My cat has watery eyes, wheezing, and drinks a lot. How can I help?

Sometimes colds don't go away on their own, and I would have him seen by a vet. He may need medications to treat his symptoms, and the vet can prescribe that. It also sounds like he has an eye infection, and those are considered quite serious because leaving them untreated can lead to vision loss. That requires an immediate trip to the vet, and if you don't want to assume financial responsibility for him, you can take him to the SPCA. They can treat his symptoms, and can find a home for him. If you do want to take him to the vet, I would have him seen ASAP. There is few things you can do at home for him that will work well in conjunction with medications from the vet. First, you can try starting him on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If he's congested, 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.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Hep! I'm sorry to hear that he has not been feeling well. His symptoms make me concerned that he has a respiratory infection that has spread to the other cats. If he continues to eat and drink and his symptoms are resolving, you can try to manage him at home. If he or one of the cats worsen, then you will need to seek veterinary care. In the meantime, keep theirs eyes and noses clean. You can also run a hot shower and allow the steam to build up in the bathroom. Then place a cat in the bathroom to breathe the steam. This can help with congestion. I hope this information helps!

He may have an upper respiratory infection, which is quite common in cats. It is hard to say for sure without examining him myself. You can try using a humidifier to break up any mucous. As an alternative you can place him in the bathroom with the shower running for 5-10 minutes 2 x daily. However he ultimately will likely need antibiotics to clear up any bacterial infection that may be present. I would also recommend getting him on antiviral medication (I.e. lysine powder or gel from your local pet store or vet clinic) to treat for a suspected underlying viral infection. I hope your kitty feels better soon. Best wishes and take care.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely due to an upper respiratory infection though something else like bilateral corneal ulcers or even dry eye are possible. This is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops and oral antibiotics and cats usually respond well to therapy. I recommend that you have Deimos evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. If they agree that based on an examination, that seems to be the issue, they will likely prescribe medications to make him feel better. In the meantime, you may try to decrease his activity and rest him up which may help. Good luck and best wishes!

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!

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

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.