AH-CHOO!!! Did you hear that? Was that a sneeze coming from your cat? What happened? Did something trigger it or tickle his nose? Could there be something wrong? If your cat just sneezes once or twice and is not displaying any additional symptoms, such as discharge from the nose or eyes and still has a good appetite and energy level, then those sneezes could most likely be from an allergy or contact with an irritant like cigarette smoke or air fresheners.
However, if you observe a runny nose and eyes along with the sneeze, then your cat could be dealing with an upper respiratory infection. Yep…the cat cold!
If your cat is sneezing and you are uncertain as to the cause, the following are some common symptoms that could be indicative of a cat cold, as referenced by petmd.com with Dr. Katie Grzyb, DVM:
Coughing
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Fever
Dehydration
Continued sneezing
Discharge from the eyes or nose, which could be watery or thick with color ranging from clear white to yellow or green
Excessive swallowing
Raised third eyelid
So, what causes a cold in cats?
These types of colds are typically aggravated by an infection with certain types of viruses. In certain cases, there could be an underlying secondary bacterial infection that can develop. This is concerning, as it could develop into pneumonia.
Diagnosis
If you think your cat has a cold, the first step is to contact your veterinarian and schedule an appointment. It is important to have your cat seen, as other conditions can cause cold-like symptoms in a cat. These conditions include allergies, chronic infections, respiratory irritants, and benign or cancerous tumors.
First, the exam; then, the treatment
After a thorough examination by your veterinarian, your cat may be prescribed a course of treatment for the cold. Failure to appropriately respond to the treatment could result in the need for blood tests, x-rays and other diagnostic tests to ascertain the underlying cause. A more aggressive treatment may then be required.
If your vet determines your cat has a bacterial infection, he or she will probably prescribe antibiotics. Viral infections are usually targeted by the cat’s own immune system over a period of time.
If your cat refuses to eat or drink, he may need to be hospitalized for fluid therapy and nutritional needs.
Nursing your cat back to good health
When your cat is back at home, it is important to keep his eyes and nose clean from the discharge. Simply use a soft cloth or paper towel moistened with warm water. You can use a vaporizer or just place your cat in a steamy bathroom to help the sinuses and nasal passages drain.
Attend to your cat’s dietary needs. Offer warmed canned cat food or some meat-based baby food to encourage him to eat. Be sure your cat has sufficient fresh water to drink. Keep him hydrated!
As always, if you are uncertain as to how your cat is responding or believe his condition to worsen, consult your veterinarian for the proper course of action.
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
