Get The Diagnosis Right
Because most feline upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses such as feline herpesvirus type 1, many veterinarians will diagnose based on the symptoms. Figuring out which virus is causing the problem isn’t as important as caring for your cat as his body fights off the infection. If the condition doesn’t improve, collecting and testing samples from your cat’s nose, throat, and eyes can help your vet pick the right antibiotics for your cat.
If your cat experiences chronic upper respiratory infections, which is rare, your vet may want to perform chest and head X-rays and other testing.
Treatment Of Chronic Nasal Discharge In Cats
Restoring breathing and preventing infection are always the main objectives when chronic nasal discharge is the issue. The sick cat should be isolated from other animals, since the disease is contagious. If the discharge is watery, gently wipe the nostrils with a cotton ball to prevent irritation and blockage. Baby oil or pure moisturizing lotions can also guard against cracking and drying of the outside of the nose. If you have a humidifier or a vaporizer, the device can be used to help loosen up the discharge and help restore normal function to the mucus membranes.
If, however, your cat has a thick, yellowish discharge that also smells, your cat will require professional attention. Your veterinarian will almost certainly put your cat on a battery of antibiotics to fight the infection and restore balance to the system. These serious medical issues should never be handled at home with rumored remedies.
Long-term administration of a supplemental lysine may help reduce the symptoms of chronic nasal discharge when caused by Feline Herpes Virus. If your pets veterinarian has recommended a product containing L-lysine, please consider these products available at VetRxDirect:
How To Treat A Cat With A Stuffy Nose
This article was co-authored by Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN. Ryan Corrigan is a Licensed Veterinary Technician in California. She received her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2010. She is also a Member of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians since 2011.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 11 testimonials and 91% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 269,762 times.
A stuffy nose can make your cat miserable. You can help your feline friend by first identifying the cause of its stuffy nose. Once you figure out why your cat has a stuffy nose, you can treat it with medication or by letting common infections run their course. You can keep your cat comfortable with steam therapy and by cleaning its nose regularly.
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How Can This Problem Be Treated
The treatment will be determined by the test results and diagnosis. In many cases, no specific initiating cause can be found. Antibiotics typically give an initial dramatic improvement that is often short lived. Targeted nutritional supplements such as L-lysine that aid in mucous membrane repair and maintenance and general immune system stimulation can be helpful, especially in chronic viral infections. Anti-viral and immune-stimulating medications may be beneficial in some cases. In spite of our best efforts, some cases remain chronic or at least recurrent. The treatment goal in these cases is to reduce the cat’s discomfort through periodic medication and improve its quality of life.
| Contributors: Ernest Ward, DVM |
What You Can Do In The Meantime
- Keep the living area clean and free of dust particles and foreign matter that can be inhaled. This will protect your cat’s nasal and throat passages from further aggravation.
- The use of a humidifier, a vaporizer, or the steam from a hot shower may help your cat breathe more easily.
- Gently wipe nasal discharge from your cat’s nostrils with a soft damp towel.
- Your cat may not be able to smell his/her food as well as before. Feed a strong smelling canned food , and warm it slightly.
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Diagnosis Of Mucus In Cats
An overview of your cats medical history and a physical examination are the first steps in the diagnosis of mucus in cats. Your veterinarian may use a scope to view the airways, throat, and nose to determine if the mucus accumulation is a problem of the upper or lower respiratory system. Make sure to share signs you have noticed your cat displaying at home, such as coughing, wheezing or heavy breathing, as these signs can give the veterinarian clues to the condition at hand. Diagnostic tests that your veterinarian may receommend include:
- A nasal or mouth swab to identify a bacterial, viral or fungal infection.
- Blood tests to identify infection and organ function
- Blood gas analysis to determine carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the blood
- Pulse oximetry to determine pulse rate
- Chest x-rays to identify low respiratory conditions
- Echocardiograph to evaluate the state of the heart
- Biopsy of tissues to identify a tumor if present
Persian Cat Cant Breathe Through Nose
At times, cats will have their noses congested so bad that the stuffiness causes breathing problems. This can happen to any cat breeds. However, the Persian and Himalayan cats have nose conformations that make them more prone to it. This is because of the flat face in the former and the nasal bone structure being stunted in the later making them predisposed to respiratory problems.
They are known to sneeze without producing any discharge and normally get breathing problems due to the deformity. Where this is the case in any of the breeds, you can ease the breathing by adding some menthol vapor into the air.
You can get plug in vapor emitters or add some menthol into a bowl of water placed close to the cat. When this is done, the cat breathes better and will be relieved of breathing problems. Mint oil can also be added to the water to achieve the same effect.
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Provide Them With Plenty Of Water
This should be something you do on a regular basis.
However, while your cat is having a stuffy nose, it is even more important to provide a fresh, clean water supply.
This way, it prompts them to be more likely to drink water which will, in turn, help with their ailment.
Thank you very much for reading! I hope this helps other pet owners out there.
Be sure to leave a comment or just drop by and say hi!
~Nocturnal Blogger
Be Persistent And Keep Rechecking
Since then we also found he is allergic to cedar, tree pollen, and fabric softener. After doing ECR for these I used Kali Bichromicum 30c first and later Nat Mur 200c to clear up the symptoms. Fingers crossed we have finally addressed all the things he has developed an allergy toat least for now. Things may change again in the spring when the weather changes and plants start to bloom-or perhaps even sooner! This whole experience has taught me two things:
I never would have thought that Rocket had developed allergies to so many things. I feel very fortunate that his condition isnt worse and that slowly but surely we have been able to pinpoint the exact allergies, eliminate them and cure his rhinitis. The most important thing to remember is this: treating only the symptoms a cat has is pointless you must also determine and remove the cause. Otherwise the condition will return. Stay tuned for his progress reports!
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How You Can Help Your Cat Feel Better
While your cat is sick, it would be beneficial to increase the humidity in your house by keeping a humidifier or vaporizer running. If your cat has a stuffy nose gently wipe clean your cat’s nose with a clean damp cloth or some cotton wool soaked in warm water. Cleanse and soothe your cat’s watery eyes by applying a saline solution with gauze pads.
While your cat is stuffy they will have difficulty smelling food and may stop eating. Food is important for keeping your cat’s strength up while they recover, so it may be a good time to buy some extra special wet cat food to tempt your feline friend to eat. Warming your cat’s food may also help.
Make sure your feline friend stays warm and comfortable by adding an extra blanket to your cat’s favorite sleeping area.
Signs That It’s Time To Visit the Vet
Cat colds typically begin to clear up after just a few days. If your cat has been suffering from the symptoms of a cold and shows no sign of improvement within 4 days, it may be time to visit the vet.
Cat colds can lead to more serious infections if left untreated. It is particularly important to contact your vet if you have a senior cat, young kitten, or immune-compromised cat.
What Is The Upper Respiratory Tract
The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, the throat , and the trachea . The surface of the respiratory tract is lined with a mucous membrane, which is a layer containing specialized cells that secrete a protective mucus coating onto the tissue surface. The eyes and inner surfaces of the eyelids are covered by conjunctiva, a membranous tissue that has a similar structure to the respiratory mucous membranes . Tears drain from the eyes through a tube called the lacrimal duct, which drains into the back of the nose. Because of this anatomical connection, the conjunctivae are often grouped in as part of the upper respiratory tract and may be affected with upper respiratory disease.
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Cat Runny Nose Runny Eyes And Sneezing
My cat keeps sneezing, what is wrong? In most situations, it is normal for a cat to have nasal discharge and sneeze at the same time. Having watery eyes may also be experienced. However, where the sneezing is chronic and severe, or where the cat is sneezing blood from the nose you should have your pet checked.
Providing Care At Home
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How Is Feline Rhinitis Diagnosed
Rhinitis is diagnosed after a thorough physical examination and evaluation of your cats medical history. Your cat may need to be placed under general anesthesia to allow the vet to perform a rhinoscopy and/or a nasal wash to collect cell samples.5
Finding the cause of rhinitis is important for determining the course of treatment needed to help your cat feel better. A definitive diagnosis is made after ruling out lower airway disease that may show similar symptoms such as feline asthma or chronic bronchitis.
Treatment for rhinitis depends on the underlying condition causing the symptoms.
What Is The Best Way To Help A Cat With A Stuffy Nose
You can help by wiping their nose with a cloth dipped in warm water, or using air humidifiers or vaporizers which can unclog your cats nasal passages and keep them open so there is normal airflow.
You can even let your cat into the bathroom while you run a hot shower, as the steam that is created can serve your cat as a humidifier and unclog that stuffy nose. However, before you do anything else, be sure to go to the vet so they can determine the cause of your cats stuffy nose.
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Cat Has Sniffles And Stuffy Nose
A stuffy nose will at times cause sniffles in cats. This involves taking in short breathes that are quick through the nose. This may happen because the cat is having difficulty breathing due to the congestion. Keeping your pet in a moisturized area can help in a great way to ease the breathing as it will loosen up any nasal discharge that is stuck up in the cavity.
What Is Nose And Sinus Inflammation
Inflammation of the nose and sinus is a common and sometimes serious problem in cats. It can be a primary condition acute in nature, but more often it is a result of a systemic disorder such as infection. Occasionally, it can be idiopathic, meaning its source is unknown, which makes treatment more difficult. Chronic rhinosinusitis may persist over the life of your cat. It can be a challenge to manage and there is no cure. However, nose and sinus inflammation is rarely life-threatening to cats and is often easily treated with medication unless there is a serious and chronic underlying condition associated with it. In such cases, treatment will include addressing the symptoms and causes of the identified disorder.
When the lining of the mucous membranes of the nose is inflamed, the condition is called rhinitis. Inflammation of the lining of the sinuses is termed sinusitis. The two conditions often occur together, creating rhinosinusitis, but not always. Left untreated, the condition can inhibit the function of the mucous membranes of the nasal passages, leaving the lungs to handle the filtering of dust and microorganisms, which often leads to repeated respiratory tract infections.
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Feline Upper Respiratory Disease
Feline upper respiratory disease is a general term used to describe the sneezing, runny eyes, runny nose cat cold symptoms.
What causes URD?
The underlying cause of these cat colds are usually viruses . Rarely, bacteria such as Chlamydia, Bordetella can cause these symptoms. In some cases, your cats viral infection is made worse by bacteria. Bacteria take advantage of a busy immune system to create a secondary infection.
What are the main symptoms of URD?
The universal symptom of URD is sneezing. Depending on how severe your cats infection is, it may be the only clinical symptom. Other symptoms include eye and nose discharge . If the infection becomes chronic, then symptoms can include a dry or ulcerated nose and chronic, brown eye or nose discharge. In severe infections, the lower respiratory tract can become involved leading to pneumonia. As colds are a systemic infection, your cat may be lethargic, dull, and show decrease appetite.
How would my cat get URD?
How do we diagnose URD?
In hospital, we diagnose URD based on clinical symptoms. The only way to determine the exact cause of a URD is to take a sample and run several laboratory tests such as culture, if bacteria are suspected, or other tests to identify viruses.
How do we treat URD?
What follow-up is required?
How do I prevent URD?
Prognosis
If you have any questions regarding the information in this handout, please do not hesitate to contact the hospital.
Why Does My Cat Cough
Coughing can occur because of the overproduction of mucous, which drains down the throat. However, just because your cat coughs does not mean they have an upper respiratory infection.
Like people, cats can cough for other reasons besides an infection, such as allergies or clearing something from the throat. If youre concerned about your cats cough, see your veterinarian, who can help diagnose the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment.
On a side note, you should know that cats dont cough because of hairballs. Hairballs develop in the digestive tract, not the respiratory system, and are vomited up. Both vomiting and coughing can cause cats to heave and make similar sounds, so it can be challenging for cat parents to tell the difference.
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Treatment For Nasal Discharge
The condition will not require hospitalization unless surgery is recommended, or if an exploratory scope of the nasal cavity or the sinuses is required.
Treatment will depend on the cause of the discharge. Bacterial infections may need to be treated with antibiotics. If it is determined that the cause is fungal, your veterinarian will prescribe anti-fungal medication. Decongestants may also be advised. Antiviral medications are sometimes used for chronic upper respiratory infections of a viral nature.
Dental work, possibly including extraction of diseased teeth, may be necessary if the cause is related to one or more bad teeth. Tumors and/or polyps may need to be removed surgically, if possible. Foreign bodies, of found, should be removed from the nasal cavity as well.
Feline Herpes Virus & Calicivirus
The pathogens that most commonly cause URT infections in cats are viral.2,3 Feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus account for approximately 90% of all feline URT disease.1
Risk Factors
- Viral URT disease is especially common in kittens and stressed or immunocompromised adults.
- Most cats with idiopathic chronic rhinitis are thought to have had viral URT infections in early life, although they may not manifest active viral infection as adults.4
Transmission
- Pathogens enter through the oral and nasal conjunctiva FHV and FCV replication occurs in the mucosa of the nasal septum, nasal turbinates, nasopharynx, and tonsils.
- Viral shedding occurs for at least the duration of clinical signs.
- Many cats continue shedding after resolution of clinical signs. In most, clinical signs resolve within 2 weeks but shedding can continue for another 2 weeks or even lifelong.
Virus Reactivation
- About 80% of cats experience neuronal latency of FHV in the trigeminal ganglion the virus can then be reactivated due to stress, illness, or immunosuppression .5
- Intermittent reactivation of FHV gives rise to viral shedding in oronasal and conjunctival secretions.
- When reactivation is associated with clinical signs it is termed recrudescence however, shedding can occur in the absence of clinical signs in cases of chronic, latent FHV infection.
Etiology of Clinical Signs
Figure 1. Bilateral, moderate serous ocular discharge and marked, mucopurulent nasal discharge in a cat with feline URT disease.
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