Kitten URI: Vet says no antibiotics. Is it right for clear discharge?

Upper respiratory infections are not uncommon in kittens like Smokey. Its also not unusual that they cause eye problems as well. I would advise to start Smokey on 250mg of lysine twice daily. You may be able to find this at a pet store but it is used in humans as well. Otherwise your vet will likely carry it as well. Call the doctor to let her know whats going on. She may have further recommendations. If Smokey's eyes start to get irritated or have a green/yellow discharge, he needs antibiotics for his eyes as well. I hope this helps!

This is probably an upper respiratory infection. it's very common in young cats and is very contagious to other cats as well. It is treated with antibiotic eye drops/ointment and oral antibiotics for about 2 weeks. if left untreated many cats will end up blind or even die from the disease. I advise going to your vet asap to start the treatment right away.

It may take 7-10 days for the condition to resolve. As long as he is still eating, breathing normal, and has normal energy then continue the medications as directed and monitor his condition. If he has a viral infection then it will need to just run it's course as the antibiotics will only treat a bacterial infection. If he stops eating, becomes lethargic, or has any breathing issues then he should be rechecked by a vet.

Upper respiratory infections often are accompanied by watery eyes and once the kitten gets a parenteral antibiotic (liquid amoxicillin) this will also affect and work on the eye infection. So, unless the eyes are very severely infected with lots of pussy discharge, there is no need for an eye ointment or eye drops.

Poor girl. Her current temperature is normal so that is good. I would suggest going back to the vet for another type of antibiotic. It seems the current one is not doing the trick, so another class of antibiotic may be all she needs to get this to clear up. I typically like to use Azithromycin in cats with upper respiratory disease because it is highly effective. You should also get Zazu on an anti-viral supplement daily to help boost her immune system. Look for Lysine powder from your local pet store and this should help her immunity and help prevent flare ups in the future, since most URI's are viral related in cats. I hope that your pet Zazu feels better soon! Take care.

I'm very sorry your kitty is sick. Respiratory infections are very common in kitties and almost all are caused by a virus, not a bacterial infection. Therefore, we do not recommend antibiotics if we are dealing with an upper respiratory infection. There are several things you can do at home though. To help with nasal and sinus congestion symptoms, I recommend using the shower to fill your bathroom with as much warm steamed air as possible and then place your kitty in the room for 10-15 minutes at a time. You can do this several times a day, the goal is to help humidify the air and allow your kitty's nasal passages to drain and clear some. You can also purchase over-the-counter treats or a gel formula containing the amino acid supplement L-lysine made for cats. These can sometimes help clear a viral infection. Follow the label instructions to know how much and how often to give to your kitty. If your kitty stops eating or drinking, you will need to have it examined by your veterinarian to avoid complications such as dehydration.

You can use a humidifier or have Ariel in the bathroom when you take a hot shower. That will help clear her up a little. Also using a warm wet cloth to wipe the discharge from her nose may improve the nasal air flow. I like to add some tuna juice to the food for increased odor if she isn't eating normally as cats often don't eat well when conjested. Be patient she will improve daily. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.