I coughed on my cat. Can he get my illness or respiratory sickness?

It is very unlikely that your nurse kitty Prof. Hopkins was infected by you. Sneezing can be caused by dry air, dust or a viral infection/bacterial infection. I suggest you watch your kitty for a purulent (yellow or green) nasal discharge. If there is a purulent discharge, then your cat does have a bacterial upper respiratory infection and he will need antibiotics from your vet. I hope you feel better soon (and I hope you were seen by your GP, as there is a very nasty flu epidemic in the UK)

Coughing is often a sign of asthma or other lung inflammation. Eye discharge is often a sign of an upper respiratory infection, especially if your other cat is now showing symptoms as well. Since there is green discharge you should see a veterinarian who can prescribe antibiotics if needed, and potentially take a chest x-ray as well.

Cats can commonly have lingering upper respiratory infections. I would recommend that you have your kitty checked out by a vet. They can help diagnose an infection, allergies, or even asthma. Cats have VERY sensitive noses and a strong sense of smell, so I would definitely avoid Vick’s as it can be very irritating to them. Depending on the diagnosis, your vet may recommend steroids, antihistamines, or another treatment that will help him out.

Frisbee's sneezing and watery eyes could be due to viral infections (such as calicivirus or herpesvirus - not contagious to humans), bacterial upper respiratory infections, or topical irritation/mild allergies. I'm glad to hear that he's still eating well and active! Fortunately, none of these possible issues are contagious to humans and viruses are most commonly specific to a single species. You can try an over the counter L-lysine amino acid supplement (Viralys is one example) to attempt to help with any shedding from some of the viruses mentioned. Ideally your vet should examine Frisbee to assure that he does not have a bacterial upper respiratory infection that may require antibiotics for treatment. Your vet may also discuss antihistamine options for Frisbee. I hope that he's on the mend soon!

Congrats on the new kitten and being pregnant, but I'm sorry Milo isn't feeling well! Luckily you cannot catch a respiratory infection from cats, so there is no concern for you and your unborn son. Respiratory infections can be common in cats, and are frequently caused by viruses so antibiotics won't help. First, you can try starting them on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If they are congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing them into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections. Depending on their symptoms, a vet may be able to prescribe medications to help with them so a vet visit would be a good idea. I hope this helps!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Hep! I'm sorry to hear that he has not been feeling well. His symptoms make me concerned that he has a respiratory infection that has spread to the other cats. If he continues to eat and drink and his symptoms are resolving, you can try to manage him at home. If he or one of the cats worsen, then you will need to seek veterinary care. In the meantime, keep theirs eyes and noses clean. You can also run a hot shower and allow the steam to build up in the bathroom. Then place a cat in the bathroom to breathe the steam. This can help with congestion. I hope this information helps!

Megz most likely got an upper respiratory infection from the new cat. There are several strains so even if she is vaccinated she can still catch a cold. Usually they will recover without treatment but if she develops yellow or green discharge or stops eating you should take her to your veterinarian for an exam. They will probably give her a course of antibiotics.