Kittens breathing problems

Question
Hi

We bought a female persian kitten from a breeder a few weeks ago now.  She has settled in ok and is eating well and playing with the other two persian kittens we have.

They have all had their innoculations and are healthy, but we are a bit worried about one of them, we named her brooke, she is smaller than the others and we are trying to feed her up a bit.  Unlike the other two, she has a very flat face, and she seems to be having trouble with her breathing.  She is very nasal when she is breathing and you can hear her before you see her!  We originally paid for two sisters from the same litter, but one of them died about 10 weeks, the vet couldn't save her.

I'm worried Brooke is going to suffer from breathing problems, and whether this will get worse?  Do persians with very flat faces often sound like this?  The other two are fine.  I wash their  faces every day with a soft warm flannel, I only use warm water, no soap or anything.  I brush them every night.

I did contact the breeder about Brooke and she said she would get me some antibiotics from her vet, because she could get them cheaper.  I don't know whether I should take her to the vet or not.

Are we worrying over nothing?  Could it be caused by central heating or some kind of allergy?

Hope you can help

Thankyou

Shirley

Answer
Hi Shirley.  Persians with flatter faces are more likely to suffer upper respiratory problems than those with less extreme features.  This is because their nasal passages can be twisted and blocked, and not able to drain properly.  At times, the sinuses may become involved, and this can potentially lead to serious complications, as severely swollen sinuses can cause pressure on the eyes and even the brain, and bacteria can spread from the sinuses into those areas.  So it's important to treat upper respiratory problems with an effective antibiotic.

Most Persians don't suffer any serious consequences because of their flat faces.  But I'm worried that your kitten isn't putting on weight like the other two.  This could be a symptom that she's not eating as much as she should because she's having difficulty smelling her food.  In that case, hopefully an antibiotic will help clear her nose.  I would also recommend to give her a lysine supplement, which will help combat the symptoms if they are being caused by the feline herpes virus, the most common cause of upper respiratory disease in cats.  I'm not sure what's available in the U.K., but if you search online for lysine supplements for cats, you should be able to find a paste, gel, powder or treat formulated to control the symptoms of feline herpes.  Ideally, give the supplement every day for life, but certainly for at least a couple weeks after symptoms have cleared up.

Persians are also predisposed to a heart disease called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and this can cause breathing problems due to an enlarged heart, sometimes with fluid surrounding it, that increases pressure on the lungs.  Most cats don't show any signs that they have a heart condition until they are at least a couple years old, and this is an unlikely cause of any of her problems, but if she has never been seen by a vet since you welcomed her into your home, I think it would be wise to have her checked out.

Good luck with her!

Jessica