My 16-year-old cat is sneezing and breathing loud. Should I see a vet?

Hello. I would say you are exactly right, that Simba has an upper respiratory infection, essentially a cold. If he is eating & drinking fairly normally, then you probably do not need to rush him to the vet as colds often just need to run their course. As to why your female seems fine? Well, there is a good possibility she could start sneezing in the next week or so. Again, if the symptoms are mild, you may not need to do anything, but if either kitty quits eating or the ocular nasal discharge becomes thick or green, or you detect any problems breathing, then you will need to have them treated by your veterinarian. If your kitties have not had a full series of kitten vaccinations, which include the most commonly encountered upper respiratory infections a cat can contract, please make sure you complete the series as soon as everyone is feeling better. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello. You are describing Heidi with an upper respiratory infection. Most of these are viruses & generally run their course in 10-14 days. As long as Heidi is eating & drinking, she may not need to be on any medications. If you have never had her tested for feline leukemia & feline immunodeficiency virus ( & never vaccinated ), this might be something to request that your vet do this. This might change how she is or is not treated now & in the future. Just like with us, keeping her hydrated & eating are the best ways to deal with these infections. Offer her canned foods, broths or stocks & even tuna water. The more hydrated she is, the better she will feel. Any concerns, please see your veterinarian for further treatments. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

This may be just an upper respiratory infection which can be viral and last a good two weeks. If B isn't eating or isn't acting right then I would recommend going back to the veterinarian. When you shower you can take him in the bathroom and have the steam help with the congestion. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I am sorry to hear about Luna. Since she is lethargic and has a decreased appetite, I would recommend she have an examination by her vet. She may have an upper respiratory infection that requires treatment, and reasons we recommend veterinary care include lethargy, decreased appetite, trouble breathing, coughing. She is exhibiting some of these symptoms now. You can read more about respiratory infections at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951489

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.

I'd be concerned in that frequent sneezing isn't normal, and it can be a sign that Miss Press is sick. Given this has been going on for a week, I'd make a visit with the vet for a health check. It's not an emergency since she is eating and drinking normally, and otherwise behaving normally, but it would be good to get her checked out in the next few days. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

As long as Sunshine is eating and drinking you can monitor him at home. I recommend feeding wet food with added water and warm it in the microwave for eight seconds. The food will smell better and increase his eating and the added water will help maintain his normal hydration. If he should become depressed, lethargic or stop eating, please take him back for a recheck right away. He's a senior cat so I don't want him to go long without treatment if he's not feeling well. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Sunshine.