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My 8-week kitten has eye infection, coughs, sneezes. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 3 months and 14 days old | 2 lbs

I have an 8 week old kitten with an eye infection. It is red an swollen and she coughs and sneezes. What should I do?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 15th, 2017

Poor Tiny! She has to be seen by a vet immediately. That's because any eye infection should be considered an emergency, as leaving them untreated can lead to vision loss. It also sounds like she has a respiratory infection. I would have a vet on call or an ER vet see her right away. The vet can prescribe her medications for her symptoms to treat them. In conjunction with the medications from the vet, I can give you some things to try at home. Please know that these will not cure the eye infection, nor can they be used as a substitute for seeing the vet. It's extremely important Tiny is treated for her eye infection ASAP.

At home, you can try starting her 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 she's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing her 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.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 8th, 2017

    Poor kitten! It could be that he has an eye infection, as well as a respiratory infection that is causing his coughing and sneezing. The eye is such a delicate and important structure that any problem with it should be considered an emergency. That's because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. I would take him into a vet now. The vet can diagnose an eye infection and respiratory infection, and can treat him for them.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 13th, 2018

    I am sorry to hear about your kitten! It definitely sounds like she needs veterinary care. I would be concerned she has an upper respiratory infection, possibly feline herpes virus with your description. You can read more about this at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951489 . I would get her into the vet as soon as possible. If she is struggling to breath it is considered an emergency. If it is mainly nasal congestion, you can try putting her into a bathroom and running a steamy shower to 10-15 minutes every few hours to help loosen congestion. You can also put nasal saline drops into each nostril and wipe the nose/face with a warm clean washcloth, and then getting her into your vet tomorrow when they are able to see you and the kitten.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 22nd, 2017

    It sounds like your pet Mimi started out with just a mild upper respiratory infection involving mostly her eyes. The eye drops and Lysine powder or gel were to treat for the eye infection and help build her immunity against the suspected virus. However, now it sounds like she has a secondary bacterial infection in her upper airway, which will require oral antibiotics to clear. I would call your vet back again and tell him about the new findings and I'm sure they will get her seen and mostly likely on oral antibiotics as well to help clear up her airway. Until you can get her in to the vet try clearing her nasal passages with a pediatric bulb syringe and using either a humidifier or steam from the shower (keep her in the bathroom for 5-10 minutes) to help break up the mucous. I hope that your pet Mimi feels better soon. Poor girl has to have so many back to back vet appointments, but hopefully she will be 100% better soon enough. Take care.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Jeffrey Milner

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 24th, 2017

    Hi, it sounds like your foster kitten has a upper respiratory infection. She will need to see a vet to go on antibiotics and eye medications. For now, use warm water and a washcloth to hold against her eye and come out any discharge so she can open her eye. Take her to the rescue's vet in the morning. Without treatment, she can get worse. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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