cat with pink eye (antibiotics, diet, feed, kitty)

[kernix]

I just adopted a cat from a woman who said her pinkish eye was from an upper respiratory infection. She said eyes, ears nose and throat are all connected but I never heard the eye part included in ENT. I'm afraid she was just telling me that so I'd adopt her, but I have another cat so I'm worried.

Any thoughts about the pink eye? She's been on antibiotics and eye drops which she gave me.

Jim

[catsmom21]

Your new kitty may be have an active herpes viral infection. Secondary infection is common and the antibiotics will help with the secondary bacterial infection but will not cure the virus.

As long as your other cat is vaccinated s/he should not catch the herpes (if that it what new kitty has)

Herpes can be confirmed with a simple swab test at the vet. The usual treatment is a supplement called l-lysine, an amino acid. L-lysine interrupts the reproduction of the virus, and helps boost the immune system.

It's best to use the pure powder rather than those "for cats" treats and pastes. Much more cost effective and better for the cat, the treats and pastes have a lot of nasty stuff in them, too.

Make sure to feed your cats a good quality canned diet, no grains. Especially no grains for a cat with herpes.

Congratulations on your new family member!

[catsmom21]

PS It is correct that Eyes Ears Nose and Throat all are part of the upper respiratory system. However I meant to say this in my first post, you should take the new cat to your own vet right away. Not just to have the URI evaluated, but for the cat to be tested for other diseases, FeLV and FIV and bring a stool sample to test for parasites.