My cat has a cold, congestion, and seems sick. Should I see a vet?

I would recommend having Miss Gray seen by a vet to be prescribed medication if she is miserable. It's not really fair to leave her untreated in that condition, and if she is miserable, I would say she is seriously ill enough to need medication. The problem with congestion is that cats can stop eating if they can't smell their food, and if a cat stops eating, they become prone to developing a fatty liver. A fatty liver is fatal without treatment, so it's best to avoid that. I would take Miss Gray into a vet immediately for an exam and medication. I can give you some things you can do at home that will work well in conjunction with medications from the vet. Please keep in mind they cannot be used as a substitution for seeing the vet. First, you can try starting her 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. Since she's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing her 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.

Poor Gus certainly sounds quite ill! The signs you describe make me concerned that Gus has a significant upper respiratory infection that is also related to underlying viruses, such as herpesvirus or calicivirus. There is a chance that any bacteria occurring may be resistant to Clavamox or if the entire infection may be viral in origin, in which case any antibiotic will be ineffective. If it hasn't already be done, Gus should be tested for FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and FeLV (feline leukemia). These are highly contagious viral conditions that he could have acquired from his mother or from another cat prior to adoption. Both of these viruses significantly weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to other infectious diseases. At home, you can try using an amino acid supplement, L-lysine (Viralys is one example) and taking Gus into the bathroom when you shower to allow the humidity from the steam to help ease some nasal congestion. These at home strategies alone will not be sufficient to resolve all of his signs and he will need to go back to his vet. Gus' vet will be able to examine him and perform this test, as well as discussing trials with other antibiotics or antiviral medications. I hope that he's feeling better soon!

Sometimes colds don't go away on their own, and I would have him seen by a vet. He may need medications to treat his symptoms, and the vet can prescribe that. It also sounds like he has an eye infection, and those are considered quite serious because leaving them untreated can lead to vision loss. That requires an immediate trip to the vet, and if you don't want to assume financial responsibility for him, you can take him to the SPCA. They can treat his symptoms, and can find a home for him. If you do want to take him to the vet, I would have him seen ASAP. There is few things you can do at home for him that will work well in conjunction with medications from the vet. First, you can try starting him 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 he's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing him 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.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely due to an upper respiratory infection though something else like bilateral corneal ulcers or even dry eye are possible. This is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops and oral antibiotics and cats usually respond well to therapy. I recommend that you have Deimos evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. If they agree that based on an examination, that seems to be the issue, they will likely prescribe medications to make him feel better. In the meantime, you may try to decrease his activity and rest him up which may help. Good luck and best wishes!

Aw poor Socks! It's pretty common to have a rescue kitten develop upper respiratory infections. I'm glad to hear he's acting normally otherwise. You can try to run a hot shower and steam up the bathroom while Socks is in the room. Sometimes this will help break up congestion. Make sure he continues to eat and drink normally. Warming some canned food up will often encourage a cat to eat more as they will eat more if they can smell the food. If Socks continues to be congested or at any point he stops eating, develops an eye issue, or becomes lethargic he should be examined by a veterinarian. It's best not to wait too long as kittens can develop pneumonia or labored breathing if the respiratory infection progresses. If necessary antibiotics can be prescribed or a supplement like lysine can be used. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Wishing Socks a speedy recovery!

Hey there. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry to hear about your predicament with both your kitties. Based on the symptoms, I would agree that this sounds most likely like an upper respiratory condition. However, without a physical examination with a stethoscope I could not confidently say whether or not the lower portions of the respiratory tract are also affected (pneumonia or heart problem). For this reason, a veterinary examination at the very least is my recommendation to try and rule out something more serious. Upper respiratory infections do not typically resolve on their own and tend to get worse slowly. Most of them, particularly those affecting the eyes, are thought to have both viral and bacterial components. The Wapiti Chest formula is an all natural product meant to support existing respiratory health and does not make any claim as to its ability to rid the body of existing infection. This product would be a waste of your money at this time and I would not recommend it. Your kitties most likely need antibiotic / antivirals to combat the infection. Doctor may also recommend medication for the eyes / nostrils depending on the physical exam findings. While I understand the financial constraints, it might be best to deal with things now before they become worse and more expensive to tackle. Hope this makes sense.

It could be that Brodie is suffering from a chronic respiratory virus such as feline herpes. There are a few things you can try at home. First, you can try starting him 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 he's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing him 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. Finally, I'd take him into the vet. There may be medications that can help with his symptoms. Best of luck, I hope this helps!