Your cat has begun to sneeze and become congested and you're afraid he has a cold. You do want to help your cat feel better. Take him to the vet and get a definite diagnosis of an upper respiratory infection (URI). Your vet will advise you to make your cat as comfortable as you can. You also have some simple remedies at your disposal that might help him fight the cold off more effectively.
Nasal Spray
Your cat is miserable because she can't breathe, she's congested and she's feeling droopy. Your natural instinct is to make her feel better. While veterinarians and shelter managers will tell you not to give your cat human medication, you can administer pediatric Neo-Synephrine--one drop per nostril, in the morning and evening, for two to three days until the worst of your cat's congestion has abated.
If your cat is really uncomfortable, arrange a resting place for her since she won't feel like being active. Set up your cool-mist humidifier to help moisten the air she is breathing.
If you're concerned that your cat could develop a secondary bacterial infection, make sure to ask your vet about putting her on an antibiotic. Make sure you follow your vet's practice where antibiotics are concerned.
Vitamin C
If your cat develops a cold, you can give him 1/4 tablet of vitamin C for up to four days so you can help his immune system fight the viral infection. Hold your cat firmly and make him open his mouth. Put the vitamin C tablet at the back of his mouth and stroke his throat so he will swallow. Make sure you have fresh water handy so he can drink and wash the taste of the tablet away.
If he refuses to swallow the tablet, dissolve the tablet in 1/2 tsp. of water and pull it up into a syringe with the needle removed. Inject the vitamin C water at the back of your cat's throat so he is forced to swallow the solution.
Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which will help boost your cat's immune system and help her to fight off her cold. Mix 1/4 tsp. of cod liver oil and 1/4 tablet of vitamin C--ground up--into a small can of a fish-based cat food. The cat food contains lysine which will help suppress the virus in your cat's system. (If your cat won't take her vitamin C in tablet form or in water, you can mix it into her food.)
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