upper res. inf.

I think my two cats might have a bit of a cold....they sneeze occasionally and their eyes and noses seem to water. It doesn't appear to be anything horrible or life-risking. Will this probably clear up on its own, like human colds do?

at the least call the vet on call or local er vet clinic...

One of my cats has doing that, too. I hurt my back and haven't been able to get her to the vet.

Q: What is feline upper respiratory infection?
A: Feline upper respiratory infection (URI) is a highly contagious disease affecting the nasal passages and sinuses of cats and kittens.

Q: How is it transmitted?
A: Feline URI is transferred between cats by fluid discharged from the mouths and noses of infected cats. Cats shed the virus through the air by sneezing, coughing, or breathing; or by direct physical contact with cages, toys, food bowls, even the hands and clothes of people. Cats who have previously had the disease are often “silent carriersâ€.


Q: What are the signs?
A: Symptoms of feline URI include sneezing; fever; runny nose or red, watery eyes; nasal congestion; and ulcers on the tongue, gums, lips, nose, or roof of mouth. Symptoms are generally mild at first and worsen within one to three days. The incubation period (the time period between infection and the first signs of illness) lasts from 2 to 17 days. The illness typically lasts from one to four weeks.


Q: Which cats get it?
A: Any cat who is stressed by overcrowding, poor nutrition, cold or heat, age, or fear. Cats who are especially at risk for infection include unvaccinated cats, kittens (because they have immature immune systems), and cats whose immune systems are compromised by another disease, such as feline leukemia (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), cancer, malnutrition, or parasites.


Q: How is feline URI treated?
A: Feline URI is easily treatable even though there are no drugs available to kill the feline URI viruses. Treatment of feline URI is aimed at strengthening the catâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s body and immune system to help the animal fight the virus, and usually consist of vitamins, good nutrition, and good nursing care. Infected cats may stop eating or drinking, and may require special therapy to combat dehydration and malnutrition. The disease can lead to fatal pneumonia if medical care is not provided. A few cats may have chronic (long-lasting) symptoms and some symptoms may recur whenever the cat is stressed or ill.


Q: How is feline URI prevented?
A: Feline URI cannot be totally prevented; many cats will enter the shelter already infected. Sanitation programs, health evaluations, isolation, vaccinations and deworming all play a part in the control of feline URI.

Thanks for the FAQ! My cats are kittens, were recently in crowded foster care, and just moved so I suppose that what they have. As they're already getting great nutrition and are being quite pampered if I say so myself, I'll mention it to the vet at their neuter surgery but won't rush over there. They're eating just fine and don't seem to be in bad shape at all.

I have a kitten who has just recovered from a URI and another that I am treating (contagious>>VERY)... It was a little scary because they dont like to eat because they can't smell their food plus they get lethargic, or so my 4mo. old did.. my adult cat is faring abit better... I treated my kitten Merlin with amoxycillin and he is making a full recovery... I just started treating my adult cat Tripper and expect him to recover as well... Good Luck... !

My kitty Rocky has permanent damage from bouts with URI's caused by herpes. When we got him from the shelter he had an corneal ulcer on his eye, and it has never gone away. It doesn't cause him any pain but I'm sure it affects his vision. He also has some permanent damage to his lungs and chronic runny nose. He gets sick still on occasion and it can get pretty expensive w/ vet bills and medicine. I have probably spent over 1,000 dollars more on vet bills on this cat at age 18 months than on my other fairly healthy cat at age 2. Don't get me wrong though, he is worth every penny.

If you want my advice I would get the kitties treated ASAP b/c you don't want a chronic problem.