Could use shelter/foster people's advice...

[NoahsMommy]

I just thought of something. Have they seen the vet for an exam already? If so, some vets will have a prescription made for you and that's all you have to pay for. Maybe you can try that?

[Samantha Puppy]

Well, the good thing is that he's eating - well. So I'm not worried in that respect...

As for seeing the vet - Sushi went last week for conjunctivitis so he's been. But Kirin hasn't. Even if I called to say it was SUSHI who came down with a URI, I doubt they'd just give me a prescription.

I am going to try different local vets in the area and see what their prices are. I know the antibiotics won't cure it, but they will suppress the symptoms and help him feel a little better, right?

[leslie]

The antibiotics are to keep this infection from becoming a bacterial infection. It sounds like it's past the "wait it out" stage. Its likely stress induced just from the move and cheaper to treat now than later. One trip to the vet should do it! One office visit fee and one prescription! The medication fox-gal mentioned, I know a LOT of the rescue groups here in the boston area were doing for a long time but haven't heard of this for last few years- probably because there are cheaper "drugs of choice" out now (Zithromax, I think is the big winner of late...). Shop around and keep us posted! Appetite loss in a cat can be a BIG deal, as others have said! so keep on doing what youre doing in the meantime!

[catfamily]

I get Terramycin through Healthypets.com but do not use this in their eye if you think the eye is scratched.(very important).Scratched eyes must be seen by the vet.But I heard that it will cause ulcers under the eyes if it is stratched or open wound.It is great for conjunctivitis.It is a ointment.If the eye is scratched you need a soothing safe eye rinse or safe ointment with NO antibiotics in it.Better to ask a vet for something like that as I'm not sure what it is that's safe.As for the cold..usually they don't give Clavamox unless the throat or lungs sound terrible or a cough and a runny nose with yellow or greenish color.(I think).If the snots are clear you may be OK to wait.But don't take my word.It's just what I hear.Good Luck.Carla

[Samantha Puppy]

Originally posted by catfamily
I get Terramycin through Healthypets.com but do not use this in their eye if you think the eye is scratched.(very important).Scratched eyes must be seen by the vet.But I heard that it will cause ulcers under the eyes if it is stratched or open wound.It is great for conjunctivitis.It is a ointment.If the eye is scratched you need a soothing safe eye rinse or safe ointment with NO antibiotics in it.Better to ask a vet for something like that as I'm not sure what it is that's safe.As for the cold..usually they don't give Clavamox unless the throat or lungs sound terrible or a cough and a runny nose with yellow or greenish color.(I think).If the snots are clear you may be OK to wait.But don't take my word.It's just what I hear.Good Luck.Carla

Sushi's eyes are not scratched. He's already been to the vet to have them checked out. It is conjunctivitis and I've been putting ointment in his eyes for over a week.

Kirin is the one with the cold. His lungs don't sound horrible and he has a little bit of a runny nose if he lays down, but it's clear - not yellow or green. His appetite is great and he plays all the time. His breathing is just a little more labored than the other cat's and he sneezes.

I'll check out healthypets.com. Thanks.