Two cats with URI

Question
Hi Jessica,

I have been giving the ointment to my small kitten Gizmo and his eyes are much better. He seems to be getting past the URI. I started giving both cats, L'Lysine as they do have the herpes virus and I heard it would help in the long run. I have also given them Vitamin C supplement to boost up their imune system.

Gizmo is doing fine, however Simba is still fighting the virus Her symptoms have not changed (sneezing, drippy eyes) except her the white in her eyes is red and seems uncomfortable. She has also started limping a bit (not sure if she hurt one of her paws). She is not very active unless she wants to play with Gizmo. She seems to have a harder time walking and won't run around like her usual self. Also when we pick her up she whines all the time as if it hurts. Should I be worried or is it just a symptom that she has a bit of fever and is sore all over. She is still eating ok and drinking water. I hate going to the vet for every little thing, as the two of them have already cost a bit in the last few weeks. Just wondering if you were familiar with this.

Thanks,

Chantal

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Followup To
Question -

Hi Jessica,

Thanks for the answer. It will be very helpful. I was prescribed BNP eye ointment for Simba, as she was nicked close to the eye witha claw and the ointment was prescribed to make sure the swelling and infection would go away. I'm just wondering if that would do for Gizmo.  I am not sure if you are familiar with it. Gizmo is very small (1.2 pounds) so I don't want to use something that would be too strong for him.

Thanks, Chantal
Answer -
I haven't heard of anything with the brand name BNP.  But I'm guessing it probably stands for bacitracin, neomycin, polymyxin.  The ingredients should be on the tube.  If these are the only active ingredients listed, it's fine to use on Gizmo.  Safe even for kittens just days old.  The only concern would be if there is a steroid added, which will also be listed in the active ingredients.  In eye ointment, it's usually hydrocortisone.  If hydrocortisone is listed, it's not safe to use until a vet checks the eye to make sure no ulcer or scratch is present.
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Followup To
Question -
Hi,

I have a 9 month old cat (Simba)and an 8 week old kitten (Gizmo). I brought Gizmo home last week and he seemed fine. I introduced him to my other cat and now I have two cats with URI. Simba had it badly when she was a small kitten and took penicilin for cats to get rid of it. She had a mild reoccurence around four months of age but it went away on its own. Should I seperate them now so that they can both get better or will they get better even if I don't seperate them. I try to keep them away from each other but it is really hard, as I hear constant whining from both of them. They love to be together and are very curious of each other. I seperate them when I am not at home and when we go to bed at night so that Simba won't hurt him when we're not watching.

I saw the vet with Gizmo and he said there were no secondary bacteria so he should fight it easily. He said Simba should be old enough to fight it on her own. Both their symptoms right now are drippy eyes and sneezing/coughing. There is no yellow discharge from the nose as of yet. They both eat well and are still active. Simba is more mellow but she was like that the other times that she got it.

Finally, Gizmo because of his URI wakes up sometime with his eyes stuck together and I have to wash them with water to get them to open up. His eyes are really dry in the morning and then get wet from the infection during the day. I wonder if there is something I can put on his eyes so that they do not stick like that and stay lubricated because I would hate for that to happen when he is alone during the day.

Thanks in advance.
Answer -
Hi Chantal.  Since the vet has indicated there is no bacteria to be fought with an antibiotic, I would ask the vet about a decongestant.  SOME over-the-counter products for human children are fine to use with cats.  See if your vet will recommend a safe one with an appropriate dosage.  This should help them feel better.

As for Gizmo's eyes, if they're sealing shut, I would recommend to sort of push the vet for an ointment.  An antibiotic eye ointment really poses no risk, and my vets always prescribe one if any type of crusting on the eye is present.  Or,you can buy an antibiotic eye ointment called Terramycin without a prescription.  It's available through Drs. Foster and Smith (www.drsfostersmith.com).  I use this on my cats when they get eye infections.  It's safe and very mild.

And as far as separating them, there's no need since both are already suffering from the infection.  What you're aiming for now is to reduce stress so they can heal more quickly.  And it sounds like they become stressed when separated.  So keeping them together is fine.  

Answer
Hi Chantal.  Glad Gizmo is improving.  However, Simba definitely needs to see the vet again, I'm sorry to say.  Because it's lingering so long and she's developed more symptoms, I'd be inclined to think there is probably a secondary bacterial infection that's taken hold, and she will need an oral antibiotic.  This should be done ASAP.  If she's got a fever and it escalates further, she could go into convulsions.  I had that happen with one cat - very scary!  I had to give her cold baths every couple hours to cool her down.  Also, if left alone, bacterial infections can potentially spread througout the body and infect the heart, kidneys and liver, and then cause organ failure.