Runny nose, sneezing and now eye is tearing. Help

renie

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Milly is 4 years old.  I got her when she was 3.  She came from the home of a hoarder who passed away leaving 9 cats.  By the time they got into the house, 2 weeks had elapsed and 2 of the 9 had died.  Millie weighed about 6 pounds.  She now weighs 10. Millie has medium long hair and looks like a small coon cat, but of course, she is a mixture.  She has been sneezing since I got her.  We gave her anti-biotic shots (which last for 2 weeks) then switched to the pink powder anti-biotic which I mixed with water and gave to her for about 4 months.  The sneezing improved, but never stopped.  The vet tells me her lungs are not teriffic.  We stopped the medication in the summer when she seemed to be doing much better, however, since the weather has gotten colder, she is sneezing again.  The discharge is thick and grayish to pale yellow and often congeals and blocks her nostrils.  I also see some pink in the discharge so she may be bleeding a bit.  I took her back to the vet a few weeks ago and they gave her another anti-biotic shot and one for allergies, however, they had no effect on her condition.  Just 2 days ago, I noticed that her left eye is now tearing.   Her sneezing is less violent and she seems to be blowing her nose most of the time now, rather than sneezing.  She is a very sweet and loving animal.  She is the third cat i have owned and has the sweetest nature.  She is just a lap cat.  Can anyone tell me what I might do to help her?  She   is a noisy breather.  Is there some way to relieve her congestion?  Thanks for any help you can give.
 

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What did the Vet mean by her lungs not being terrific? It sounds like a cold or URI. Did you receive any antibiotics to administer at home?  If not, get in touch with the Vet as another visit may be needed. The discharge sounds like it may be an infection.

My Vet had me using Chlortabs antihistamine on my cat during her URI. The dose for my 9 lb cat was 1/2 tab twice a day. He also suggested either a saline solution or Little Noses nasal spray. Good luck with that. A humidifier or humid room (shower) may give her some relief. The amino acid L-Lysine is often recommended for chronic cases.

If she is congested, she make stop eating. Monitor that closely.
 
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renie

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The vet did not elaborate on the lung situation.  She received about 3 anti-biotic shots from him (1 every 2 weeks) and then we switched and for 4 months, gave her anti-biotics orally.  She did improve a bit, but never stopped sneezing and the vet said that in some cats, the condition is chronic.  I have spent a fortune at the vet and she doesn't seem to be any better.  Will try your suggestions.  The vet    seems to think that all this is because of the filthy house she was raised in with 9 other cats.  She also seems to have a yeast infection in one ear.  I keep cleaning it, but it does not seem to want to leave.  Thanks for all your help. 
 
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renie

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Update - Took Millie to the vet on Monday.  She seems to think Millie has a yeast infection because it affects only one eye and is worse in one nostril.  Anyhow, we are now on doxycycline - 1/4 of a 100 mg pill a day.  She also suggested I feed her a gluten free diet so I bought Taste of the Wild wet and dry.  I'm mixing the dry with her old stuff for a few days, but must say that she loves the wet and is eating more of it than her old food.  Has anyone had experience with Taste of the Wild?  The vet said that or Wellness.  Which is better?  Wonder how long it will take for the doxycycline to do it's job.  I'm just praying that this will be the cure for our sweet Millie.
 

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Good job on Taste of the Wild!  We feed our crew the green bag of dry; we've never fed the wet.  We do feed them Innova EVO canned, though, another good grain-free food.

Did the vet give you any eye drops for the eye?  Do you give her L-Lysine? 
 
 

txcatmom

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Do you give her L-Lysine?
I'd try this with any cat that has kitty colds or eye problems.  Those are often (but not always) caused by the feline herpes virus.  L-lysine specifically fights that virus.  We use it with our cat that have kitty colds and eye problems.  I really think it helps.  Here's the powder we use.  They love it sprinkled over their food....

 

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Hmm... an antibiotic for a yeast infection?  Antibiotics will actually make yeast infections worse.  
 
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renie

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The vet did not give me eye drops or L-lysine.  Since she's on the doxycycline, should I be adding the L-lysine without the vets say so?  A little history.  Millie came from a house where there were 9 cats and the owner was a hoarder.  The owner died and it took them 2 weeks to get the rest of the cats out of the house.  Two of them had died.  I got her history from her first vet who treated her when she was still a kitten and who had given her a Bordatella shot.  I have checked the ASPCA website and found that cats can get bordatella if they're kept in crowded conditions.  I have concluded from that that some of this woman's cats were infected and possibly Millie was ill with sneezing and runny nose from early on so the vet thought he was doing the right thing.  Will check out the Innova.  She does seem to like the Taste of the Wild wet food.  She preferred dry food previous to the Taste of the Wild being offered.  When she came to me over a year ago, she weighed only about 6 lbs.  She now weighs 10.8 lbs.  She is not a large cat either and probably was the runt of the liter.  Thanks for your help.  If you think of anything else I can do to help her, please let me know.  Also, thanks for the website for the L-lysine.
 

txcatmom

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Since she's on the doxycycline, should I be adding the L-lysine without the vets say so? 
You could call and ask if that makes you more comfortable.  The vet tech could probably answer or call you back with the vet's answer.  My vet recommended it at the same time she prescribed antibiotics (and another vet prescribed doxycycline while she knew I was using l-lysine)....but I can certainly understand wanting to check with your own vet.  Herpes is such a common thing for cats to be exposed to.  Even if she does have a problem with bordatella, herpes could be a factor as well.  If you notice no improvement with the l-lysine you could always discontinue use.  (There is a test for feline herpes, by the way, but many vets and pet owners just sort of treat the symptoms without doing the official test.  If the l-lysine seems to help, then it was probably the herpes virus causing the problem.) 
 
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renie

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Thank you for your advice.  As long as I know other  cats on the doxycycline are also on the L-lysine, I'm okay.  I was concerned because some medications can lower the efficiency of an antibiotic.  Are there clear instructions with the L-lysine so I'll know how much to give her?  To be honest, I think she's a bit better today.  Nose not running as much and no sneezing!  Now that I've said that, watch her start sneezing again.  I wonder if she was allergic to her food.  She seems to like this new food much better.  Will order the L-lysine.  Thank you again.
 
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renie

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Thanks.  I'm going to order it.
 
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renie

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I am very happy to report that Millie has stopped sneezing and her eye is dry and so is her nose.  The doxicycline seems to be doing the trick after only a week.  I've washed all bedding, cloroxed her litter box so she won't be reinfected.  Also have been feeding her only Taste of the Wild wet and dry and wonder of wonders, she likes it!  I did order the L-lysene and once it arrives, will start her on it.  Does anyone know how much to give her each day?  

Thank you all for your good advice.  I truly appreciate it and i'm certain Millie does too!
 

txcatmom

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The lysine container (if you ordered the one for cats linked above) gives the dose for adult cats and kittens.  I thought the dose seemed a little high.  I've taken to giving a bit less to prevent problems and a bit more if I notice sneezing or squinty eyes.  My vet suggested doing 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off for prevention, but every time I try that someone starts sneezing.  Anyways, use the instructions on the package as a guideline and it wouldn't hurt to see what your vet suggests as a dosage next time you are in. 

Just looked...for a kitten under 6 months it suggests 1/2 a scoop twice per day which is 250 mg twice per day for a total of 500 mg per day.  (A scoop comes in the package.)
 
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renie

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Thank you so very much.  You have no idea how happy I am that Millie seems so much better.  I hope the L-lysine arrives soon so she can remain healthy.  She's a very sweet girl and seems to be getting her vim and vigor back now.  I want to keep it that way.
 

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If you get the powder, a 1/4 t = 500mg.  If your kitty is having an active flare up (sneezing, weepy eyes) give a full 1/4t twice a day.  For maintenance (no symptoms), give half that dose twice a day.  Lysine is excreted when kitties urinate and the key is keeping it in their system, so it's important to give it to your kitty twice daily.
 
 
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renie

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Great!  Thank you.  I received an e-mail day before yesterday that the L-lysine was sent USPS so should have it within a few days.  I wrote down the dosages you gave me and while she's doing well, I don't think she's 100% yet.  I still have 20 days of doxicycline and as long as she tolerates it, will finish that out too.  Have also been disinfecting the things she comes in  contact with so there's no recurrance.  I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see her with a dry nosel!
 

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I have rescued 30-40 cats in the last 4-5 months. I have had this same issue. Which is generally an upper respiratory infection due to her being in an environment with soo many cats. It is similar to a common cold in humans. Usually will not pose life threatening symptoms but is bothersome & not always responsive to antibiotics. We usually do 7-10 day amoxicillin but do treat all felines in the house. Best of luck
 
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renie

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We got Millie when she was about 3 1/2.  Yes, from a house with 9 cats which was none too clean.  The vet gave her shots of antibiotics, but they did no good.  Then we switched to amoxicillin and I mixed the powder with water.  She took that religiously for over four months - seemed to improve so we stopped the meds and she was somewhat better all summer, but never cured.  In late November, she got worse and the vet gave her another shot of antibiotic.  She was once again slightly better.  I was resigned to the fact that it was probably chronic and uncurable, then her eye started to tear.  She is now on doxicycline which seems to be working.  Her nose is dry except for every now and then when one nostril seems a slight bit weepy.  Her eye is dry and she is playful and more active than she's ever been.  We switched her to grain free foods which she seems to like better too.  I'm praying that when I finish the doxicycline in 28 more days, she will remain well.  I also ordered L-lysine for her.  My vet called to check up on her yesterday and I asked her about it.  She said that all cat foods  contain L-lysine, but it would not hurt if I wanted to give her a bit more. 
 

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I am glad Millie is feeling better.  I adopted my 5 month old kitten Apollo from a local rescue.  He was pulled from the county shelter.  He was only in the shelter for about 10 days.  Part of his adoption fee included a free health check-up within 7 days of adoption.  I took him to the vet for his check-up and mentioned to the vet that he was sneezing and itching his ears.  He was put on antibiotics for a URI and given ear meds for ear-mites,  He has stopped sneezing completely and is done with the antibiotics now.  He is done with his ear meds on Saturday.  I steamed up the bathroom and hung out in there with him a few times a day and it really helped with the congestion. 

He was in the shelter for such a short time that he still needed his final de-worming and Distemper booster.  I paid for them myself out of pocket.  I adopted Apollo the day he was pulled by the rescue.  The copies I got at the adoption site for his medical records were not readable and I contacted the rescue and asked for clear copies so the vet could read them.  The rescue was surprised when they looked at his paperwork and realized he was not fully vaccinated yet.  It was supposed to be covered in the adoption fee but I told them I was fine with paying for the final vaccine and de-worming myself. Someone offered to contact the vet and try to get me a discount but I told them it was not necessary.
 
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