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My cat is coughing with green eye discharge. Is it contagious?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 4 years and 4 months old | 17 lbs

My cat started hacking a couple of days ago, like he had a hair ball, now his eye is watery and oozing green. It started to spread to my other cat today.

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 3rd, 2018

Coughing is often a sign of asthma or other lung inflammation. Eye discharge is often a sign of an upper respiratory infection, especially if your other cat is now showing symptoms as well. Since there is green discharge you should see a veterinarian who can prescribe antibiotics if needed, and potentially take a chest x-ray as well.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 20th, 2017

    This is probably an upper respiratory infection. it's very common in young cats and is very contagious to other cats as well. It is treated with antibiotic eye drops/ointment and oral antibiotics for about 2 weeks. if left untreated many cats will end up blind or even die from the disease. I advise going to your vet asap to start the treatment right away.

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 20th, 2016

    This is probably an upper respiratory infection. it's very common in cats and is very contagious to other cats as well. It is treated with antibiotic eye drops/ointment and oral antibiotics for about 2 weeks. if left untreated many cats will end up blind or even die from the disease. I advise going to your vet asap to start the treatment right away for her, you don't need to take your cats yet if they do not show any symptoms.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 19th, 2018

    This is probably an upper respiratory infection. it's very common in young cats and is very contagious to other cats as well. It is treated with antibiotic eye drops/ointment and oral antibiotics for about 2 weeks. if left untreated many cats will end up blind or even die from the disease. I advise going to your vet asap to start the treatment right away.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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