QuestionWe just had an episode w/our 3yr old cat. He was missing for several days and I finally went to the shelter and found him there. (He had escaped his cage and was hiding under some pallets.) Anyway, since we've been home, he has been sneezing a lot and coughing and has had a few "strange" (watery poop-like?) deposits in the litter box. He is an indoor/outdoor cat and we had never had any problems with him checking in daily. Come to find out (from the shelter) that our neighbor had "trapped" him--literally caught him in a trap. He had been in the shelter for 5 days. Should I take him to a vet? Or just assume he is MASSIVELY STRESSED? We also brought home an 8wk old kitten (ok, I couldn't resist) from the shelter and she is sneezing some, too, but not coughing and having regular bm's. The kitten is eating fine, the 3 yr old is mostly sleeping and accepting lots of loving. Any advice? Sorry to be so long winded. THANK YOU!
AnswerHi Marcia,
Good grief, I can't believe your neighbor did that! Sneezing and coughing is the sign of an upper respiratory problem and yes, you really should take him to the Vet for a check up. They both probably need to be dewormed too. The Vet can give both cats some meds to help with the problem. I think you're also correct in that he is probably majorly stressed. Congrats on the new kitten!
God Bless,
Becky