Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My cat has eye infection, wheezing, and coughing. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered

My cat has eye infection. Also he won't stop wheezing and coughing.

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on June 27th, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Garfield. He is such a handsome, ginger boy! He could have an eye infection or a respiratory infection causing his symptoms. I'm quite concerned he is wheezing and coughing. He sounds pretty sick, and any problem like this plus the eye infection requires an immediate visit to the vet. I would take him into the vet first thing in the morning. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
4 year old male cat, has been sneezing for about 4-5 days. yesterday i noticed him coughing almost like he is gagging and now has red around one eye and it is watering. should i take him to a vet?
Poor guy. He sounds like he may have a severe upper respiratory infection and it is worrisome that he is also coughing. I would most certainly take him in to be seen. The vet will do a proper exam and testing (if needed) to determine the extent of the infection and also to make sure nothing more serious is going on here, such as asthma. I hope Bagotti feels better soon. Getting him seen today is ideal. Best wishes and take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My three-year old longhaired cat was just at the vet on Friday, and on Wednesday he started coughing. He's never coughed before, but this is very persistent and has happened many times today and yesterday. He isn't coughing up phlegm or a hairball, a
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Frodo. Poor boy. It sounds like he could have a respiratory infection. The fact that his cough sounds wheezy is concerning and suggests he's congested. Due to that, it is worth having him checked out by a vet for this. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Lily is happy, acting completely normal, but breathing heavily enough where I can hear him and 3 times today i have heard a wheeze/cough. He is even purring but you can hear in his purr a wheeze
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Lily. He could have a respiratory infection causing his symptoms. He will need to see a vet for this, and I can give you some things you can do at home for him. Please know these things I'm giving you cannot replace a vet visit, and I would see if you can get him into a vet today. 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 hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My male cat is a stray that I feed and bring in my house on cold nights and he didn't come around for 3 days. He showed up today and he is very dirty. His eyes don't look normal and he has a small cough every now and again. I don't know what could be
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! He really looks sick. He most likely suffered some kind of trauma or could have developed an infection. Regardless, this warrants a veterinary evaluation for further assessment as soon as possible as he looks to be in pain or discomfort. They would be able to diagnose his issue to treat him accordingly. I am afraid this cannot be treated at home and he needs veterinary care. Best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello I have a black cat 4 years old and he has clear gunk/discharge coming out of his eye and when he breaths it sounds like he is wheezing only when he is settled though
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be due to an eye injury or conditions such as a corneal laceration, corneal ulcer, conjunctivitis, dry eye (also known as KCS), among many other conditions. The wheezing could be due to a respiratory condition such as asthma or among other lung diseases but it is unlikely to be related to the eye discharge. I highly recommend that you have Tuna evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Further therapy would be based on the findings. Good luck and best wishes!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My kitten is coughing and sneezing and having a little trouble Breathing, is there something I can buy over the counter or do I need to see a vet
Poor Garfunkel. Respiratory troubles always mean a pet should see the veterinarian quickly. Pneumonia or fluid in the lungs are potential problems that can cause trouble breathing and need to be addressed asap. it's always better to play it safe so have Garfunkel see the veterinarian today. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I need help. My baby has swollen eyes I haven’t noticed this before as I was only able to see it now. His eye is swollen (left) and his right eye has double eyelids. He is also sneezing and wheezing. I think he also has a cough. There are no vets nea
I would guess that Greggy has an upper respiratory infection. This can cause eye swelling and discharge from conjunctivitis along with sneezing and nasal discharge. A scratch on the eye might also be possible. If there are absolutely no vets around today (you might want to try travelling to see an emergency vet) then I'd recommend keeping Greggy comfortable until he can see a vet - he may need antibiotics and prescription eye ointment. You should make sure he's eating and drinking - you may want to try offering canned food if his appetite seems decreased.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat Ramesses has been coughing/ wheezing somewhat often. It has happened twice today and it lasts for about two minutes. It happens when he breaths out. It sounds like he is trying to puke but more rougher. It sounds like something is stuck in his
It sounds like Ramesses could have a respiratory infection. I would have him seen by a vet first thing in the morning. If he does have a respiratory infection, the vet can prescribe medication to help with his symptoms. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Just got this kitten. Figure he is about 8 wks old. He has a bad cough wheezing and cold in his eyes What can I do for this baby?
Wiley is very cute! It sounds like he probably has an upper respiratory infection - this is a very common problem in kittens. He will need prescription antibiotics to treat the infection, so I would recommend taking him to the vet for an exam as soon as you are able to. In the meantime, you can use a warm washcloth to gently clean the discharge away from his eyes as often as needed. You can also try bringing him into the bathroom with you while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity often help to relieve nasal congestion and may make him feel a bit better until you are able to see the vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have an 8 week old kitten with an eye infection. It is red an swollen and she coughs and sneezes. What should I do?
Poor Tiny! She has to be seen by a vet immediately. That's because any eye infection should be considered an emergency, as leaving them untreated can lead to vision loss. It also sounds like she has a respiratory infection. I would have a vet on call or an ER vet see her right away. The vet can prescribe her medications for her symptoms to treat them. In conjunction with the medications from the vet, I can give you some things to try at home. Please know that these will not cure the eye infection, nor can they be used as a substitute for seeing the vet. It's extremely important Tiny is treated for her eye infection ASAP. At home, you can try starting her 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
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Cat Supplies Cat Food Cat Eyedrops & Ear Medication Cat Asthma Medication Cat Ear & Eye Care Cat Medicine Vaccines and Shots for Cats Cat Antibiotics Prescription Cat Allergy Medicine Cat Health & Wellness PetAlive Cat Ear & Eye Care Albon Cat Asthma Medication Ventolin Cat Asthma Medication Baytril Cat Asthma Medication Tobramycin Cat Eyedrops & Ear Medication Neo-Poly-Dex Cat Medicine Doxycycline Cat Asthma Medication ProAir Cat Asthma Medication Neo-Poly-Dex Cat Eyedrops & Ear Medication Tobramycin Cat Medicine
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored