My 11-month-old cat has runny nose, weight loss, and loose stool. Why?

Hello there! I'm sorry to hear that Jojo isn't feeling well. Loose stool is not uncommon during times of stress in cats (such as when they are sick), but it could be caused by many other things as well. New or strange foods, parasites, and infections can also be culprits. Since Jojo is fighting off what sounds like an upper respiratory infection (runny nose with mucous), it's not all that surprising that she's also have some soft stool. Excess mucous that is swallowed can also cause some intestinal upset. I do highly recommend that Jojo visits the vet for her runny, irritated nose and loose stool. While most upper respiratory infections in cats are viral in nature and may subside on their own, it sounds like Jojo may be dealing with some other issues that are causing her to not feel well. In the meantime, keeping Jojo's nose clean with a soft cloth and some warm water will be helpful in preventing further irritation. Additionally, putting her in a small room that is humidified (like a bathroom with the shower running hot) can help keep these secretions fluid and moving, instead of getting all gunked up. I recommend doing this a few times a day for 15 minutes at a time. At the vet's office, Jojo will have her heart and lungs listened to. This is very important as some upper respiratory infections, even if caused by a virus, can cause a secondary bacterial infection in the lungs which can lead to pneumonia. She'll have her temperature taken (I'm glad that you are able to check this at home and that it has gone down), and they may want to collect a stool sample to check for parasites. Antibiotics and potentially some fluids under the skin (to help prevent dehydration from all the mucous and loose stool) may be in Jojo's future. These are all things that will help her on the road to recovery, but can only be administered by your vet. I hope that you can get an appointment for Jojo soon! If she becomes lethargic, starts vomiting, or seems to have trouble breathing, please bring her to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital right away. Good luck, and I hope she feels better!

Poro Mau Mau! It could be that he is suffering from a respiratory infection causing his runny nose and bleary eyes, but it could also be allergies. Without seeing him in person, I can't say for certain. But the runny nose could be the cause of his decrease in appetite. When cats can't smell their food, they won't eat. I recommend gently warming really smelly wet food such as sardine or fish based to tempt him to eat. 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. Without knowing the cause of his systems, I do not recommend giving him any supplements as they may be the improper treatment for him. Have him seen by a vet first thing Monday. I hope this helps!

Coughing, congestion, sneezing, lack of appetite, discharge from the eyes and nose, and lethargy can be signs of a respiratory infection in cats. When cats can't smell their food, they won't eat, and that may be why he is losing weight. Gently warm really smelly wet food such as sardine or fish based. I would also take him into a vet now to get checked out, as he sounds really sick to me. Best of luck.

Jack's eyes and stool most likely are not related although can be. He may have an upper respiratory infection, conjunctivitis (inflammation in the conjunctiva of the eyes which may be infection vs allergic), Jack can have a corneal ulcer (less likely if it is both eyes that are affected) or even allergies (which are less likely due to age). With all of his symptoms, including a runny nose and sneezing it seems more like an upper respiratory infection. It is a good sign that he is still full of energy. With his stool, it can be stress or intestinal parasites. It can also be that he got into something he wasn't supposed to or even a virus. When you go to the veterinarian I would recommend bringing a stool sample so the veterinarian can make sure there are no intestinal parasites. They may dispense eye medication and medication to help with the diarrhea. Depending on the cause they find it just may be antibiotics for the diarrhea or it may be a dewormer. They also may dispense a bland diet for Jack. I hope Jack feels better soon and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Poor Echo! There could be a couple of things going on with him. He could have a respiratory disease or allergies causing the sneezing. The runny poop could be due to intestinal worms, a GI illness, eating something rotten, or a foreign body. Given he has a couple of things going wrong, I would have him seen by a vet in the morning. The vet can diagnose the cause of his symptoms, and can treat him for it. I hope this helps!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the symptoms you are describing, it sounds as if Godol may be dealing with an infection. I would recommend having her examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would also initiate a bland diet as outlined below. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. You can also try a lysine supplement to help with a potential herpes viral infection. You can find lysine supplementation at your vet or at a local pet store. GENERAL INFORMATION A bland diet is a diet that is soft and highly digestible. It is low in fiber, fat and protein and is high in carbohydrates. Bland diets are generally composed of a single carbohydrate source and a single lean protein source. The most common bland diet is boiled rice and boiled lean chicken breast, without skin and bones. Since bland diets are low in fiber, stool production slows and defecation is less frequent. Bland diets are fed to rest the gastric system and to help promote normal stool formation. Animals that are physically sick should not be fed bland diets as a method of treatment. PRIOR TO FEEDING A BLAND DIET Pets should be fasted for 12 to 24 hours. Young animals should not be fasted for more than 12 hours. Fasting will allow the intestinal system to relax and minimize acid secretions that may irritate and inflame the intestinal lining. During the fast small amounts of water or ice chips may be provided. Never fast a sick animal, it may cause disease progression and death. BASIC BOILED RICE AND CHICKEN BLAND DIET RECIPE CARBOHYDRATE SOURCE: Boiled white rice LEAN PROTEIN SOURCE: Chicken breast, no skin and bones BOILED RICE: 1 part white rice with 3 parts water boiled for 20 – 25 minutes or until the rice is easily crushed. BOILED CHICKEN: De-fat chicken breast and boil in water for 10 – 15 minutes or until the chicken meat is easily pulled apart and cooked all way through. MIXING INSTRUCTIONS: Finely chop the lean protein and mix 2 cups carbohydrate source and ½ cup lean protein source. STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Bland diets can be premade and stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 48 hours. The bland diet can be cooked in a batch and frozen in feeding sized portions to minimize preparation time. Thaw and warm the frozen diet prior to feeding. PERMITTED LEAN PROTEIN SUBSTITUTIONS Pork loin, egg whites, low fat cottage cheese. 7% low fat hamburger, plain low fat yogurt. PERMITTED CARBOHYDRATE SUBSTITUTIONS Boiled potatoes, boiled spaghetti, Minute rice. PERMITTED COMMERCIAL BLAND DIETS Science Prescription Diet I/D, Eukanuba Veterinary Diet Low Residue, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Intestinal HE. FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS Estimate 25% of your animal’s diet and feed that amount of the bland diet every 6 – 8 hours. Smaller animals will require less and larger animals will require more adhering to the same carbohydrate to lean protein source ratio. The bland diet should be fed for 4 -5 days with no treats or other food sources until stools are firm. TRANSITION BACK TO A NORMAL DIET Never transition back to a regular diet rapidly. Transition back to the regular diet over a 1 week period. Start by adding 25% of the regular diet to 75% of the bland diet and feed that combination for 2 days. If stools continue to be firm then continue substituting the regular diet in 25% increments and feeding the combination in 2 day time intervals until the diet is 100% regular diet. Minimize treats for 1 week after moving the diet back to 100% regular diet.

Aww poor Thomas! I agree that he looks quite thin. I think you should get him to a veterinarian very soon because it sounds like he make have an upper respiratory infection and need antibiotics. There are many other reasons for weight loss so a vet will also help you determine if it's just a respiratory infection or something more serious. You can try placing Thomas in the bathroom with the shower running because sometimes steam will help reduce mucous and open air says. However, I really think Thomas needs to see a veterinarian soon.