Chronic Rhinitis in Cats

Because cats cannot speak, part of being a responsible pet owner is keeping an eye out for symptoms that your cat might be ill. Chronic rhinitis is a fairly common condition in cats. It can lead to more severe health issues, so recognizing it early and taking steps to treat it is integral to the cat's health and happiness.

  1. The Facts

    • Every cat sneezes one and awhile. If your cat is sneezing on a regular basis and also has symptoms such as nasal discharge and trouble breathing through her nose, then she might have chronic rhinitis. This condition can range in severity from animal to animal and often flares up when a cat is ill or under stress. Chronic rhinitis in cats can stem from several sources and should be monitored by a veterinarian.

    Viral Infection

    • Chronic rhinitis in cats can be caused by a viral infection. Upper respiratory infections triggered by feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline herpes virus or feline calici virus can all lead to chronic rhinitis. These viruses are easily passed from one animal to another, so one sick cat in your household can quickly infect the others. Your veterinarian can perform blood tests to determine which virus is causing the symptoms and then provide treatment.

    Foreign Body

    • If your cat spends a lot of time outdoors then a foreign body could be the cause of his chronic rhinitis. Blade of grass and other small objects can get lodged in your cat's nose, leading to chronic sneezing as your cat's body tries to dislodge the object. Your cat can also experience the same reaction if a tumor or small growth develops within the nasal passage. A veterinarian can flush out foreign bodies or remove a growth.

    Other Causes

    • Chronic rhinitis can be triggered by other causes, including bacterial and fungal infections. In those cases, a veterinarian will need to run blood tests to isolate the cause and prescribe a course of treatment. Allergies can trigger chronic rhinitis in cats. If you remove the allergen from your cat's environment or give her an antihistamine, the sneezing and nasal discharge might clear up.

    Considerations

    • If your cat is experiencing chronic rhinitis you should not ignore the symptoms. While on occasion they will fade, they usually reappear. Untreated rhinitis can develop into more dangerous conditions like bronchitis or pneumonia. There is also a risk that your cat's nasal cartilage could be damaged. To protect your cat's long-term health as well as the health of any other pets in your household, talk to your veterinarian about chronic rhinitis in your cat.