My cat with FELV is snorting after antibiotics. Is she okay?

No, this isn't common and Zylee sounds sick. Give her vet a call to let them know you are seeing this. There are also some things you can try at home. 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. Best of luck.

Cats with FeLV are at an increased risk of getting infections or other diseases, so I would recommend that Bonnie get checked out. It may be nothing, or it could be early signs of infection or heart or lung disease causing the increased respiratory rate. The vet will do a thorough exam including looking for abscesses or other wounds that could cause pain. They may also recommend x-rays to look for issues with the heart or lungs.

It could be that Midnight is still suffering from this respiratory infection and may be congested leading to the snorting. I can give you some things to try at home to see if that helps her, but if it continues over the next 24-48 hours, I would have Midnight seen by a vet for a health check. 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.

Hello, I am sorry for your concerns about Bert. Since Bert just finished 2 rounds of antibiotics for a respiratory infection, & still has a nasal discharge, either the wrong antibiotics were prescribed, or this is a viral infection. You might discuss this with your veterinarian suggesting either culturing the discharge to see what antibiotics will clear the infection, or to try an antiviral medication, like famcyclovir. Sometimes, administration of intranasal saline ( 0.25-0.5 ml saline ) into each nostril has been helpful in breaking up the discharge. And finally, there has been some work done that shows cats with existing rhinitis have been helped when a commercially available FHV-1 & FCV intranasal vaccine is used. I would discuss each of these with your veterinarian at your earliest convenience. I hope Bert is well soon. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Upper respiratory infections in cats are caused by viruses as well as bacteria, so if Jade has a respiratory infection caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help. In addition, some cats have ongoing problems with these infections, and will have bouts of illness throughout their life. You can take her back into the vet for a health check, as she may benefit from some medications, but I will also give you a few things you can do at home for Jade as well. 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.

Upper respiratory infections, allergies, and minor issues with the throat or lungs can sometimes cause congestion or coughing/snoring sounds, however minor cases may resolve on their own with little symptoms. If your cat is still eating and drinking and acting normally, it may just be best to keep an eye on her and watch for any changes. If you do see symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, loss of appetite, fever, difficulty breathing or discharge from the eyes and nose, then scheduling a veterinary appointment for further care is best. If she stays normal, then bringing it up at your next vet checkup if still concerned is best so that your vet can make sure to examine those areas more thoroughly.

This may be normal for her, especially if she isn't exhibiting any other symptoms. It certainly could be some mild congestion, which is common this time of year as the heat vents tend to blow dust around. But as long as there are no other symptoms, like wheezing, coughing, nasal discharge, or inappetence, you may have nothing to worry about. You might try weight loss to increase her overall quality of life!