any vets or cat experts here? what to do about sick stray cat thats in my garage lol.

Truly...

Just love on it and provide for it, and it will come back strong as ever.

Amoxicillin works on people and animals if you can give him a small dose a day. That's if he gets worse.

It's the same drug for animals and people.

I work at a shelter. If the cat has upper respiratory infection odds are they will just put it to sleep. the meds they wont give it to the cat. If it needs meds it would need antibiotics from a vet. If you think its not doing good and cant afford to take it to a vet then call around to the rescue places. there is peeps who will rescue animals and take it to the vet and get it meds. you can ask for those numbers from your local vet or the shelter.

l-lysine I have heard helps with uri with cats. I dont know the doses etc.

I would give the cat dry and wet food. keeping cat warm full of liquids is important of course. rest is always a good thing to recover for anyone or animal.

when in doubt of course talk to vet or ask shelter if they can help with the numbers for rescue places or peeps.

craigs list is another option on help with vet fees if last resort. you never know who will help. Checking with animal feed store might help too on someone to rescue the animal.

If you can find a way to take it to a vet, please do. No one here knows what's wrong with the cat. It hopefully just has a little upper respitory, but it could have numerous issues that could be fatal. Either way, it'll be a very nice thing to do.

I did this same thing the other day. I took a super skinny stray to the vet, fell in love with him while waiting for the blood panel results, only to find out it has an incurable, horrible, fatal virus. I have to put him down this afternoon. If I had to do it all again, I'd still do exactly what I did. He'll not suffer unnecessarily. He'll not pass his illnesses onto other stray cats and he'll go with a full belly and knowing love before he goes.

If you have any other pets, please keep him/her completely isolated. Wash your hands, don't share any toys, bedding, litter scoops, etc. I went as far as to change my clothing before going back into my home, and I'm very glad I did to protect all my animals.

The right & kind thing to do isn't always the easiest. Have strength to do what's right and good and be safe.

Did the same thing myself with an abandoned kitty too. He's fit as a fiddle now :), no more runny nose/sneezing etc. He just needed some food, warmth and some lovies. If the cat was not eating op, I'd be really concerned and take it to a vet. But if it is eating ok, try to keep it warm etc as mentioned in the very kind post above.

Sounds like distemper.

Don't let it around other animals as they will get sick also.

Not much you can do for it.

Call your local vet & see if they will see it.

I once had a cat come into my house, I had left the door open for a breeze. I fd it and the next morning it's back legs were completely limp and it was dragging itself across the floor.
I called a vet who agreed to see us for a cheap price since it was a stray.
The cat had a cyst on its spine. They drained it and the cat was fine. Next day, the cat left.
I think animals find those who will help them.
If you'll tell me your area ill see if I can find a low cost vet.

beware cats are known to carry bubonic plague!

No money? Shelter. Don't hurt it.

URI's are common in cats and are generally easy to cure. Most clear up on their own. However, there are a few non-curable kitty diseases with the same symptoms. Feed it for a few days and give it a comfy place to sleep. You will probably see improvement. Most adoption places will NOT kill the cat unless it has an incurable disease. Chances are he just has a kitty cold. They can look really pitiful for a few days, but it will clear up on it's own if that is all it is.

I agree with above. I operated a cat shelter for some time and in most cases it will clear up on its own. If they develop a secondary infection they will begin to run a temp, become withdrawn and need Clavamox to recover.

My advice to you is to locate a no kill shelter or a shelter that is exclusive to cats. If you intend on keeping it, make sure you quarantine it to your garage and take it to a rabies clinic or a place like a Petco clinic (rabies only is $16.00) Rabies can take days to months to incubate.

dont you see the signs? he came to your garage for a reason

OP, the best thing to do would be to take the cat in and raise it as your pet..I guaranfuckingteeyou that this cat will be the most loyal companion ever, and you'll curse the day you even considered putting him asleep

kind of reminds me of how I got my cat, he was a mess, sick and dirty, and I've had him for thirteen years and I've been lucky to have such a great cat

think about it

Shoot it. Bullets are cheap.