Phoenix is sneezing/one eye watering

This started yesterday. It's a bit stressful as we've been to the vet about 8 or so times in the last year. It's really taking a toll and getting old fast. But nothing we can do when our pets are sick. I really don't want to rush him to the vet if there's is a possibility it's nothing serious. He sneezes once in a while (several times a day) and his right eye is watering some.

Has anyone gone through this, if so, what was the outcome?

It sounds like an upper respiratory infection. For the most part they are viral and just have to run their course but sometimes they turn into a secondary bacterial infection and require antibiotics. The eye infection usually need antibiotic ointment. L-Lysine also helps to boost the immune system and fight the herpes virus that is a common cause of URI. I'd highly recommend it. It's also very important to make sure that kitty eats and drinks properly.

I'm wondering though, what have his previous medical issues been about? Has he been around other cats lately where he could have picked up a virus? If he has reoccuring issues it could be something underlying that are causing them. Has he been tested for FIV/FeLV?

As far as going to the vet goes I do think it's a good idea if this is a new thing. However, for a normal healthy cat URI is normally not serious. It's like a cold in humans. It sucks but won't kill you. Now if he gets a fever, bad breathing troubles, gets lethargic and won't eat and drink properly then it is serious and vet care is absolutely necessary. With cats that have reoccuring URI's I just treat with Lysine and any eye issues with Terramycin which is OTC and keep a close eye on them. But with your cat having had so many issues and this is a new one I think an exam is in order.

I've also heard concern from my coworker that he's gone to the vet for a minor issue, only for it to turn into a full blown major one, yet the diagnosis was ultimately that kitty really just needs some rest and TLC. Not only expensive, but we were thinking because the cat travels so poorly that the added stress is likely what makes em a little worse after the return than they might otherwise have been.

So you have to weigh the benefit of just relieving as much stress as possible to aid in healing, versus forcing a cat to endure being shoved in crates, hauled off sloshed around in a loud strange car, and then poked and prodded by strangers in an alien environment with weird scents in the air, just to get the professional opinion which I've heard can even make healthy cats susceptible to upset tummy/bowels and weakened immune system.

http://www.mypeted.com/news/is-stres...ry-10-2011.php

I'd highly recommend putting all the kitties on Lysine for a couple of weeks to help prevent that the problem spreads and clears up quickly for Phoenix. It really works wonders.

Jake has Feline Herpes which causes all kinds of respiratory issues. He has almost a constant left watery eye. Yet, when the infection resurfaces due to stress or changes in the weather, his eye will turn red and tear and he will sneeze up to 50 or more times a day. He is only daily L lysine. We use the pump of Enisyl, but there are also treats available. When he has an outbreak we up the dosage to 2x a day.

He has had to be on antibiotics a few times when the infection gets bacterial. You can keep the eye comfortable with warm or cool compresses. You can also use a saline solution.