Cat keeps getting sick.

Dr. Marie replied:

Hi. I'm sorry to hear that LIttle Bear is having these problems.

I have had cases like this where kittens had a really hard time shaking an upper respiratory tract infection.

The first thing I usually do is test for FIV and Feline leukemia as either of these viruses could predispose the immune system to getting and not being able to shake a virus. It sounds like this was done. (If FIV was tested for, then probably Feline leukemia was as well.)

Antibiotics will help with bacterial infection but won't treat the underlying virus. Usually the virus comes first and then, it can progress to a bacterial infection. So, if this is a very persistent virus, then antibiotics may help a little (because of secondary bacterial infections) but they're not going to cure Little Bear.

Unfortunately the only cure here is time.

There are some animals that can have a chronic mycoplasma problem after having an upper respiratory tract infection. These cats can unfortunately have lifelong problems with congestion that comes and goes.

However, I can tell you that in the vast majority of cases that I have seen like this, the cat does eventually get over the virus and ends up being totally healthy.

You may want to ask your vet about using a supplement called Lysine. This amino acid has been shown to help cats fight viruses a little better.

I hope things are better soon!

Dr. Marie

---

Check out our dog age calculator and cat age calculator.