Vets commonly get phone calls from cat owners saying that their cat has a cold. Cat colds are caused by bacteria infection in the nose. A cat will show symptoms two to 17 days after being exposed to an infected cat.
-
Nose Mucus
-
A thick mucus is the most common marker of a cat's cold. Your cat might have blood in the mucus due to irritated nasal passages. Infection can spread from the nose into the sinuses.
Runny Nose
-
If your cat has a discharge, it will be one of three kinds. Watery discharge is probably an allergy, mucus is from a respiratory illness, and a thick yellow discharge means there is an infection.
Sneezing
-
Your cat might be sneezing. If she sneezes only a few times, then she probably has an irritated nose. If sneezing continues for more than a day, she might have a respiratory infection.
Eye Discharge
-
Your cat might have eye discharge with her cold. This is from draining of the sinuses.
Causes
-
Infection is caused when your cat is dehydrated or is exposed to cold weather. Her nose dries out and allows bacteria to pass through the nasal cavity into the upper respiratory system. If you think your cat has a cold, take her to the vet for examination.
-