rhinitis in cats is a relatively common disorder, often related to viruses that cause respiratory problems such as herpesvirus or calicivirus. But, as we will see in this article on our site, there are several causes behind rhinitis, to the point that it can be difficult to reach a diagnosis.
If we observe that our cat has a persistent nasal secretion, we should go to our veterinarian, since he could be suffering from rhinitis and/or sinusitis. Keep reading and discover how to know if your cat has rhinitis and what to do.
Symptoms of rhinitis in cats
Rhinitis is a inflammation of the nasal cavity The nasal region, which begins in the nostrils that we can see from the outside, continues in the nasal cavity, which occupies what we see from the outside as the snout, and extends connecting with the throat and the sinuses. The inflammation of these is called sinusitis and it is common to occur in rhinitis, as well as other problems in the respiratory tract or the ear, due to the connection that all these systems have.
The prominent symptoms of rhinitis are runny nose and sneezing, but there may also be wheezing. The characteristics of the secretion can help us establish the diagnosis.
Causes of rhinitis in cats
As we have said, viral infections are usually behind rhinitis. Viruses cause rhinitis and other symptoms such as eye discharge, cough, or anorexia. In addition, herpesviruses and caliciviruses remain in the body, even if the cat appears he althy and, in situations where defenses are reduced, it is easy for these viruses to produce symptoms again, which can lead to a picture of chronic rhinitisin cats.
Immunodeficiency virus and Feline leukemia they may also be involved in nasal infections. Another serious cause of rhinitis is fungi such as Cryptococcus, which are responsible for mycotic rhinitis in cats and that they can also form granulomas. In these cases, the nasal secretion may appear only through one of the orifices, as in the cases of polyps or tumors. The latter appear especially in cats over ten years old, and adenocarcinoma stands out. Likewise, they can explain the appearance of rhinitis in which the secretion is unilateral and, sometimes, stained with blood. On the other hand, dental problems or oronasal fistulas can also lead to feline rhinitis. It should be noted that when there is a growth, be it a polyp, tumor or abscess, we may notice that our cat's face is deformed.
Other causes of rhinitis in cats are allergies, the presence in the nasal cavity of foreign bodies causing irritation or trauma, such as falling from a height or being run over. In addition, bacterial infections can complicate any of these situations, producing a purulent discharge.
How to diagnose rhinitis in cats?
If we notice that our cat has a runny nose that does not go away, we should go to the vet. This secretion dulls the cat's sense of smell, so it can lose interest in food, which will aggravate the condition. Finding the cause of rhinitis is not always easy and, sometimes, it is necessary to perform cultures to find out what type of infection we are dealing with,rhinoscopy , to see the state of the nasal cavity and detect the presence of polyps, tumors or foreign bodies, as well as to take samples, or x-rays that allow assessment of bone structures.
For complicated cases, magnetic resonance is used, which allows us to examine the breasts. If the cat shows more symptoms such as anorexia or listlessness, it is advisable to perform a blood test to have information about its general condition and the possible presence of infections that can be diagnosed with specific tests.
How to cure rhinitis in cats?
The treatment of rhinitis in cats will depend on the cause:
- If we are facing a bacterial infection the vet will prescribe antibiotics, broad-spectrum or specific if we have done a culture.
- If the rhinitis is caused by fungi, the treatment of choice will be antifungals. In both cases they must be administered for weeks.
- Polyps may require surgery, the same as a tumor, which can also be treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
- In dental problems it is usually necessary to remove the affected teeth.
- In viral cases, which are going to be very numerous, immune system stimulants could be tried. Antibiotics are also prescribed to control secondary bacterial infections.
We must know that rhinitis can become chronic, in which case the treatment will be aimed at treating the symptoms so that the cat has a Good life quality. For all these reasons, self-medicating the cat is never a good idea, since the administration of an inappropriate drug can seriously worsen the animal's condition.
