Is your cat sneezing repeatedly? Do you know what is causing it? In this article, we will explain why cats sneeze.
To begin with, there are many reasons why a cat might sneeze. Whether it be because of an allergy, bacterial infection, or viral infection, it is important to consult a veterinarian to determine the true cause of your cat's sneezing and to establish an appropriate diagnosis.
Why is your cat sneezing?
Sneezing is a reflex that serves to clean the nasal cavity.
Non-infectious origins
A cat could sneeze for non-infectious reasons. This is the case, for example, when the cat is allergic to something like pollen, dust, or a certain type of food. It is also the case when something is blocked in their nose. When they sneeze for this reason, it is to remove the elements that are bothering them and cleaning the nasal cavity.
However, older cats, with certain health problems such as tumors, can also sneeze regularly.
Infectious origins
A cat might also sneeze because of an infection. For example, they might sneeze because of a fungus, bacteria, or a virus. Among these bacteria, there are: chlamydophila felis, bordetella bronchiseptica, and streptococcus. When it comes to viruses, there are: feline herpes virosis, feline calicivirus, and others.
All these infections can be transmitted between cats by the small droplets that come out of their mouth when they sneeze. These small drops then contaminate other cats and surfaces that they touched.
Symptoms to keep an eye on
When a cat has an allergy, it may develop symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, or coughing.
If your cat has a tumor, nasal bleeding may occur, most often on one side of the nose.
If it is caused by an infection cause, you may see a purulent discharge from both nostrils.
Other symptoms such as fatigue, coughing, a cold, shortness of breath, a fever, loss of appetite, and red eyes may occur.
What should I do if my cat is sneezing?
Consult a vet
Consulting a veterinarian for your cat is one of the first things that you should do to determine the cause of your cat's sneezes.
During your consultation, the veterinarian will begin with a global assessment in which you will explain the symptoms that your cat has. The veterinarian will then verify if the vaccines are working properly. He will also check if your little fur ball's vaccines are up to date.
After that, the veterinarian will perform an examination to observe your pet. They will check your cat's hydration level, temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate. The veterinarian may then inspect and feel the cat's mouth and nose for any abnormalities or nasal discharge in the airway.
If necessary, the veterinarian may perform additional tests such as chest x-rays or an ultrasound.
An adapted treatment
Your visit to the veterinarian will allow you to have a diagnosis and an adapted treatment for your cat. If it is an infection, the veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics. If it is a something blocked in their nasal cavity, an operation may be necessary to remove it. Surgery is also a solution if your cat has a tumor. Lastly, in case of allergies, the veterinarian may prescribe antihistamines or anti-inflammatories.
You now know the different possible causes of your cat's sneezing and how to react. Has your cat been sneezing lately?
You might also like reading this article: Why are some people allergic to cats?
Source: Lemonde.fr