Feline Congestion

Nasal congestion is a nuisance for any species, whether it be humans, dogs or cats. When a cat has congestion, it is important to know whether it is a simple cold or something more serious. Watching for the symptoms of nasal congestion can help a cat owner know what to do if his cat suddenly gets the sniffles.

  1. Causes

    • A number of things can cause a cat to become congested. Allergies are one source of congestion for cats; another source is bacterial or viral infection spread by other cats. The most common viruses that cause feline congestion are feline herpes and feline calicivirus. These spread from cat to cat through sneezes or shared toys and food bowls. Nasal tumors are a more serious cause for nasal congestion in cats.

    Symptoms

    • When a cat gets congested, it suffers from the same types of symptoms as any human being. The most obvious sign is nasal discharge. Although it is typical for a cat's nose to be moist, excess moisture is a sign of congestion. The nose should not be so moist that it drips. Other symptoms of nasal congestion in cats are sneezing, sniffling and heavy breathing. A cat may also eat less and lose weight because of its inability to smell food.

    Identification

    • The discharge that results from nasal congestion is important in determining the cause of the congestion. For example, clear discharge probably means the cat is suffering from allergies or a minor infection. Other more serious conditions may be the case if the discharge is thick and cloudy, which may indicate a bacterial infection. Also, blood in the discharge may indicate a severe infection. When blood is present, it is important for a cat owner to get the animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the problem.

    Treatment

    • It is possible to treat feline nasal congestion once the cause is determined. Congestion caused by allergies can be dealt with by simply taking care of the allergy. Similarly, if the cat is suffering from a bacterial or fungal infection, medication can be prescribed to get rid of the congestion. It is difficult to treat nasal congestion caused by a virus, cancer or non-cancerous polyps that form in the nasal cavity. Many viruses are incurable, and tumors, both benign and malignant, are difficult to remove through surgery.

    Considerations

    • Many times, nasal congestion is treated with antibiotics even though it is usually caused by a viral infection. Antibiotics can help ease nasal congestion if "secondary bacterial invaders" accompany the initial virus. It is also possible for human nose drop products to help ease a cat's congestion, but only if first approved by a veterinarian.