SUPPORTIVE CARE FOR A SICK CAT

All newly adopted cats should visit the veterinarian within 3 days of the adoption in order to check for the following:

• Overall health
• Ear Mites
• Worms and Fleas
• Any required medication, such as antibiotics

Provided supportive care as soon as you get home

• "Little Noses," which is manufactured by Little Remedies, is a children's decongestant (nasal drops). Put 2-3 drops down each nostril 2-4 times a day
• Vitamin supplements, which can be purchased at a pet store
• Put a heating pad on one side of the bed and set the temperature to a low setting
• Steam bath for about 15-20 minutes, twice a day

Feed a cocktail using a syringe if he/she stops eating

• Mix KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement formula, Step 2 Weaning Formula) and Pedialite. Add baby food without onion powder to correct consistency
• Vicks Vapor Rub. DO NOT APPLY TO ANIMALS! Simply hold the bottle underneath the nose while the cat sleeps on your lap for about 10 minutes, twice a day
• Offer boiled chicken/chicken broth (fresh) or 9 Lives canned salmon

Call your veterinarian immediately if your cat exhibits the following symptoms:

• Dehydration, where the skin between the shoulders slowly goes down or stays up when pinched
• Feeling hot to the touch
• Gums are pale-white
• Too weak to stand on his/her own

It is very important to keep your cat hydrated in order for the immune system to function properly and to fight the cold. Not eating and not drinking are signs that you need to call your veterinarian immediately in order to give your cat the supportive care that the cat needs to recover.

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