I need HELP!!! My kitty is sick and am not sure what is wrong???

He is about 6 months old and we got him as a healthy cat from the Humane Society. He is current on all vacinations. Shortly after we got him when he was 3.5 months old he started sneezing. I figured that was normal with the new house change. Well 1 week and a half ago he had a red bump between his eye and his ear and his eye got swollen. I thought it was a muskeeto bite. We called the Vet and they said it probably was a muskeeto bite but to watch it, and if it doesn't go away he'll need to be seen. On third day his eye was looking better so we ignored it. 2 days later it came back with green stuff under the eye. So we took him to the Vet and she gave us a prescription for anti-boitics and herpe eye drops, without telling us exactly what it was. She mentioned getting him tested for like EVERYTHING from ring worms to feline AIDS. It's his 3rd day on the antibiotics and it's not that noticibaly different. Anyone with any ideas PLEASE let me know. Sorry this is so long too.

Does this sound like allergies to anyone? If it was herpes wouldn't my other cat get it?

She wants to test to see if this is a problem associated with something else. She's just covering her butt but also eliminating certain things this way.

First, antibiotics take at least 3 days to work in the system before you see results. They don't work overnight. You need to give them for at least a week, and use all of them, don't stop when things look better--use all that were given to you. Antibiotics can clear up a lot of problems.

Eye infections are usually one of two things--the herpes virus or the calci virus. The calci is the harder to treat, and usually gets prescription eyedrops. The herpes one is NOT the same herpes humans get, this is a cat to cat type. It's very common for cats with runny eyes or gunked up eyes to have it caused by the herpes virus.

Since it's known to be part of the FIV in cats (FIV is not AIDS, only people get AIDS, cats get FIV), she probably figures that's the main culprit. However it's not the only thing that causes runny eyes. An FIV cat has a low immune system, so they do pick up things quick and it takes them longer to heal (and the lifespan of an FIV cat is around 15-18 years so don't listen to any vet that recommends automatic euthenasia! That vet is obviously NOT up on the info of the disease).

People who have FIV cats are very familiar with the runny eyes, and we don't use expensive medication when a low cost alternative works just as well. Lysine, in the grocery store, is given. You grind the pill into powder (back of a spoon will crush it) and give 250 - 500ml on the cat's food for three or four days, this usually clears up the eyes in a day or two. You can't overdose them with this, any extra is just excreted from the body. It works and it works fast.

I don't know how ringworm would be associated with the eyes unless there's no fur on the area. A skin culture is all that takes to tell though. But it takes 10 days in the petrie dish before they get an answer. Ringworm won't make any area swell up though. A hornet sting would but that would disappear in a day.

Treat the cat with whatever helps him feel better. Stay on the antibiotics. If the eye crusts up, use a warm wet washcloth to help dab the crust off.

if he does have herpes it never totally goes away. it will go away for a while and he will have outbreaks and he could possibly spread them to other cats. humane society cats getting herpes is very common. it has only been 3 days so give him time for the antibotics to kick in before worrying about it.

It is so hard to tell what causes eye infections. My kitty recently had an eye infection as well, and my vet is very explanatory. Since there are so many diseases and illnesses that effect kittens eyes, it is hard to pinpoint what exactly is the cause- that is why your vet couldn't give you a direct answer of what caused the infection. In my cats case, he isn't around other cats, and therefor probably had gotten something from his mother that just started bothering him now, even though my kitty hasn't been near his mommy in months. I was also advised since my cat has been tested for kitty aids and lukemia and came up negative- there is still a chance my kitty will have reoccurring illnesses that will be unknown.

Your doctor is giving the medication and hopes it clears the problem. If it doesn't- then getting tested for feline aids and std's is the next option. Even though humane societies take very good care of their adoptees, it doesn't mean there wasn't an underlying problem before that just surfaced now. Take it day by day and keep an eye on your kitten. Make sure your vet knows that you have other cats in the house, so your other cat doesnt get sick as well.

It is probably best that your kitty gets tested for everything anyway, it will be expensive- but at least you will know that your cat is entirely in good health and you can stop worrying about the worst.

I hope your kitty feels better!