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beccad06 · Feb 11, 2009, 01:18 PM

I have about 3 kitten from ages 4 months to almost a year old, all very small. The all have green goo coming from their eyes like pinkeye, and runny noses, and sneezing or wheezing. Tow of the kittens are from the same litter but one is a lot smaller than the other, almost skin and bones. They are more like stray cats, but just recently let us begin to hold them. I don't like to watch them die so I have been putting Aloe Vera Gel on there eyes. Is there anything else I can do to help them. I have pictures but can't post them here please email me if you want to see a picture if it will help cure the kitties.
Really can't afford to take to the vet we are broke and our last vet bill for our dog was over $500.

Silverfoxkit · Feb 11, 2009, 01:34 PM

The goo in her eyes and gunk coming from her nose sound like the kittens might have an upper respiratory infection, or in lame mans terms, the kittens probably have caught a cold. This is a lot more dangerous for kittens then adult cats, and while there are vaccines against the viruses that cause this. Have they been vaccinated? If it is a kitten cold, then just like in humans its going to have to run its course, but it very contagious, so always wash after handling them. It will last between one to two weeks, but they should be kept separate from any healthy cats for about three. I'm not a vet, just going off a hunch, but this is a likely cause.

charl89 · Feb 11, 2009, 01:39 PM

Hi, my kitten had just got a 'cold' (cats don't have colds its something else) I took her to the vet and they gave me here anti biotics and I kept her in the house for 3 days to keep her warm. If you can't afford the vet bill, why not call them and ask there advice. Kittens are so vunerable than adult cats. I hope he gets better.

Akoue · Feb 12, 2009, 11:30 AM

It certainly sounds like they have an upper respiratory infection. This is unlikely to just run its course. They need to be on antibiotics otherwise they may well end up with serious problems that could result in death. Try calling the vet and describing the symptoms. Ask if they'll give you an antibiotic without an exam (so no exam fee). I don't like to recommend this, as I think it important that the vet take a look at them, but if money concerns may prevent them getting the atibiotics they clearly need I think this is preferrable to no treatment at all. The antibiotics aren'tvery expensive. Another option would be to take one of the kittens to the vet and then letting the vet know that the others have the same symptoms. You'll likely be given enough antibiotics for all three without having to pay to have the others examined. But please get them on medicine. Some vets will let you pay in installments, and, as I say, the antibiotics aren't cost prohibitive.

Akoue · Feb 12, 2009, 12:32 PM

Interesting. I recently read in a book that they had to run their course! Goes to show you can't always trust books! Better listen to Akoue.

Thanks for the greenie and the vote of confidence. I'm thinking that with green eye goo this could already be bronchitis. And since these are kittens, the potential for disaster is magnified. But you're right that less severe respiratory infections will often resolve themselves. From the OP's description, I think this situation has escalated from "less severe" to "severe and possibly dangerous".