Ask a Vet Archive

• I am thinking of adopting a cat who has a yellowish discharge coming from his eyes - the rescue called it a "cold." He's been taken back to the vet after the rescue said his eyes were not clearing up from the antibiotics and medicine he was prescribed. He is still eating, still very affectionate, and the rescue tells me that "colds" like this are common. They advised me to put Viralys on his food daily when he gets here. Should I be concerned about adopting this cat? Do these "colds" really clear up?

  Upper respiratory vaccines in kittens are always challenging. They typically start as viruses – mostly self limiting like a human “cold”, but some of them can be a whole lot more severe – like FeLV, FIV, and others. They usually develop secondary bacterial infections which require the antibiotics in order for them to recover, and sometimes, like with this kitten, the bacteria are tough and stronger antibiotics are needed, but typically, the body has learned how to overcome the virus by the time the bacterial component to the disease is cleared up.
  
  With some viruses like herpes, the clinical signs are less severe, but they never completely go away. Many cats with herpes can lead long, loving lives with families, but occasionally get a flare up of more upper respiratory or ocular problems – they can usually be kept under control with lysine (viralys), but you do always need to watch out for recurrences.

Answered by:

John Smith, DVM
Veterinarian

Dr. John Smith is a graduate of LSU, Class of 1998. He has over 10 years of experience...

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Behavior