Hi,
I'm new to the forum and new to Bengals. There is a long backstory but, here are the important parts:
I am fostering a 4 year old female named Shakira that has a URI (Upper respiratory infection). Apparently, the 2nd owner of this purebred took the cat with the URI to the shelter!!! The shelter told me (finally today) that she hasn't eaten since the 18th - it is now the 21st. I have tried everything. She is on medications from my vet. Any advice on how to get this poor girl to eat would be great! I'm worried sick that it's been 3 days now! She is sneezing and there is clear liquid that comes out of her nose and I can hear it in there when she moves around and breathes. (not when she is lying down or sleeping).
Thanks for any advice!

Is this kitty not on medication? Is the shelter not taking care of the treatment of this baby? It is super important that a cat eat. Fatty liver disease is a huge issue that can start after 48 hours without food. It is a fatal disease if not treated in time. Thus, this cat needs nourishment of any type. The fact that she is already sick complicates anything else that is going on with her. If she is not drinking, she will become dehydrated and require fluids. The shelter should have a vet on staff that can deal with these issues. If not, then I would find a vet and have her treated. Her life depends on this.

Note, this is not just a bengal issue. All cats get URI and require treatment. Bless you for fostering this baby.

Cats rely very very heavily on their sense of smell. If they can't smell their food, thye often just won't eat their food. Like Sherry said, see the vet, absolutely, but the one thing you can do at home also is to try to make the food more "smelly". If you take some canned canned cat food (take it out of can obviously first) and put it in the microwave for like 10 sec, that will bring out the smell. See if that helps.

_________________
The little monsters 3

I brought her home from the shelter on the evening of the 19th. I know all cats can be terrified after being in a shelter and transferring to a new home but, I've been reading that especially Bengals are more susceptible to being frightened and may not eat for up to 48 hours.
Shakira saw a vet on Wednesday (20th) am and prescribed an antibiotic as well as an anti viral med. He also gave me L-lysine. Someone from a Bengal rescue chat told me to get the nutria-cat supplement. I also found a supplement like Pediacare but, for cats (it's in the fridge and I can't think of the name).
I had to force feed her both the high calorie gel as well as the liquid supplements. Finally, on Thursday night, she ate some Wilderness skipjack - we coated it with Bonito flakes. It is now Saturday and she didn't eat much on Friday. Today she's eaten a little only as well. I will try heating the food as well and continue to force feed until she's able to eat on her own. I just hope it's not too late and there isn't any damage.
Thanks for all the advice and please keep any helpful comments coming!

As long as she is eating something! And drinking some water. At this point, you give her whatever she wants to eat or can eat. She is fighting a terrible problem. When we are sick, we don't feel like eating much either. The URI should be gone in a week or so. Back in the 80's, we adopted a shelter cat and she ended up with a URI. Very common issue in shelters. I don't remember that she didn't eat -- it was just fun trying to get the pill and nose drops in her. But we survived and she lived to be 17 years old.

Syringing food is very common. I've had to do that with my bengal when he was sick and didn't want to eat. You are truly doing what you can for this little baby! I am sure as soon as she feels better, her appetite will come back. She is away from the shelter and other cats and has individualized love and care, which is what all cats need.

Keep us updated, please.