Took cat to vet this past wednesday for a skin issue. They gave a steroid shot and said it was just a pimple. I asked if there would be side effects they said only increased hunger. Thursday and friday milo was sleepy and overall much less active than normal. He also ate his food slower than normal. Today he suddenly started sneezing a lot, started in the morning more than a typical sneeze but at around 1pm he had a sneeze attack that lasted over 30 seconds. I suspect he contracted a possible URI from the vet office being that he is an indoor only cat with no other cats in the house. I feel so bad for him, after the sneeze attack we noticed he is sneezing very very frequently now. It looks uncomfortable for him and now he’s just sleeping. For a typically very rambunctious cat he is not acting himself. From what i read on URIs there’s not much you can do other than comfort your cat. I’m wiping his little face periodically with a moist cloth as well as put him in the bathroom with steam from a hot shower. Other than that i’m not sure what to do, i’m not sure if this is definitely a URI or what else it could be. I’m really worried about him and i worry the repetitive sneezing is not normal. He has no colored discharge as of right now, just lots of sneezing very sleepy and pretty slow to eat (he normally is very very food driven and will eat anything pretty quickly). Let me know what this could be and what i should do to help my sweet boy. His vet is closed on weekends.
It sounds like Milo is having a tough time, and I completely understand your concern. Sneezing in cats can be caused by various factors, including respiratory infections, allergies, or irritants in the environment. Given that he's had a recent vet visit and received a steroid shot, it's possible that his immune system might be a bit suppressed, making him more susceptible to infections like an Upper Respiratory Infection (URI).
Your current approach of wiping his face with a moist cloth and using steam from a hot shower is excellent. These methods can help alleviate some of his discomfort. Additionally, there are a few more things you can do to help Milo:
First, ensure his living area is free from dust, strong odors, and potential allergens. Using an air purifier can help reduce airborne irritants. It's also important to keep him well-hydrated. Offering him wet food or adding a bit of water to his dry food can encourage fluid intake. Using a humidifier in the room where he spends most of his time can help keep his nasal passages moist and reduce irritation. Lastly, keep an eye on any changes in his symptoms, especially if he starts to develop nasal or eye discharge, coughing, or difficulty breathing.
While URIs often resolve on their own with supportive care, the fact that Milo is very sleepy, eating slowly, and sneezing frequently suggests he might need further evaluation. Since his vet is closed on weekends, if his condition worsens or if you notice any new concerning symptoms, it would be best to seek emergency veterinary care.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you.
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