Get relief for your cat's upper respiratory infection online
Talk to a vet online today and get medication delivered to your door for just $11/month.
- Same-day, night & weekend appointments
- Unlimited video calls & messaging
- Top-rated licensed vets
How to spot & treat cat upper respiratory infections
Learn what causes cat ear issues and what to do about it.
Symptoms
Symptoms
- Sneezing, nasal congestion
- Watery to thick eye/nose discharge
- Red or squinty eyes
- Mouth ulcers (calici)
- Lower appetite (can’t smell = won’t eat)
- Mild fever or lethargy
- Cough (less common)
Causes
Causes
Viruses (most common):
- Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) — sneezing, runny eyes/nose, conjunctivitis, stress-triggered flare-ups, possible eye involvement.
- Feline calicivirus (FCV) — classic “cat cold” signs, oral ulcers, occasional limping syndrome.
Bacteria (less common primary causes):
- Chlamydia felis, Mycoplasma spp., Bordetella — often secondary to viral illness.
Why it matters (and why we don’t jump to antibiotics)
- Most URIs in cats are viral. Antibiotics won’t speed recovery unless there’s strong evidence of a bacterial component. Overuse also can contributes to resistance and GI upset.
- When we do reach for antibiotics, doxycycline is usually first-line.
How can telemedicine help?
How can telemedicine help?
- Triage symptoms and rule-in/out complications
- Guide supportive care (humidification, appetite support, gentle eye/nose cleaning)
- Prescribe famciclovir when herpes flare is likely
- Prescribe topical antivirals/ophthalmics when there’s eye involvement
- Prescribe doxycycline when bacterial infection is suspected
- Recommend when PCR testing or imaging is warranted
- Provide follow-up guidance if signs worsen or stall
Supportive care that actually help
Supportive care that actually help
- Humidifier or 10–15 min in a steamy bathroom, 2–3×/day
- Warm, aromatic foods to encourage appetite
- Extra hydration options (multiple bowls, fountain, broth when appropriate)
- Gentle warm compresses to the eyes/nose
- Stress reduction — quiet room, predictable routine
- Separate from other cats during active sneezing
When to see a vet urgently
When to see a vet urgently
- Not eating for >24 hours
- Trouble breathing or open-mouth breathing
- Eye pain (eye held closed, severe redness)
- Deep green/bloody discharge
- Marked lethargy or dehydration
How Dutch works
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Pick a plan and become a member
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Schedule a video call with a licensed vet
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Order the prescriptions the vet recommends
Pet parents love us
Our top vet-recommended products
Cat Upper Respiratory Infection Products
Frequently asked questions
Who is Dutch?
Who is Dutch?
Dutch is an online veterinary pet telehealth service, created by pet parents and board-certified veterinary specialists. We use a science-backed approach to provide pets relief for their everyday physical and behavioral health issues. Dutch connects you with licensed veterinarians over video chat and messaging to help you get care for your dog or cat quickly wherever you are — without the stress or expense of a vet visit. We also partner with pharmacies who can deliver prescription medication (in applicable states only) and over-the-counter treatments directly to your door. Dutch isn’t a veterinary practice or pharmacy, but a company that helps facilitate these services for pet parents to make veterinary care more accessible to all.
What is a visit with Dutch like?
What is a visit with Dutch like?
You and your pet will have a 10-minute video call with a licensed veterinarian. Here’s what to expect:
Before the call
When booking the call online, you'll be asked a few questions about your pet. Depending on the issue, you may need to fill out a longer questionnaire about their symptoms or share photographs of them so our veterinarians can better understand what’s going on. You’ll then pick an appointment time. Make sure your pet will be with you at that time — the vet will need to see them on the call.
During the video call
One of our vets will talk to you about the symptoms your pet is experiencing, ask you questions, review your pet’s medical history if you’ve provided it, look at your pet on camera, and answer any questions you have. They may ask you to perform some simple checks on your pet, like raising their gums, if needed.
After the call
The vet will send you a message with a custom treatment plan to help your pet feel better, including a link to buy any recommended prescription or over-the-counter medications. Place your order and we’ll ship it free. If you have any questions, you can message your vet anytime or book another appointment with the same vet to follow up.
How do I know if you can treat my pet?
How do I know if you can treat my pet?
Our vets can provide care and prescriptions for more than 150 issues — and over 90% of cases can be treated virtually.
The vet can diagnose your pet based on your description of their symptoms, their medical history, seeing them during your video call, and, if needed, through uploaded photos and videos. They may ask you to do a few simple checks during the call. We also offer a number of at-home lab test kits for dogs and cats.
The health and safety of pets is our top priority. In the rare case that a vet determines a pet needs to go to a local clinic, they’ll provide a referral and offer advice on how to care for them until they can be seen.
Some things that require in-person care include emergencies, wounds that need stitches, and issues that require blood work, imaging (X-rays or ultrasounds), or surgery.
Our vets are always available for second opinions and follow-up care after in-person vet visits — so you don’t have to navigate health issues alone.
How much will it cost for Dutch to treat my pet?
How much will it cost for Dutch to treat my pet?
We offer several membership plans to fit your needs and budget. All of our annual plans include fast, unlimited access to vets via video chat and messaging for up to 5 pets — for one low price.
Prescriptions and any other treatments the vet recommends aren’t included in your membership. The cost of these varies based on what your pet needs. You can browse our pharmacy to get an idea of medication costs. To make your pet’s care as affordable as possible, we offer a price-match guarantee and free standard shipping.