Cats are very rarely cold. They have a 'built in' fur coat and the intrinsic ability to seek out the warmest spot in the house. Curling up also helps a cat keep warm, since it is in effect wrapping its coat around itself. However, sometimes an elderly or sick cat may experience a drop in body temperature. The only real way to check if it is cold is to feel the inside of the cats ears. If the cat is cold, then the inside of the ears will be cold. If they feel tepid or lukewarm, then their temperature will be similar to ours, so the cat is fine. Obviously if the ears feel very hot they may have a temperature and should be taken to a vet. A cold cat should have its bed moved nearer a radiator or a blanket provided for it to snuggle up to, but if it is constantly and consistently cold then this may indicate some kind of disease which should be investigated by a vet.
This sounds like a respiratory infection. Other possibilities include a foreign body, allergies, polyps, cancer, ear infections, or dental problems.
There are a number of different viruses and bacteria which can cause upper respiratory tract infections. The 3 most serious of these are feline rhinotracheitis virus (also known as feline herpesvirus), feline calicivirus, and Bordatella. They can cause serious illness resulting in inappetance, fever and ulcers on the tongue and cornea. They are highly contagious to other cats.
It is preferable to treat your cat at home if it is eating. If your cat stops eating, you should seek veterinary attention. Cats that are not eating for a day or two are at risk of lipid hepatosis, malnutrition and dehydration. Hospitalisation may be necessary to administer antibiotics and keep your cat hydrated and well nourished.
At home, ensure your cat is warm and comfortable and that you provide your cat with plenty of rest, good quality food and liquids. Humidification of the nasal passages can also help. You can use a humidifier or bring your cat into the bathroom for a steaming.
Keep your cat indoors and isolate them from other cats. Ensure you wash any food and water bowls and clean his/her environment regularly.
Rhinotracheitis virus, calicivirus and Bordatella are usually successfully prevented through vaccination. Most cats that develop upper respiratory tract infections with these agents will become lifelong carriers, however it is still important to continue to vaccinate these cats to prevent and minimise future infections and decrease shedding.
This is also a sign of feline leukemia, and you really need to get the cat to the vet as soon as you can, this could be fatal. Hope this helps, good luck to you and the kitty.
The best suggestion I can give you right now is without any delay take your cat to the vet. A cat ,when it falls sick tends to behave very much like a human. They began to sneeze; they also tend to have watery eyes. Cats have the tendency to sit very quiet in a corner. In case the cold is too much then the vet might give a shot of antibiotics. Or he or she may even suggest you to try and keep feeding the cat so that the cat doesn't have any kind of weakness. Try taking the cat in your arms and making it feel better, just the way your parents treat you when you are not keeping good.
I know that its 7 months since you posted but from what it sounds it could be a Upper Respiratory Infection. Its quite normal for cats or kittens that are in shelters to get an URI especially if you have not gotten your cat his/her distemper shots. I highly recommend that you take the cat to the vet and if it is an URI then your cat will be on antibiotics for a period of 7-10 days. If it does not get better when your pet is done with the antibiotic, then make sure you take him/her back to the vet because there is a possibility that your cat could of lung worms and will have to go on a dewormer for that.
I can not suggest any treatment for your cat because cold in cats is caused by many pathogens and treatment is dependent upon diagnosis of pathogen involved. Most common pathogens are feline herpesvirus-1 feline calicivirus, feline reovirus, cowpox virus, feline Chlamydia, Bordetella bronchiseptica and mycoplasma. These organisms spread though mouth, nose and eyes secretions. Symptoms of cold in cats are sneezing, watery eye and nasal discharge, loss of appetite, drooling, fever, and breathing problems. Viral infections need no treatment and are cured within 10-14 days while antibiotics are used for bacterial infection.
I dislike giving diagnosis without seeing animals , however with the symptoms you describe , I recommend you take your cat to a Vet. The symptoms you describe , very much sound similar to those of cat flu , and this can be fatal if left untreated.
The cat will sometimes sneeze. (not always) but it will lethargic and have runny goopy eyes. Cat colds have to just run their course, there is nothing a vet can do, but they can give medicines that will keep a cold from becoming something worse.
Sounds like the cat may have a mild case of asthma. My cat does this, and has asthma. You may find a Chinese Herbal remedy for the cat, to strengthen immunity, if you consult with a holistic veterinarian. It sounds like this cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, which a number of pet care specialists advise against. It is too easy for a cat to become injured, lost, pet-napped for a laboratory, or infected with parasites, or a disease. I think the ASPCA and HSUS (humane society of the US) have online info on this. We pet-advocates support indoor-only cats. Or leash-training. BUT, to be direct to the question, try HSUS online, for links to pet health sites including Cornell. There is also a veterinary forum you could ask, which used to be on AOL before internal dispute caused them to quit.
