Kitty with URI-like symptoms

Okay, so I adopted a kitten a month or so ago - her name is Coco and she is 4 months old.  She had parasites which I resolved in a week or so by giving her the last round of medication.  She was healthy. She also received her rabies and FVR vaccine 2 weeks ago.

Over this past weekend, we brought home another kitten from the animal shelter (Bourbon - 9 weeks old) and the shelter assured us he is healthy.  This was very important to us because we live in a one bedroom apartment and don't have a lot of space to keep them separate, although we did keep him separate in case.  He was in his own crate and I kept Coco out of his room.  She slipped in once or twice briefly but I got her out!

So Bourbon started getting sick the same night we brought him home - he started sneezing, coughing, vomiting his food and didn't eat.  He was crying all night long.  We took him to the vet next day to find out he has a URI.  The vet gave us medication for him.  At the same time, I also noticed Coco was sneezing here and there the next day. 

I don't know how it's possible for her to have caught something so soon - in a period of one night?! I took her to the vet and the vet said although he can't say she has a URI (no discharge from her eyes, mouth, etc.), he did prescribe lysine powder as a preventative measure.  She's still sneezing here and there though - I wonder what could be the cause?

I don't want this to be detrimental to her health Does lysine powder help clear sneezing? Also, if she was already vaccinated (FVR) then is it possible to still contract something?

I have never used L-Lysine powder myself. I can however tell you that URI's are contageous based on personal experience. One of my cats shared a URI with my other 3 very quickly just like you are describing. I would contact the vet and let them know your other kitty is now sneezing. I would take the other kitty to the vet for a check-up in case she is sick too. Until you can talk to your vet you can try doing steam treatments for both kitties. Run your shower as hot as possible and steam up the bathroom. Take both the kitties in the bathroom for 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a day. This will help break-up the congestion.

As long as Coco is eating, drinking and eliminating normally the steam treatment may be enough to keep it from getting worse. If she stops eating please get her to the vet.

L-Lysine is an immune booster, that's probably why your Vet advised Coco start taking it. 

How are they both doing?

catlover73 said:

I have never used L-Lysine powder myself. I can however tell you that URI's are contageous based on personal experience. One of my cats shared a URI with my other 3 very quickly just like you are describing. I would contact the vet and let them know your other kitty is now sneezing. I would take the other kitty to the vet for a check-up in case she is sick too. Until you can talk to your vet you can try doing steam treatments for both kitties. Run your shower as hot as possible and steam up the bathroom. Take both the kitties in the bathroom for 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a day. This will help break-up the congestion.

As long as Coco is eating, drinking and eliminating normally the steam treatment may be enough to keep it from getting worse. If she stops eating please get her to the vet.

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Yeah, the first thing I did was take Coco to the vet after she sneezed.  As I mentioned he prescribed her lysine powder.  He said she didn't have a URI but wanted her to take lysine as a preventative measure because she had been sneezing here and there.

Luckily her sneezing has stopped and she seems fine!

mrsgreenjeens said:

 
L-Lysine is an immune booster, that's probably why your Vet advised Coco start taking it. 

How are they both doing?

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Coco is doing great and it turns out she doesn't have a URI However, Bourbon I had to give to my relative because he has a URI and we are in a one bedroom apartment, therefore unable to keep them separated easily.

Hopefully Coco stays healthy and all is well!

Okay, I take back what I said.  Coco has nasal discharge and she just seems lethargic in general - not eating as well either.  She had diarrhea this morning, too. I called the vet and asked him if the lysine powder he had prescribed as a preventative measure was sufficient given now that she was exhibiting clear symptons of a URI.  He said it's up to me if I want to bring her in or not (??). 

I just don't know if lysine powder is enough to cure her alone.  I don't want her suffering or it getting serious. Should I bring her back to the vet? I made an appointment for this evening.