My cat has eye gunk, sneezes, bites, and loses hair. Vet needed?

Hello! Many respiratory infections in cats are caused by Feline Herpesvirus, which is similar to what causes cold sores on the mouths of people. When it flares up, it cause respiratory signs, including sneezing and congestion. An anti-viral drug called Famciclovir can help control the flare ups when they happen. There are also nasal drops that can help with chronic congestion. If the mucous is thick and green, it could indicate a secondary bacterial infection that may need a course of antibiotics to clear. Sometimes chronic nasal congestion in cats can also be caused by small polyps in the nasal cavity or dental disease, such as an abscessed molar that is spreading infection to the nasal sinus. Getting an accurate diagnosis on what is causing Squirt's nasal congestion can help you get the tools you need to combat flare-ups. For snapping and clawing, I would recommend trying to pinpoint what triggers Squirt to act like this. When he is being too rough, leave him alone for a few minutes so that you are not rewarding the behavior. For any cat dealing with any anxious behavior, I recommend something called Feliway. It's a natural feline pheromone that is calming to cats. It comes in plug ins, sprays, and collar form, so is an easy first thing to try. I also recommend environmental enrichment, such as increasing play time and ensuring there are multiple high places that he can perch- cats find the tops of cat trees, refrigerators, etc very calming. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello. Dexter probably is infected with a common feline herpes virus. Cats are infected as kittens & remain infected all their lives. It usually only causes mild, but reoccurring problems, usually at high stress times. However, it does not usually cause weight loss, unless things are severe, & your pictures only shows a very mildly affected cat. So, the next step is to see your vet & make sure he is Feline Leukemia & Feline Immundeficiency virus negative. This is done with just 3 drops of blood in your vet's office & takes 10 minutes. If his tests are negative, your vet may elect to put Dexter on a course of anti-viral medications. Hope he is feeling better soon & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The most common cause of Muse's symptoms is a viral infection with feline herpes virus. In Muse's case with the combined eye issues and sneezing, I would recommend having her seen by a veterinarian for appropriate medical therapy. The virus will have to run its course like a cold, but medications will lessen the severity of the symptoms. There are other potential causes, but feline herpes is the most common. The other potential causes are other kinds of infections. Hope this helps!

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.

Hello. It looks like Lydia has picked up an upper respiratory infection. Most of these are viruses, & we can treat these with antibiotics & antivirals, if necessary. It is always best to have these looked at pretty quickly so things do not get any worse. Not all Petco's have veterinary centers. Most Petcos only host monthly vaccination clinics where no antibiotics are available. It is best to give your local veterinarian a call to have Lydia examined. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Poor Sketch (I love his name!). Usually cats who bite hair off body are itchy. This can be caused by fleas, allergies, or even some skin mites. I would start by making sure he's on a good flea preventative (ask your vet what they recommend) and then taking him in for a check up if that doesn't fix the issue. Good luck!

Judging from your description, it sounds as if he is fighting an upper respiratory infection. Many of these are a result of a viral infection. I would recommend having him examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. He likely needs an antibiotic for a secondary bacterial infection potentially and a lysine supplement to help reduce the severity / duration of the viral infection. There are multiple lysine supplements that you can find online or at your local PetCo for cats. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.