My cat has eye discharge and sneezing. Should I delay dental surgery?

Hi Laila! It could simply be she has a respiratory infection, and I wouldn't get too worried about pneumonia just yet. Signs of pneumonia include labored breathing, loud respiratory sounds, lethargy, reduced appetite, and fever. If she doesn't have those signs as well, I would be more suspicious she has a respiratory infection. I can give you some things to try at home for Kitty. 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. If 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. Now if she does develop any of the signs I listed above, then I would be concerned about pneumonia, and in that case, I would take her into a vet right away. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

More then likely she is having a flare up of an upper respiratory virus with the stress of surgery. Most cats are exposed to these viruses, such as cat herpes, and stress can elicit a flare up. Sneezing, runny eyes/nose, congestion, etc. are common. If there is any discoloration to any discharge, cough, or she is not eating well a recheck with your vet is indicated. For most cats however the signs will run their course in 5 to 10 days. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with a respiratory tract inflammation/infection. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. If the other cat is not vaccinated I would recommend to wait until the signs are completely resolved and treated. Yes, vaccination for the daughter's cat is best. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

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.

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!

Hello. I would say you are exactly right, that Simba has an upper respiratory infection, essentially a cold. If he is eating & drinking fairly normally, then you probably do not need to rush him to the vet as colds often just need to run their course. As to why your female seems fine? Well, there is a good possibility she could start sneezing in the next week or so. Again, if the symptoms are mild, you may not need to do anything, but if either kitty quits eating or the ocular nasal discharge becomes thick or green, or you detect any problems breathing, then you will need to have them treated by your veterinarian. If your kitties have not had a full series of kitten vaccinations, which include the most commonly encountered upper respiratory infections a cat can contract, please make sure you complete the series as soon as everyone is feeling better. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

This is likely the start of an upper respiratory infection. These are often due to a virus that is usually self-limiting (will go away on its own - much like a cold with people). These can become worse and complicated with bacterial infections, so if Alexa is having issues with congestion, or starts to develop yellow/green nose or eye discharge, then it will be best to take her to a vet for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. For now, make sure she is comfortable and free of any stressful situations. These infections often happen in times of stress, so if there was a potential new stressor, then try your best to remove it. I hope that helps and Alexa gets better soon.