You ever see your cat lick it's nose like the little guy above? Well our Vernon has been doing that a lot lately. In his case it is because he has a runny nose.
Today we will be discussion just that. Why do cats get runny noses? and how can they be treated? I have compiled a list of the top 5 reasons why this happens to our purrfect playmate.
Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs): This is like the common cold for cats and is usually caused by viruses like feline herpesvirus and calicivirus. With Verny he has a runny nose and a little eye discharge.
A URI can also cause eye discharge. So most likely if your cat is dealing with both, it may have an URI. Although having both a runny nose and eye discharge can also mean allergies.
Allergies: Just like us, cats can have allergic reactions that affect their eyes and nose. Think of pollen turning your kitty into a sneezy, watery-eyed furball.
One of the ways to tell the difference between an URI and common allergies, is time. An URI can last anywhere between 7-21 days, while allergies last as long as the allergen is present.
Also the type of eye discharge is different. An URI can result in swelling and redness around the eye. Like the nose, if the eye discharge is thicker, it very well can be an URI.
URi's can also come with fever and loss of appetite, while allergies come with itching and skin irritation. It is important to know what your cat has in order to treat it correctly.
Foreign Objects: This has Vernon written all over it, as he can't help but to stick his nose where it doesn't belong. Curiosity didn't just scare the cat; it also gave it a runny nose!
Cats can get tiny objects stuck in their nose, leading to irritation. Like URI's and allergies, this also can lead to eye discharge too. It also can inflammation.
The eyes and nose are connected, so if your cat has a runny nose, it may also lead to eye discharge. Other symptoms include redness around the nose or eyes, swelling and even bleeding.
Dental Issues: If you know Vernon's story, you know he has his dental issues. If a tooth abscess or gum disease is the culprit, it can lead to nasal discharge.
The root of some teeth are close to nasal passages, which would explain the runny nose. As I explained earlier, the nose and eyes are also connected, which mean eye discharge can also happen.
Fungal Infections: This is less common, but also can result in a runny nose. Cats can be infected with all kinds of fungus. Aspergillosis is respiratory, so can cause a runny nose among other symptoms.
Aspergillosis is one of four fungus that attack a cat's respiratory system and can cause a runny nose. Of the four it can become very serious, and require aggressive treatment.
Cryptococcosis, Blastomycosis, and Histoplasmosis are the other three. Cryptococcosis can also attack the nervous and become quite serious. Blastomycosis can also cause skin lesions and eye problems. It is contracted by inhaling fungal spores from the environment.
Histoplasmosis is found in bird and bat droppings, and can also gastrointestinal problems and general malaise. This can result in decrease activity and changes is appetite.
Now that we discussed the top 5 causes, lets get right into treatments. Since URI's can be as simple as a common cold, your cat may just heal on it's own. For more aggressive URI's consult a vet, they may need to proscribe antibiotics.
If antibiotics aren't needed, you should treat a URI like any common cold. Basically make sure your cat is eating and drinking enough that is key. Vernon is definitely staying hydrated and his appetite is great.
With Allergies, removing the allergen is key. Sometimes, vets prescribe antihistamines. Finding the allergen is simply a process of elimination. Starting with dietary changes, environmental adjustments, and possibly allergy testing, to pinpoint the specific substance causing the allergic reaction.
As for foreign objects, if your cat can't remove them on their own, please call a vet. If it is small enough a simple sneeze may do the trick, but anything large needs professional assistance.
If you deem the runny nose is caused by dental issues, the only treatment is a call to your vet. These issues can't be dealt with at home, because your cat may need dental work done.
Like dental issues, a fungus infection needs medical attention from your vet. So for the most part these treatments all require a vet's attention unless your cat has a mild URI, you are able to pinpoint the allergen, or your cat is able to remove the foreign object on its own.
Having a sick kitty is never fun, I hope this post helped you to identify the problem, so you could start a treatment. If you know of any other causes of a runny nose in a cat, please leave me a comment below!
