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Why is my cat with a URI doing hiccup-like sneezes and swallowing?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 11 months and 19 days old | 7.7 lbs

My cat Cece has a URI. I took her to the vet yesterday within a few hours of her getting symptoms. She was just diagnosed with a URI and given amoxicillin. Today her symptoms have set in and she's sneezing but also doing these little "sneezes" that almost sound like hiccups. She's also been swallowing a lot when she does these sneezes and she also kind of jumps a little. What could they be?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Claudia Fioravanti

Veterinarian

Published on March 20th, 2019

Poor Cece, it does sound like she has an Upper respiratory tract infection. This could be viral and therefore there is not a lot we tend to prescribe in terms of medications, as the body will fight the infection in 7-10 days. You just need to make sure she is kept indoors and clean her nose/eyes regularly if getting crusty, encourage her to eat with strong smelling food, like fish for example, if she is not eating her normal diet. Hope this helps !

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

  • Image profile

    Answered By Claudia Fioravanti

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Poor Cece, it does sound like she has an Upper respiratory tract infection. This could be viral and therefore there is not a lot we tend to prescribe in terms of medications, as the body will fight the infection in 7-10 days. You just need to make sure she is kept indoors and clean her nose/eyes regularly if getting crusty, encourage her to eat with strong smelling food, like fish for example, if she is not eating her normal diet. Hope this helps !

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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