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My cat has recurring upper respiratory colds. Is it herpes virus?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 9 lbs

i have two cats that were feral and now live indoor outdoor. i've gotten them their basic shots (rabies, FiV, etc). they keep coming down with an upper respiratory cold, however - about every 3 months, after the effects of the last anitibiotic shot i've gotten for them wears off. what's an effective treatment strategy to get rid of the upper respiratory cold once and for all? i'm giving them lysine treats to boost their immune systems, but it only buys time til the cold comes back

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 27th, 2019

It's probably not a "cold". It is most likely herpes virus. If it is herpes virus, it will never go completely away. They will have recurring episodes. All you can do to minimize future episodes it is to reduce stress. You can try some Feliway diffusers, they may help. You can continue with the lysine but it has not really shown to be that effective in studies. There is another immune booster you can try though that seems to work pretty well. The link is below. ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-herpesvirus-infection-or-feline-viral-rhinotracheitis ) ( https://www.feliway.com/us/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Diffuser ) ( https://www.petwellbeing.com/products/immune-sure-for-feline-immune-system-support )

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