How to lessen URI occurences

My 10 moth old male (fixed) domestic short hair, Amadeus is prone to frequent upper respiratory infections - kitty colds.

He was adopted from a shelter in August at 6 months BUT I have had him as a foster since he was only 2 months old. During the shot time he was at the shelter he, like all the other cats contracted an upper respiratory infection which cleared up quickly but he has had about 3 more since then. The usually only last for a week or two but his current URI has been going on for about a month.

I know that the virus that is causing his URI's is a virus which he will never be rid of, but I want to try and lessen the frequency of them. I don't want my kitty to feel sick all the time.

He still eats, drinks, sleeps and plays but his face is really dirty with the discharge from his eyes even though I clean it. He actually has a bit of a sore right now by his eye.

Is there any vitamins etc... that can help with the frequency of URI's. I would prefer not putting him on medication, as would his vet, I prefer using natural products etc...

There is an immunosupport supplement (it is Rx but very affordable, made by Centaur) you can give them as well as L-Lysine

There is also an ointment they can give you for his eye to stop it getting crusty

As far as general things, ventilation is important, especially as the temps drop and people dont open windows as much, while ensuring that they are still warm and using a humidifier can help lessen the symptoms when he is having a URI outbreak

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

There is an immunosupport supplement (it is Rx but very affordable, made by Centaur) you can give them as well as L-Lysine

There is also an ointment they can give you for his eye to stop it getting crusty

As far as general things, ventilation is important, especially as the temps drop and people dont open windows as much, while ensuring that they are still warm and using a humidifier can help lessen the symptoms when he is having a URI outbreak

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Thanks, I'll look into it. I will have to make an appointment with the vet (he has to go for another issue anyways) and see if I can get what your recommended.

Do you by any chance know what the ointment is called, for his eye? This is what it looked like a few days ago, its gotten better but still looks a bit sore. (He was insisting on standing close to the camera)

There are a couple of different ones, BNP, BNP-N and a Tretraycline ointment. I am really not sure how the vet chooses which cats use which one but we typically have cats on each of them at the shelter.

It does look sore so I would definitely ask the vet for something for it, their eye can become infected from a URI outbreak causing them to lose either eyesight or in some extreme cases their eye so we are especially careful with eye involvement for URI

Thanks. I'll check into it.

Looking closely at the sore, I think the hair is gone. I am thinking maybe he wiped his eye and the crust ripped the hair out. It seems to be clearing up well, though. I'll just keep cleaning it and I will have my mother make the appointment.

Originally Posted by Sumaii

I know that the virus that is causing his URI's is a virus which he will never be rid of, but I want to try and lessen the frequency of them. I don't want my kitty to feel sick all the time.

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Which virus is causing the URIs? Knowing that will make a difference in treatment

I agree with Snake Lady. Has he been tested for FeLV/FIV?

Herpes? Calcivirus?

None of those are curable, but herpes is controllable with L-lysine, an amino acid supplement. L-lysine also helps boost the immune system, so no matter what his trouble is, the l-lysine can't hurt, and may help.

Some cats with chronic eye problems develop an intolerance to any kind of treatment in their eyes. (My Tolly for example, he has herpes which is controlled with l-lysine)

I have one more recommendation. A second opinion from another vet, or ask your own vet for a referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist specialist.

Please keep us updated on your beloved (what's his name?)

I have foster kitties constantly coming and going from my house so I seem to be fighting a constant battle against URIs also. I agree that the red spot looks like you just scratched off some hair--I did the exact same thing to one of my kittens last night. I use L-lysine supplements and a humidifier. For really bad eye discharge I have Tobramycin eyedrops.

Thank you for your suggestions.

I am not sure what type of virus it is all I know is it cause URI and can remain dormant(his first cold came from the shelter). He has not been tested for anything else.

Originally Posted by Sumaii

Thank you for your suggestions.

I am not sure what type of virus it is all I know is it cause URI and can remain dormant(his first cold came from the shelter). He has not been tested for anything else.

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Ok, I thought the exact same thing as you did. Unless the shelter performed the URI testing panel, they cannot say that with any certainty.

I had ongoing URI probs, and finally listened to a member on here, and got one of my cats tested. The test itself is not cheap, but it is worth it in the long run. Call your vet and ask how much the feline URI panel testing is.... and get it done if you can.

The reason I'm pushing this is because I thought the same thing as you stated above, then with the test I found out that my cat(s) had mycoplasma felis which does NOT respond to the usual antibiotics. They were all put on the same antibiotic for 4 wks...... for the first time ever, NOONE has had URI symptoms in a couple months which after dealing with URI for 8mos, I find remarkable.

It is worth the money for the test. (They take a swab from the back of the throat, nasal swab and blood)

Originally Posted by Snake_Lady

Ok, I thought the exact same thing as you did. Unless the shelter performed the URI testing panel, they cannot say that with any certainty.

I had ongoing URI probs, and finally listened to a member on here, and got one of my cats tested. The test itself is not cheap, but it is worth it in the long run. Call your vet and ask how much the feline URI panel testing is.... and get it done if you can.

The reason I'm pushing this is because I thought the same thing as you stated above, then with the test I found out that my cat(s) had mycoplasma felis which does NOT respond to the usual antibiotics. They were all put on the same antibiotic for 4 wks...... for the first time ever, NOONE has had URI symptoms in a couple months

which after dealing with URI for 8mos, I find remarkable.

It is worth the money for the test. (They take a swab from the back of the throat, nasal swab and blood)

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In addition to the above excellent advice, he needs to be tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS (FeLV/FIV). These diseases, while fatal, do not mean an immediate death sentence, but it is important to know what you are dealing with.

A cat with either of these diseases will need special care, so the sooner you find out, the better.

I'll inform my mother and have her make the appointment ASAP.

He has also been having diarrhea and pooping often. At first I thought it was the food, so I recently changed it (slowly) but it doesn't seem to be helping.

He eats and drinks etc... all the normal cat stuff.

Originally Posted by Sumaii

Thanks, I'll look into it. I will have to make an appointment with the vet (he has to go for another issue anyways) and see if I can get what your recommended.

Do you by any chance know what the ointment is called, for his eye? This is what it looked like a few days ago, its gotten better but still looks a bit sore. (He was insisting on standing close to the camera)

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oh, so sorry little boy!
hope he gets better real soon!

First of all, if his nasal discharge is yellow or green, or some color other than clear oozing out of his eye, ask the doctor to take a swab of it and have a culture and sensitivity test done on it. This will give you an accurate diagnosis of the infection and what medication will best treat it.

Secondly, ask your vet to do the IDEXX Real Feline PCR URD test to test for herpes as well as several other illnesses. It's extremely accurate and doesn't take very long to collect the specimen for testing and it's not all that expensive. It cost us about $75 for the test.

Here's the info from IDEXX about the test. Scroll down to the bottom and click on the Feline Upper Respiratory Diseases (Feline URD). Click on that and it'll tell you what the test will check for. Print it off and take it with you to the vet.
http://www.idexx.com/view/xhtml/en_u...sts&SSOTOKEN=0

Also, print off this page and take it with you, just in case your vet doesn't know what you're talking about.
http://www.idexx.com/pubwebresources...-urd-panel.pdf

In addition to adding lysine to the diet, and your kitty is diagnosed with herpes, you can also switch to a grain-free diet. The arginine in the grain in most foods causes herpes to replicate, thus causing flare ups. Also, decreasing the amount of stress and upheaval in your home can help since many illnesses are triggered by stress. You may not think it's stressful, but it could be to your kitty.

The vet does need to address the eye situation. I looks raw from the drainage and painful for your guy. Has he been rubbing it a lot?

Call around about the tests too, I know the prices of the vets in my city can vary by over $100 for some routine stuff!

I found lysiene treats online, google it, then you don't have to worry about crushing the pills up.

L-Lysine here, all my kitties get in the water fountain, and Bugsy gets extra in the food. This is the one I get - it is EXCELLENT, as it is flavorless, can be mixed to wet food, or to water... and the value is great too - for two cats it lasts well over a year (1 Jar supplies 822 doses of 500mg)

For the eyes I use Terramicyn ointment - I always have it home in case I need it. Ask your vet about it. In some States it is prescription, in others it isn't, but in any case you should ask your vet about it. It works well for Bugsy.

most lysines have little to no flavor ... outside the fancy paste that I got off amazon for 1/4 the price the vet charged... three of mine eat the powder no prob two need the paste
PRIOR to self medicating seek a vets advice ... and see what the real issue is [

L-Lysine powder - also in capsule form, check out this website for the reviews.

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-L-Lys...sules/661?at=0

I get all my supplements from this website - when you order a certain amount, (over $40) you get free shipping or $4.00 for ground - which knocks down the actual cost of the supplement.

Originally Posted by GloriaJH

L-Lysine powder - also in capsule form, check out this website for the reviews.

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-L-Lys...sules/661?at=0

I get all my supplements from this website - when you order a certain amount, (over $40) you get free shipping or $4.00 for ground - which knocks down the actual cost of the supplement.

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Yep - I also get mine from here - but Amazon is cheaper at the moment (it changes back and forth)... If you see it, the brand is the same, Now foods.
Also, one tip: The powder is cheaper than the capsule, and it does make sense to be - you are not paying for the capsules, or the labor involved...
Same cost, you get a pound of powder, with 822doses of 500mg instead of 250 you would get in the capsules