Our question this week was:I have this cat that was born about a year and half ago outside under the neighbors shed. He's been wild since birth and I've been feeding and watering him and now he comes up and rubs me and lets me touch him. My question is that he has a swollen eye and bloody nose two weeks ago and now his eye is better but he still has blood coming out of both nostrils when he sneezes. Any thoughts on what generally that could be. He sounds nasally and breath seems congested.
Wade PotterAnswerHi – thanks for your email. Many outdoors stray cats have upper respiratory tract infections. It can make them sneeze, have runny eyes and sound congested. That would be my first guess as to what this could be.
Many times these infections are viral but can also become bacterial. If it is possible to catch him, it might be worth taking him in to your vet. They may prescribe antibiotics. If he is "wild", you may be able to "hide" the antibiotics in some canned food twice a day or as they prescribe.
An article that might be helpful to you is on this problem and is called
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Cats.
Best of luck!
Dr. Jon
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