UTI are several Upper Respiratory Infections in cats.   The ones that I will be discussing here are the ones that I have had some experience with.

Now I have several cats that have come into my home and around my home that people just threw or they wandered here for whatver reason.  I knew about these kinds of colds in cats, but never realized tht a simple vaccine can prevent some of them.  The thing that makes it difficult is the cost of these and catching all these strays to take to a vet to get them all vaccinated.  That is a huge problem right now.  The other thing is that all the shelters are so full year round with strays and unwanted kittens that they simply refuse to take anymore.  I have gotten them all spayed/neutered and their rabies shots for the first year that I have had contact with them.  I don't want to sound like I am complaining but more of letting the public know that there is a problem out here and, for me anyway, it is overwhelming. 

URI are very contageous viruses between cats.  People cannot get these from Cats..  Cats cannot transfer their colds or flu or any other condition to their animals either.

Both of these are the equivalent of the human cold with Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpesvirus Infection)  not being as severe. Both are a virus that causes nasal discharge coughing, sneezing and sometimes eye discharge. Eating becomes a problem when they cannot smell their food. A problem with my cats who have contacted this is the mucus that is vomitted back out with their food they have just eaten. This may sound bad, but it is a good thing because it cleanes out their sinuses and their stomach of the virus. They will eat after that but just give their bodies a short time to relax.

If your cat has contracted this, mostly from other cats who have this because it is very contageous, you must isolate them. In my situation it has already spread to other cats and Little Bits was not the first to get it. Mine contracted it shortly after they were spayed/neutered and it has been going around since.

With all sicknesses in pets it is best to take them to the Vets to see if there is something that they can do for them. I have Little Bits in a giant sized Dog Crate with the shelf in it. She can lay on the slef and not get into the litter box that is under the shelf. She has enough room so that she can use the litter box. The food dishes are near the door so that she doesnt' get litter in them and I can get to them to refresh them twice a day and more if she vomits in them.

My Pet Vet told me that there really isn't much they can do once the cat has contracted this virus and as a virus it just needs to take it's course. They can give them a shot for pain and fever reduction that lasts a few days as a boost to help them heal. It doesn't heal, but makes them more comfortable so their immune system has a chance to work.. When trying to administer any meds to your cat you will want to cacoon them. That is wrap a towel around them so they cannot move or scrach the heck out of you. When they are this sick it isn't too hard to do, but once they get a bit better you may have a slight problem with them. 

Contrary to the beilef that you can give them a half of baby aspirin this is not a good idea at all. A cat's body does not have the enzymes that are needed to break down this substance and it will cause toxicity right quick.

You can give them ONE drop in each nostril of Psuedosynephrine (baby drops), twice a day. The easiest way for me to do this was to put two drops (one drop will be left in the bottom of the syringe) --in the smallest syringe (no needle) and plunge it into each nostirl. It's quick, precise and no mess. Your vet will give you syringes if you ask. I also have asked for the next size up and one of the bigger syringes because they do come in handy if you need to feed them by syringe. I have had several occasions where these were godsends.

I had a cat that got bit by whatever she was trying to eat and her tongue swelled and she couldn't swallow or pick up her food. We took her to the vets and he gave her a shot to reuce the swelling but it took a week for her tongue to go down. I ground up canned food and added enough water so that it would go through the syringe and feed her that way by plunging very slowly down the back of her throat so that she would have some nurishment.

You can add 25 mg of selenium to their food. Selenium are good natural antibiotics. EDIT--DO NOT GIVE GARLIC TO YOUR ANIMALS. IT CAUSES HEINZ BODY ANEMIA AND COULD KILL THEM.

I have added (the smallest does) Vitamin "E" and Vitamin "A" to their food as well because it heals their membranes and skin. You can also add some Echinacea, with vitamin "C" to their food. I mix this is a whole can of food and them just give the cat a heaping teaspoon twice a day. Warm up the food before you give it to them. They will take to it better if they can smell it. I just drop the whole unopened can into a pot of hot water for a few seconds. This will heat it through if you drop it a couple of times. Then add the vitamins.

I also message them. I have found somehwere that if you hold your fingers on the part where the ear dimples at the top of the head for 10 seconds, then release and do this three times it does help with their headache and helps drain their sinuses. Yes this works and my Litle Bits is a testimony to this.

Other than these and keeping them warm there really isn't anything else you can do for them. It just has to take it's course. I don't really know how long it takes because my cats are passing it all around. I read somewhere that it takes about 2 weeks though......if that helps you.

Something Esle that I just came across--Colloidal Silver can be given in their water dish. Do not use it in large does or for a prolonged period of time. It is said to kill bacteria and viruses.

Just keep in mind that Everything In Moderation when treating your animals and yourselves.