Why is my cat sneezing? Is my cat sneezing because of a cold? Common causes and treatment methods for cat sneezing

Why is my cat sneezing? Is my cat sneezing because of a cold? Common causes and treatment methods for cat sneezing

As a responsible cat owner, you need to provide your cat with enough food and water, but you also need to pay attention to your cat's health. Sneezing is a common occurrence for mammals. Any condition that causes discomfort in the nasal cavity can be resolved with a sneeze.

Cats are the same. The same reasons as humans, such as air pollutants, allergens, and infectious particles. Generally speaking, it is not strange for a cat to sneeze occasionally. However, if a cat starts sneezing frequently, and each time it sneezes several times in a row, then the owner should pay attention to it immediately.

In general, if a cat sneezes frequently, it means that there is a problem with its body, such as cat allergies, viral infections, chronic rhinitis in cats, or nasal congestion in cats. This can lead to frequent sneezing.

When the owner observes that the cat is unwell, he needs to further analyze the cause of the cat's illness. However, sneezing, a common symptom, is really hard to tell what disease the cat has. To this end, we will sort out some of the causes and symptoms of a cat's sneezing to help you understand the reasons behind your cat's sneezing.

I. What are the reasons for a cat's sneezing?

1. Allergic Reaction

Just like humans, cats can also be affected by allergens in their surroundings. Cats can sneeze when they smell irritants, and humans can sneeze when they smell pepper. Some smoke or steam in the air can cause cats to sneeze.

Usually, this kind of sneeze is one-time, and the owner doesn't need to worry. If a cat has an allergic disease, it will sneeze more frequently than other normal cats.

Solution: If your cat sneezes at a certain time of year or at a certain time of day every year, you can confirm that your cat is sneezing because of allergies. In this case, it is best to seek professional help from a veterinarian. They can help you identify the allergen and develop a treatment plan, such as avoiding contact with the allergen, using antihistamines, or undergoing desensitization therapy.

2. Viral Infection

Cats can also contract infectious diseases even if they don't go outside. Symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections include persistent sneezing, accompanied by tearing, fever, coughing, mouth ulcers, and loss of appetite.

If your cat is often outdoors and has contact with other feral cats, be aware that your cat may have contracted herpesvirus or calicivirus. Both viruses are highly contagious in cats and can cause symptoms such as runny nose and frequent sneezing.

Solution: It's best to take your cat to the vet for treatment. The veterinarian will check for the virus that is causing the cat's frequent sneezing and formulate a treatment plan. Treatment plans may include antiviral medications, supportive therapy, and symptomatic treatment, such as relieving symptoms such as fever, coughing, or runny nose.

3. Chronic Rhinitis

Cats often sneeze, breathe loudly, and have a foul-smelling discharge from their noses, so they may be infected with bacteria. If a cat's bacterial infection is not treated effectively, it will gradually develop into chronic rhinitis. At this time, if the cat feels uncomfortable or unwell, it will sneeze frequently, similar to our human nasal cold.

Solution: If a cat's chronic rhinitis is not treated effectively, it may worsen into pneumonia. Don't take it lightly. If your cat shows any abnormal symptoms, it is best to consult a veterinarian immediately for help with targeted treatment. Treatment plans may include antibiotic therapy, nasal lavage, surgery, etc., depending on the cat's condition.

4. Sinusitis

When the sinuses in the back of a cat's nasal cavity are inflamed, sinusitis can cause the following symptoms: frequent runny nose, swelling of the nose due to inflammation, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, etc.

Solution: If you are unsure why your cat is sneezing, you can feed it some anti-inflammatory drugs in the early stages. If the condition does not improve, you should consult a doctor. A veterinarian can diagnose sinusitis through X-ray examination or CT scan and develop a treatment plan based on the diagnosis. Treatment plans may include antibiotic therapy, nasal lavage, surgery, etc., depending on the cat's condition.

5. Chlamydiosis

In addition to sneezing and runny nose, another feature of chlamydiosis in cats is more gum. If the symptoms are too severe, the gums will cause conjunctivitis and respiratory inflammation.

Solution: Chlamydiosis in cats is highly contagious, so it is necessary to seek timely treatment once it is found. A veterinarian can diagnose chlamydiosis in cats through laboratory testing and develop a treatment plan based on the diagnosis. Treatment plans usually include antibiotic therapy, and may need to be supplemented with therapy, such as relieving eye symptoms or respiratory symptoms.

6. Feline Calicivirus Infection

After a cat is infected, it will experience symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and fever. Severe cases will be accompanied by stomatitis, leading to loss of appetite and increased saliva.

Solution: Seek veterinary treatment promptly. During treatment, the home needs to be thoroughly disinfected. It is best not to keep other pets for half a year. A veterinarian can diagnose feline calicivirus infection through laboratory testing and develop a treatment plan based on the diagnosis. Treatment plans may include supportive therapy, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, etc., depending on the cat's condition.

7. Cryptococcosis

Symptoms of cryptococcosis include sneezing, purulent nasal discharge, nosebleeds, and loss of appetite. In addition, it can also affect the respiratory system, so it may snore suddenly. In severe cases, infection can spread to the central nervous system, causing seizures, movement disorders, optic neuritis or retinal detachment and other eye diseases.

Solution: Regularly deworm your cat internally and externally, vaccinate your cat in time, and it is best to keep your cat indoors to prevent it from contracting the virus. A veterinarian can diagnose cryptococcosis through laboratory testing and develop a treatment plan based on the diagnosis. Treatment plans usually include antifungal medications, and may need to be supplemented with therapy, such as relieving eye symptoms or respiratory symptoms.

8. Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)

The symptoms of feline viral rhinotracheitis include more eye mucus, including sneezing, coughing, runny nose, bloodshot eyes, fever, and more tears than usual. If the symptoms are more severe, it can cause eye diseases such as keratitis, conjunctivitis and rhinitis.

Solution: The virus that causes feline viral rhinotracheitis is highly contagious, and the route of transmission includes various cat products. When the cat is sick and treated, the house needs to be thoroughly disinfected, and the cat's supplies also need to be exposed to the sun. A veterinarian can diagnose feline viral rhinotracheitis through laboratory testing and develop a treatment plan based on the diagnosis. Treatment plans may include supportive therapy, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, etc., depending on the cat's condition.

II. Symptoms and treatment measures for feline rhinotracheitis

FVR is feline rhinotracheitis, which spreads quickly and is an acute infectious disease with strong upper respiratory tract infection in cats, so it is also called infectious rhinotracheitis.

(1) How to judge?

The symptoms of FVR can be similar to those of a common cold, and many new cat owners can't tell the difference between the two symptoms. Here's how to tell the difference:

Cold: The main cause is catching a cold, and the symptoms are sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. Mental state and appetite are not greatly affected, and there are no other symptoms.
FVR: The early stage is similar to a common cold, also sneezing and runny nose, but it can also cause fever, paroxysmal cough, increased tear production, eyes blocked by secretions, conjunctivitis, purulent secretions, fever, etc. In the early stages, the main difference is based on body temperature.

(2) How to diagnose?

Before treatment, measure the cat's temperature. If the temperature rises above 39.5, the human body will feel hot. Please go to the pet hospital to reduce fever. If the measured temperature is between 38.5 and 39, don't worry too much. It's just a slight rise in temperature, so you can pay more attention.

(3) Precautions during treatment

No bathing: The result of bathing is that the condition will worsen, the treatment time will be extended, and the kitten may die.
Avoid going out: During illness, the resistance is weak and it is easy to re-infect with bacteria and bacteria, leading to skin diseases. Or spread the virus to other cats.
Insist on taking lysine during treatment: Stop eating if no improvement is seen.
Postpone vaccination: The most basic requirement for vaccination is that the body is healthy and asymptomatic. To get vaccinated, you have to cure the disease first.

III. How to prevent disease?

A cat's sneezing is their way of asking for help from their owner, a sign of illness. The most important thing is to prevent the disease before it starts!

Some of these diseases can be prevented by vaccination, so you can get your kitten fully vaccinated when it is a kitten, which can avoid many disease risks. In addition, you can take the following measures:

1. Pay attention to keeping the environment ventilated and clean.

Inhaling hair, dust, and invisible mites in the air can cause sensitive cats to sneeze repeatedly. Cats with sensitive respiratory tracts often sneeze when they inhale irritating smells.

If you find that your cat sneezes repeatedly every time it uses the litter box, you should completely change the litter. Pay attention to the hygiene of your cat's living environment and keep the room ventilated and dry.

2. Beware of colds

Try not to let your cat go out when the temperature drops suddenly or when it rains, to avoid catching a cold. When bathing your cat, be sure to dry its fur immediately. Kittens and older cats have poor resistance, and they are prone to colds, which can lead to other diseases.

Cats often sneeze and have a runny nose. If there is no sign of fever, keep warm after taking medicine and try not to disturb the cat's rest. If the cat has a fever, you must seek treatment promptly.

3. Do a good job of preventing FVR virus.

FVR is feline rhinotracheitis, which spreads quickly and is an acute infectious disease with strong upper respiratory tract infection in cats, so it is also called infectious rhinotracheitis.

The incubation period for FVR is 2-6 days. Early symptoms will be sneezing, tearing, coughing, loss of appetite, lethargy, and the beginning of nasal secretions. As the disease progresses, the secretions will gradually increase and thicken. Kittens are more susceptible to infection than adult cats, and the mortality rate is higher.

Spring is the outbreak season for FVR. During this period, it is recommended that cats do not go out and avoid contact with sick stray cats. If you find that your cat has contracted FVR, be sure to isolate it, disinfect the environment, and give the cat long-term medication to control and stabilize the condition.

Cats look soft and cute, but they are very tolerant when they are sick. They won't easily reveal that they are feeling unwell, and they don't sound like dogs asking for help. At this time, they need the owner's careful observation more than ever.

No matter what kind of pet we keep, we need to take responsibility. I hope this article can help you become a better cat owner, and I also hope that all pets can live a healthy life with their owners.

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