Why is my cat sneezing, losing weight, and has chronic eye issues?

This may be a cold but I would recommend bringing Dexter to the veterinarian if it is not getting better or getting worse. Here is a website that can give you some information on how to afford veterinary care. https://www.pawbark.com/financial-help-for-veterinary-care-costs/ Thank you for using PetCoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Given the simultaneous eye issues and sneezing, Kingsley most likely has a viral infection. The most common virus to cause these symptoms is Feline Herpes Virus. Herpes can cause inflammation of nerves which could tie to the biting behavior. I would recommend having him seen by a veterinarian to assess how severe his symptoms are and which treatment(s) are best for Kingsley. The sooner he is seen the better as Herpes can lead to severe damage to the eyes either directly related to the virus or as a result of him rubbing his eyes from irritation. It is not common, but it can happen and be irreparable. If it is Herpes it will need to run its course, but if warranted, there are medications that can help reduce how severe the symptoms are. Hope this helps!

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.

A common cause of weight loss in cats is hyperthyroidism. Your vet can run blood work to test his thyroid to determine if he has the condition. Other causes include infections, parasites, liver/kidney disease, endocrine diseases, cancer, etc. Schedule an appointment with your vet for to have a work-up.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on your description and the pictures, I suspect that he has an upper respiratory infection. Many times upper respiratory infections can be contributed to the herpes virus in cats. I would recommend taking Catty in to be seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. An antibiotic will likely be prescribed / administered to help with any secondary bacterial infections. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction and that Catty feels better soon. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hello! Many respiratory infections in cats are caused by Feline Herpesvirus, which is similar to what causes cold sores on the mouths of people. When it flares up, it cause respiratory signs, including sneezing and congestion. An anti-viral drug called Famciclovir can help control the flare ups when they happen. There are also nasal drops that can help with chronic congestion. If the mucous is thick and green, it could indicate a secondary bacterial infection that may need a course of antibiotics to clear. Sometimes chronic nasal congestion in cats can also be caused by small polyps in the nasal cavity or dental disease, such as an abscessed molar that is spreading infection to the nasal sinus. Getting an accurate diagnosis on what is causing Squirt's nasal congestion can help you get the tools you need to combat flare-ups. For snapping and clawing, I would recommend trying to pinpoint what triggers Squirt to act like this. When he is being too rough, leave him alone for a few minutes so that you are not rewarding the behavior. For any cat dealing with any anxious behavior, I recommend something called Feliway. It's a natural feline pheromone that is calming to cats. It comes in plug ins, sprays, and collar form, so is an easy first thing to try. I also recommend environmental enrichment, such as increasing play time and ensuring there are multiple high places that he can perch- cats find the tops of cat trees, refrigerators, etc very calming. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

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.