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scissorhead1964 · Jun 30, 2009, 08:08 AM

My cat had 5 kittens. The runt started breathing funny a couple of weeks ago. I thought she may just have a cold or allergy,but she hasn't gotten rid of it. There is no noticeable discharge coming out of her anywhere. She eats, drinks and plays and climbs just like the others. But she sounds awful. Like she has a snotty nose and maybe some chest noise too. I really can't afford a vet bill. And I know it is time for her to find a new home soon and I am concerned that she may not find one. And I wonder how she will hold up to getting shots and worming. Or even if she will live, since I don't know what is wrong. I was wondering if someone might have an idea what might be wrong with her. And will a vet look at an animal for free before treating it. Or how high the bill could run for just and examination. She is such a sweet heart I hope she will be okay.

Holly23 · Jun 30, 2009, 08:11 AM

I don't know what's wrong with your kitten.It could be a number of things... But Im just going to tell you what everyone else will tell you.

If you cany afford to keep your animals health you should not have animals.End of.

scissorhead1964 · Jul 1, 2009, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by scissorhead1964

my cat had 5 kittens. the runt started breathing funny a couple of weeks ago. i thought she may just have a cold or allergy,but she hasn't gotten rid of it. there is no noticable discharge coming out of her anywhere. she eats, drinks and plays and climbs just like the others. but she sounds awful. like she has a snotty nose and maybe some chest noise too. i really can't afford a vet bill. and i know it is time for her to find a new home soon and i am concerned that she may not find one. and i wonder how she will hold up to getting shots and worming. or even if she will live, since i don't know what is wrong. i was wondering if someone might have an idea what might be wrong with her. and will a vet look at an animal for free before treating it. or how high the bill could run for just an examination. she is such a sweet heart, i hope she will be okay.

For those that may be angry with me I just want you to understand that, first of all the mother was dumped off in my yard by some careless person and I was nice enough to take her in. and now we love her very much and her kittens. Second she was just a kitten when she was dumped off here, and she is still very young. I planned on getting her fixed but she got pregnant first. I know some of you will disagree with me on this, but I will not kill any living thing if I can keep from it, whether they are born yet or not. So I let her have the kittens. And now they are about ready to go to new homes. I plan on taking her straight to the vet now before she has a chance to get pregnant again. But I cannot really afford a vet bill for a serious problem on this baby and wonder what I am in for if I take her in and am looking for just some ideas of what she may be up against. She is a very sweet kitten and I hope she will be okay. I do not wish to put her to sleep if I can keep from it. I talked to a family member today who may or may not take her, sick or not and if they take her I know she will go to the vet, so I pray they take her.

Wondergirl · Jul 1, 2009, 10:16 PM

I had gotten a stray from a shelter, and he breathed raspily. The vet said it had to do with poor immunity, and two shots later the cat was fine. I hope your situation is that simple.

shazamataz · Jul 1, 2009, 10:35 PM

Being that she is a stray your local shelter may be willing to look at her for a smaller fee than a vets.

Good luck with your little kittens and thank you for taking in a stray!

Jane Denny · Jul 2, 2009, 12:56 PM

Your kitten may have Bartonella. This is a very common bacterial infection of cats, especially ferals. Often the entire family have the bug, but only the kittens, or the less healthy of the kittens, will come down with the disease. It's not fatal, and basically healthy cats can overcome it on their own, but weaker animals can have a lot of trouble with their eyes, sinuses, and lungs, and a handful can be really badly effected. One of my older cats, who was diabetic and alredy compromised, contracted the bug and lost his eyesight from it. So, it's worth a trip to the vet for a bartonella test. The cure is simple: 21 days on Zithromax. But don't expect the vet to automatically think of this. Many are not aware of this emerging problem. You have to ask. If money is an issue, you could take the kitten to the local SPCA clinic where the rates are lower. However, if you tell them you can't care for the kitten, they could ask you to surrender the kitten to them, and SPCA's and Animal Control units WILL put animals down that are not adopted almost immediately.