Mucus in cats is usually associated with catarrhal, viral and/or bacterial processes that affect the upper respiratory tract. But not always that there is mucus the cause is a cold. Thus, in this article on our site we are going to explain why a cat has snot, listing the most probable causes.
In any case, the pathologies that we will name will require a veterinary examination to reach a diagnosis that allows us to establish the most appropriate treatment. Therefore, in case of runny nose in cats, after informing yourself of the possible reasons, the first thing you should do is visit a specialist to find out how to decongest the nose of your cat and, most importantly, what's wrong with it.
Runny nose in cats
If we want to know why our cat has runny nose, we must start by understanding that a runny nose is produced when there is some agent that irritates the nostrils. As this irritation is also the cause of sneezing, it is normal for both symptoms, that is, snot and sneezing in cats, to occur simultaneously. We must pay attention to the appearance of the secretion, whether it affects one of the nostrils or both, the presence or absence of other symptoms, the way they appear, etc., to transmit the information to the veterinarian and, thus, help you establish the diagnosis.
Why does my cat have runny nose?
Most often, the explanation for why a cat has runny nose is found, especially in younger kittens, in a viral diseasecalled rhinotracheitis , which is characterized by intense mucus accompanied by eye discharge, mouth lesions, dehydration, anorexia, fever, etc., depending on severity and the viruses involved. The presence of these viruses damages the nasal mucosa and creates an environment conducive to the proliferation of bacteria. This process is normally behind the appearance of rhinitis in cats , another problem that produces mucus and eye discharge, as well as sinusitis and sneezing.
In this way, if your cat has runny nose and watery eyes, it is possible that he suffers from one or both conditions, so it is necessary to visit the specialist to diagnose the problem and treat it.
Why is my cat sneezing and sneezing?
We have already seen a runny nose in cats accompanied by sneezing, it may be due to rhinitis, however, it is not the only existing cause. Thus, a common cold also usually presents these symptoms, in addition to shortness of breath, fever, apathy, loss of appetite, cough and even a slight secretion ocular. If your cat has mucus and breathes badly and you suspect that this may be the cause, don't miss this article to find out what to do and how to decongest your cat's nose with a cold: "Home remedies for colds in cats".
On the other hand, the cat flu is another of the diseases that produces mucus in cats and sneezing, watery eyes, fever, cough, mouth ulcers and lethargy. It can be caused by calcivirus or feline herpesvirus, and depending on the virus that has triggered it, the symptoms will be or less severe, as will the treatment. Again, a visit to the vet is mandatory.
Other causes of runny nose in cats
Other less common causes of a runny nose are due to fungal infections, polyps, neoplasms, injuries, foreign bodies, or even dental disease serious. Growths within the oral cavity can deform the face and produce unilateral discharge, sometimes with the presence of blood, symptoms that can also appear in fungal infections.
Because of all of the above, if your cat has bloody mucus it is important to go to a specialist to examine it carefully and determine the cause. As we have seen, the symptoms are common to most diseases and he alth problems that can cause a runny nose.
What to do if my cat has a lot of mucus?
If we observe mucus accompanied or not by symptoms like the ones we have described and we want to know why our cat has mucus, we should go to the vet. A disease such as rhinotracheitis can be determined just by observing the symptoms. In these cases it is necessary that the veterinarian prescribes antibiotics for cats with colds, since, although these will not act against viruses, they do fight bacterial infections that are associate secondarily, taking advantage of the lesions that viruses produce.
If the cat does not respond well to treatment, it is possible to perform a culture of the secretions to discover the pathogen, so that a more specific antibiotic can be prescribed or, if necessary, aantifungal These treatments will be longer. A polyp can be removed and a cancer treated with chemotherapy. Of course, we must always maintain nose hygiene.
In some cases, tests such as rhinoscopy, x-rays or biopsies may be required and will be performed with the cat anesthetized. If we are dealing with a chronic runny nose, that is, the cat always has snot, bone involvement may have occurred, which will be irreversible. If this is the case the treatment will be palliative and should include special attention to nutrition, since the stuffy nose makes it difficult to smell and, consequently, to eat. Heating the food helps enhance its aroma and encourages the cat to eat.
How to decongest a cat's nose?
Regardless of the reason why a cat has snot, if it is abundant it will clog the nose and we will see that the cat has dry snot once it comes into contact with the air. It is important that we clean them to facilitate breathing. To clean a cat's nose, do not pluck the mucus dry, as we could cause a wound. On the contrary, we can wet a gauze or cotton in serum or simply water, passing it gently through the lumps. If they don't come out at first, before rubbing we will use the warm liquid.
We can also decongest the cat's nose with steam A simple way to do it is to put the cat in the bathroom with us while we take a bath a hot shower. In the most serious cases, the veterinarian will perform a nasal lavage with serum and the anesthetized cat.
Does distemper exist in cats?
Finally, we must point out that, as we have seen, distemper is not among the causes that explain why our cat has runny nose. This is because, technically, distemper in cats is called feline panleukopenia or feline infectious enteritis Distemper as such is a serious viral disease that exclusively affects to the dogs. In cats, as we say, despite being named in the same way, it is correct to refer to the disease using the terms indicated.
Canine distemper produces a purulent nasal discharge as its main symptom, however, in cats panleukopenia does not usually present this sign By For this reason, if the cat has green mucus, although we can relate it to distemper, we must know that it is most likely to be one of the problems mentioned above, such as rhinotracheitis, rhinitis or feline flu.
