My cat is sneezing and has clear eye discharge. What should I do?

She might have an upper respiratory infection causing the sneezing and discharge. Since she is eating and playing normal, you can monitor her and see if the problem resolves. If she stops eating, becomes lethargic, has a fever, and/or the discharge increases or becomes discolored then she needs to be examined by a vet for treatment.

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.

This may be from an allergy or a sinus or upper respiratory infection. It is common in cats and quickly can progress to a decreased appetite and lethargy. Most respiratory infections in cats are from viral infections that can be contagious to other cats. If he is eating still, then you can make an appointment with your vet and do no need to get him treated as an emergency

Hunter may have a little virus. This can be common in young cats. I would make sure he is continually eating and drinking. If the sneezing or clear discharge gets worse then I would recommend bringing Hunter to the veterinarian so they can provide medication to help him feel better. If this is just a virus it can take up to 2 weeks for it to resolve. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Sneezing is a very vague sign in the sense it only means there is irritation to the nasal passages. So you are completely right in not jumping to the conclusion of an infection. It is more likely due to an irritant such as dust or pollen, or even cold air annoying the sensitive tissue. Do keep an eye as it could be the start of a touch of cat flu, but these things tend to be viral anyway.

Poor kitty. Given that he's less active, has been sneezing, and has discharge from his eye, it's not recommended to see if it will pass. He should see a vet for a health check and medications for his symptoms.

Sneezing and eye tearing in cats is often the result of a viral upper respiratory infection. Symptoms may include sneezing, eye or nasal discharge, nasal congestion, eye squinting, lethargy, and inappetence. Common causative agents include herpesvirus and calicivirus. The fact that he is eating and drinking normally is a good sign. However, because he is an older kitty, it will definitely require close monitoring to ensure his signs are not worsening. An exam with your veterinarian is recommended to make sure that his vital signs are normal, including a normal temperature. If he'll let you check his temperature at home, you can. I suggest lubricating a thermometer and checking his temperature rectally. Normal temperatures for can range between 100.5 to 102.5. If his temperature is 103 or higher you should consider bringing him in to your vet. Additionally, if you see yellow/green discharge from the eyes or nose, increased frequency of sneezing, lethargy, loss of appetite, or open-mouth breathing I suggest bringing him to your vet right away. Viral infections, just like in people, can weaken the immune system allowing bacterial infections to occur, which requires veterinary prescribed antibiotics. If there are any other cats in the house, I recommend temporarily isolating them from your sneezy cat until his signs resolve. Minimizing environmental stress is also recommended for his recovery. If you have any other concerns or are interested in additional information I'm happy to follow-up with an online consultation.