Chronic Upper Respitory Infections?

Yesterday Maui went to the vet because his third eyelids were showing & he had started sneezing... Today I'm wondering if we all have ringworm but that issue won't be resolved until tomorrow...

But this is his third URI since we got him in August... he had one when we brought him home and he was put on Amoxicylin (sp!). Then about 2 weeks later it came back so he was put on Clavamox... Now this time he's on Clavamox again...

Is there something I should be doing to help prevent him from getting URI's? Even if it's changing food, vacuuming more, sterilizing everything, etc... if I can help my poor little guy I will!

Anything around that keeps him stressed?
Is your home warm enough, is he chilled?
Too humid?

Has his vet ruled out any immune deficiency?

Anything around that keeps him stressed?

Well... I suppose the kittens could be stressing him, at least maybe at first. They've been out in the main part of the house (before they were secluded in the bathroom) since Sept. 27th and everyone is getting along fine now. He hasn't seemed stressed at all though. I can't really think of anything else that would be stressing him either.


Is your home warm enough, is he chilled?

I think it's warm enough- I'm usually freezing and I've been comfortable with where the temp has been at since we've turned on the heat a few weeks ago. Plus we have lots of blankets & warm spots that he can sleep in if he does get too cold... How do you tell if a cat is cold?


Too humid?

I don't think it's too humid- how do you really know? Our windows don't get steamy or anything.


Has his vet ruled out any immune deficiency?

One possible thing is that the kittens tested FIV+ when we first found them, however they have not been back for a second test yet. They had one when they were about 4 or 5 weeks old and now they are about 11 weeks- do you think this is enough time for a false positive from the antibodies of their moms milk to go away? They have an appt on Tuesday so I might have them re-tested then, otherwise I was planning on waiting until they are neutered. Maui was having URI troubles before we got the kittens, this is only his first one since they've moved in...

Sounds like no stressors or environmental issues, I'd look into immune deficiency, or possibly checking him for exsisting lung conditions that haven't made themselves known yet, like allergies or asthma.

As for the kittens, I can't answer, I would go with what your vet suggests there.

He may just have a weak immune system though, not completely unheard of.
My RB cat cost me more than I care to consider with all of his many minor ailments over the years.

You might look into supplimenting him with an immune system booster, something I have no experience with, but I know a lot of other posters have.

Oh yeah!! I have that Lysine stuff.... I gave it to him for the first time on Saturday and he liked it- licked it right off my finger! Can't get much easier than that

I suppose I need to get with the program and get into the routine of giving it to him daily...

My poor little muffin- he probably is just more susceptible to that kind of stuff... I guess I will continue with the Lysine and see how that helps!

You can also get the plain ol' L-Lysine tablets in the vitamin section at Wal-Mart and crush them up in his food. I give my kitty 1 (500mg) tablet a day. When her allergies are acting up or her eyes are extremely watery, she gets 2 tablets a day. This is my kitty who was so sick with an URI when we brought her home from the shelter that she had to spend a week at the vets!

Stephanie