage the symptoms.
Supplies Mentioned
Kitten Lyte: amzn.to/3DAtcG6
Dextrose (50%): amzn.to/3u2G9W8
Fortiflora: amzn.to/3DChOtF
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DeLee Suction Catheter (9Fr): amzn.to/3uQZokJ
DeLee Suction Catheter (6.5Fr): www.revivalanimal.com/product...
Videos Mentioned:
Dakin Humane Society: “Kittens: Giving Nasal Drops.”
• Kittens: Giving Nasal ...
Kitten School: “Simple at home TLC for a Cat with a Cold (Q-Tip Nose Drops)”
• Simple at home TLC for...
Youngest Old Cat Lady: “How to Tube Feed a Kitten.”
• How to Tube Feed a Kitten
Austin Pets Alive!: “How to Tube Feed a Kitten.”
• How to Tube Feed a Kit...
Kitten Lady: “Helping Kittens Survive Pneumonia.” (Coupage)
• Helping Kittens Surviv...
References
[A] Austin Pets Alive! Resource Documents www.maddiesfund.org/assets/do...
[B] Maddie’s Fund URI Scoring Chart: www.maddiesfund.org/assets/do...
[1] Fitzgerald, K. T., & Newquist, K. L. (2011). Husbandry of the Neonate. Small Animal Pediatrics, 44-52. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
[2] Baughn, Julie M.D. (Jul 2021) "When should I use a cool-mist humidifier versus a warm-mist humidifier for a child with a cold?" Mayo Clinic. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c...
[3] Austin Pets Alive! “Cat Medicines Chart.” americanpetsalive.org/uploads...
[4] Ferrell, Emmy. (May 2019). "Uses of intranasal Cerenia in URI cats." University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. www.uwsheltermedicine.com/lib...
[5] Padrid, Philip. “State Of the Art Approach to Dogs and Cats with Chronic Nasal Disease.” www.delawarevalleyacademyvm.or...
[6] Maddie’s Fund. “Kitten and Puppy Bottle Feeding Problems and Solutions Chart.” www.maddiesfund.org/assets/do...
[7] Bramlage, Donald. (Aug 2016). “Electrolytes: Fluid Therapy for Puppies & Kittens.” Revival Animal Health. www.revivalanimal.com/pet-hea...
[8] Tremayne, Jessica. (Jan 2011). "Fluid Therapy Can Be Lifesaver If Done Right." Veterinary Practice News. www.veterinarypracticenews.co...
[9] Little, Susan. (2007). “Feline Pediatrics: Treating the Small and the Sick.” Tufts' Canine and Feline Breeding and Genetics Conference, 2007. www.vin.com/apputil/content/d...
[10] Barnette, Catherine. "Techniques for Nebulization and Coupage in Cats." VCA Animal Hospitals. vcahospitals.com/know-your-pe...
[11] Purpura, Ellie. Advances in Neonatal Feline Medicine at UC Davis. www.scigalcollective.com/scie...
[12] Dolan ED, Doyle E, Tran HR, Slater MR. (Aug 2021). “Pre-mortem risk factors for mortality in kittens less than 8 weeks old at a dedicated kitten nursery.” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33252306
[13] Maes, Roger. (2012). “Felid herpesvirus type 1 infection in cats: a natural host model for alphaherpesvirus pathogenesis.” ISRN Veterinary Science. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
[14] Peek, Laurie. (2013). “Caring for Orphaned Kittens.” Maddie’s Fund. www.maddiesfund.org/caring-fo...
Contents:
0:00 Intro
0:36 Disclaimer
1:12 Recognizing Early URI Symptoms
3:05 Major Warning Signs
3:37 Increase Humidity
4:09 Humidifiers vs. Vaporizers
4:39 Using Vicks VapoSteam
5:48 Use a Nebulizer
7:05 Nebulizing Solutions
7:58 Nose Drops
9:22 How to Give Nose Drops
10:07 Increase Fluids
11:45 Give Subcutaneous Fluids
13:24 Feeding Kittens when they won't Nurse
14:45 How to Tube Feed
16:45 Nasal Aspirators or Delee Mucus Catheter
17:28 Chest Percussion
18:35 Elevation, Probiotics, Oxygen
19:17 Antibiotics and Antivirals
20:43 Remember you are fighting against the odds
22:37 Subscribe reminder
23:00 References