My cat's runny eyes & congestion won't clear. Antibiotics failed.
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 10 months and 19 days old | 1lb
My cat always has runny, weepy eyes and really bad nasal congestion. He sneezes huge brown boogers at least once a day. We've tried antibiotics a couple of times but he never gets better. What should I do?
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 20th, 2018
Poor Link! In cats, respiratory infections are typically caused by a virus, so antibiotics won't work. I have a few things you can try at home. First, you can try starting him on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If he's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing him into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections. I would also recommend taking him into the vet tomorrow. An antibiotic ointment could help with his weepy eyes, but those can only be prescribed by a vet. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on March 8th, 2017
How lovely of you to take in this poor kitty and look after him! It is possible based on his symptoms that he does have an upper respiratory infection, and I would have him seen by a vet for this. Medications may be helpful for his symptoms, and the vet can prescribe them for him. There are a few things you can do at home for him. First, you can try starting him on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If he's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing him into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections. It breaks my heart to think of this poor blind kitty all alone outside in the world, but it's so amazing of you to look after him. It's extremely kind of you.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on January 23rd, 2018
Poor Paladin! Unfortunately, it looks like he needs to be on antibiotics for a longer course, possibly 2-3 weeks. You can try benadryl twice a day and L-lysine to help boost his immune system. See link below. If you aren't seeing any improvement soon, I would try to find a way to get him to the vet. I just really worry that without antibiotics that the upper respiratory infection may become pneumonia which will be much harder and much more expensive to treat. If you are able to take him to the vet, I would just be sure to tell them that cost is a concern and that you would like an estimate for any treatment before it is done. If it is too expensive, ask if there are any other options that may not be the BEST option but could still potentially help him. The vet should be able to help come up with a treatment that best fits your needs. I hope this helps and he starts to feel better soon. https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/cat/benadryl/#! https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetri-science-laboratories-vetri-lysine-plus-bite-sized-cat-chews
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Hello my name is Kayla, My cat Bèbè has been sneezing, has a runny nose, watery eyes, and wheezing in her sleep, for over 3 years, we have taken her to the vets office 4 times. They’ve all ruled her condition as a upper respiratory infection, but I
My kitten has weepy eyes and is sneezing what can I give him to help
I recently adopted a new cat from a different country; she developed what seemed like an upper respiratory infection. She had green snot and was sneezing and periodically coughing. She took tablet antibiotics that didn't help much; then they put her
The cat at the ranch I work at has had squinty, watery eyes, and breathes a little raspy. He's more than a year old and has been that way ever since someone dropped him off at the ranch as a kitten. It seems like a cat cold, but then I thought those
Hi. I have a lot of feral and stray kitties I feed. Most have been dumped as I live outside of city limits. A lot of them have goopy eyes, runny noses and are sneezing. Is there an antibiotic powder I could put in the water for them? Any advice you c
my 3 year old cat has been coughing for about 2 weeks -- long coughing spells lasting 2+ minutes but only ca. 3x/day. Started her on oral azithromicin 4 days ago. Her coughing spells are shorter but continue. 2x she has coughed/vomited out mucus. Alw
My cat makes a low volume mix of cough and sneeze, and also very little eye discharge, this symptoms continued over three months, my local vet gave her antibiotics and anti allergic medications. But the symptoms appear again. I dont know what to do
Our female, spayed cat is sick with congestion, runny eyes, seems like bad cold or upper respiratory ? Never before. Makes noise when breathing. Still keeping her hydrated & eating wet tuna. Can tell she's miserable. How serious if not treated w me
We just adopted a one year old male domestic medium shorthair a week ago yesterday. He was nuetured on the 10th, 1 day before we got him. He has had a cold for 3 days. Still eating, drinking, pooping, peeing and playing. He sneezes a little but is mo
My 4 month old cat has always been nasally, he tends to be kind of snorty when he is breathing and often times has a runny nose. He also has always had a lot eye boogers. Other than this he is perfectly fine and eating and drinking normally. He has h
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
