Expert: Becky - 12/6/2006

Question
We just had an episode w/our 3yr old cat.  He was missing for several days and I finally went to the shelter and found him there.  (He had escaped his cage and was hiding under some pallets.)  Anyway, since we've been home, he has been sneezing a lot and coughing and has had a few "strange" (watery poop-like?) deposits in the litter box.  He is an indoor/outdoor cat and we had never had any problems with him checking in daily.  Come to find out (from the shelter) that our neighbor had "trapped" him--literally caught him in a trap.  He had been in the shelter for 5 days.  Should I take him to a vet?  Or just assume he is MASSIVELY STRESSED?  We also brought home an 8wk old kitten (ok, I couldn't resist) from the shelter and she is sneezing some, too, but not coughing and having regular bm's.  The kitten is eating fine, the 3 yr old is mostly sleeping and accepting lots of loving.  Any advice?  Sorry to be so long winded.  THANK YOU!

Answer
Hi Marcia,
Good grief, I can't believe your neighbor did that!  Sneezing and coughing is the sign of an upper respiratory problem and yes, you really should take him to the Vet for a check up. They both probably need to be dewormed too.  The Vet can give both cats some meds to help with the problem.  I think you're also correct in that he is probably majorly stressed.  Congrats on the new kitten!

God Bless,
Becky