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Why is my kitten's breathing noisy even after URI treatment?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 1 month and 22 days old | 8 lbs

My 5 month old kitten has had wheezy/noisy breathing since she was 5 weeks old. I've been to 5 different vets who all insisted it was URI, despite the fact that she was on clindamycin for 2 months, clavamox for a month and doxycycline for 14 days, none of which solved the issue. She is otherwise perfectly healthy and it doesnt seem to bother her, It's constant wether asleep or awake, no matter what she's doing she has noisy breathing. What else could this be? Other than asthma or URI.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Mariya Gugel, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 23rd, 2017

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Other than infections or asthma, noising breathing can be caused by an obstruction of the nasal passages. This can be due to a mass such as a polyp, which are common in middle aged cats or a foreign body. You can make an appointment at a specialty hospital that has the capability to do rhinoscopy, which is basically a procedure that puts a small camera into the nasal passages and airways. I hope this helps!

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