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Why is my rescue cat wheezing with bad breath after feline herpes?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 4 lbs

My rescue kitty makes a wheezing sound when breathing. Along with that, she has a really bad breath. She was treated for feline herpes. What could be the cause of this?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 13th, 2016

She may have mouth ulcers (form the herpes infection or an additional calicivirus infection) that are infected. These would cause her to have a bad breath. You need to take her back to the vet for a mouth exam. These ulcers can be very painful and keep her from eating properly. In the meantime I suggest you feed her canned food. The wheezing sound is from an upper respiratory infection also caused by herpes and/or calicivirus.

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2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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