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Why is my cat breathing noisily, tired, and showing her third eyelid?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 4 lbs

My cat seems to be warm, has noisy breathing, and is a bit tired seeming. Her third eyelid is showing. She previously had a URI, but seemed to recover with the exception of noisy breathing. She has always been tiny, but seemed to put on weight after she got seemed to have overcome the URI. She lives outside. Please help.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Mara Howard, DVM

Answered By Mara Howard, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 3rd, 2017

I'm sorry to hear Sniffles is feeling under the weather. Upper respiratory infections in cats frequently have a viral origin, which is lifelong and cannot be cured but does not usually decrease lifespan expectancy. When the virus has a flare up, it allows secondary bacterial infections, which result in eye and nasal discharge that requires treatment with antibiotics. I would recommend that she be seen by her regular veterinarian to determine if she dies have an upper respiratory infection again or if there is something else (heart issue, allergies, etc.) going on and come up with an appropriate treatment plan if needed. Good luck!
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