How to treat a cat's runny nose at home

The cat's nose serves as a channel of perception and a filter for foreign inclusions that are trying to penetrate into the sinuses from the environment. It is not uncommon for an animal to have a runny nose for unknown reasons. At such moments, the owners clutching their heads, not knowing what to do. Discharge from the nasal sinuses is considered to be a complex disease that cannot always be cured at home. Consider the important aspects in order, we give practical recommendations.

Features of rhinitis in cats

During the disease, the body tries to cure without external intervention, so the fluid from the nose is released in large quantities. Since the effusions are anti-inflammatory and bactericidal, they remove extraneous blotches from the sinuses.

Discharges envelop the nasal mucosa, eliminate dust and dirt, debris particles.In addition, they are designed to ensure that the cat's nose does not shrink inside, otherwise irritation may occur. If we talk about the causes of runny nose, the discharge varies considerably in consistency, color, density.

Nature of discharge

1. Highlights can go out at a certain time of day. For example, they flow only in the mornings and evenings, and disappear during the day. Also, a runny nose may be present constantly, not allowing the animal to breathe freely.
2. Some cats suffer from a reddish, white or yellow tinge with patches of burgundy. They flow quite intensively and strongly smeared.
3. As for the "standard" rhinitis, which usually manifests itself due to hypothermia, the outflows can be viscous and cloudy, thick and liquid, transparent.
4. It is not uncommon for the discharge to seize with a crust in the nasal passage. From here a constant vulture appears, the animal starts wheezing and sneezing.

Causes and treatment of rhinitis in cats

Do not try to cure a cat's runny nose if you do not know what the cause of the disease is. First of all, it is necessary to identify the "center of fire", and then put it out.Consider the most common reasons and try to find a solution.

Reason number 1. Ear canal inflammation
Inflammation of the ear can occur for various reasons. This includes the spread of infection, hypothermia and other diseases of this kind. If cats begin an inflammatory process in the ear canal, it will surely affect the nasopharynx.

Since the mucosa in this area is more delicate, delicate than the skin in the ear, you can confuse the true causes. A runny nose will not pass until you cure the ear canals of a pet. For this reason, insist on a comprehensive examination during a trip to the vet to assess the general condition of the animal.

Reason number 2. Viral infection
The presence of viruses is considered to be a dangerous symptom. Examine the animal's eyes: if they are watering, the pet sneezes intensively and coughs, refuses to eat and suffers from dehydration - go to the vet. In combination with a runny nose and indigestion of the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, nausea and vomiting), the pet can be seriously ill (rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, calcivirosis, etc.).

If you do not take action in the next day, the situation could be fatal. Go to the veterinary clinic for the help of a specialist, do not engage in amateur activities.

It is important to remember forever that there are no medicines that fight the feline virus directly. As a rule, an experienced doctor prescribes supportive therapy, and then the immunity must cope with the disease independently. The faster you take the animal for inspection, the sooner it will recover. In order to further avoid a viral infection, vaccinate the cat according to the vaccination schedule (1 time per year).

Reason number 3. Chronic diseases
Strange as it may sound, a cat may have a runny nose due to a disruption of the internal organs that are not related to the airways. These include heart disease and abnormalities in his work, diabetes, obesity, nephritis, ICD.

If to speak from a theoretical point of view, any chronic disease that the owner ignored and did not heal, causes inflammation of the sinuses or the eyes of the cat. This includes all chronic diseases that occur slowly and imperceptibly to the human eye.

This feature is achieved by reducing the pet's immune system, as a result of which the body can no longer fight bacteria, protozoa and viruses in an appropriate measure. Only one way out - to carry out the therapy of the disease, which caused a runny nose.

Reason number 4. The presence of parasites
The presence of parasites such as ticks, worms, fleas and other "inhabitants" can lead to a cold. Depending on the amount of blood-sucking, the discharge may be cloudy or transparent, with or without a splash of foreign color. In some cats, snot flow constantly, in others a runny nose appears only at certain times of the day.

If the disease manifested itself for this reason, it is important to understand that there is not only irritation of the nasal mucosa, but also the beginning of an allergic reaction to parasite bites. The overall immune system is reduced, resulting in hypersensitivity to various factors.

There are frequent cases when the parasite penetrates into the nasal sinuses, speaking a foreign body. To cure a cold, you need to proglytogonit pet, bring ticks, fleas and eaters. If possible, remove the parasites when they appear.

Reason number 5. Allergic reaction
Allergies can cause external irritants. This includes shampoo against fleas and ticks, household chemicals, cat food, indoor plants, drops from parasites and other items. Feline immune system perceives the enemy of all but distilled water. Do not exclude allergies as the cause of a cold, even if you have not previously noticed a similar disease in a cat.

In most cases, the allergy manifests itself in the form of clear and liquid secretions, similar in consistency to water. The animal has watery eyes when in contact with an allergen. Occasionally, there is swelling of the extremities, shortness of breath, dermatitis and itching. The treatment takes a long period, the final outcome depends on whether it is possible to protect the pet from contact with the cause of the allergy. Only one way out - eliminate the source, be it dust, pollen, shampoo or a new feed.

Reason number 6. Substances irritating the mucous
Feline mucosa is very sensitive, it can become inflamed in cases where an animal accidentally inhales volatile vapor, acrid smoke, dust or sand, perfume, air freshener, household powder, etc.Often particles of dry grass, a stone or a part of a peeled claw fall into the pet's nose. If the animal has a runny nose for this reason, the discharge will be permanent, copious, translucent or transparent. The cat will begin to sneeze, shake his head. If volatile vapors become the cause, conjunctivitis develops.

If the free edge of a foreign object is clearly visible, you can get it yourself. After that, get drops from a cold in a veterinary pharmacy, which relieve swelling, heal the mucous membrane and have a calming effect. Drip the composition of 7 days according to the instructions. If you are unable to remove the body or have been allowed contact with volatile substances, contact your veterinarian.

Reason number 7. Fungus

To eliminate the causes of this kind, it is necessary to use bactericidal and antifungal drugs aimed at the extermination of "unfriendly neighbors." Regular drops from a cold will reduce the symptoms, but they will not eliminate the problem completely. Consult your doctor so that he smears on the degree of sensitivity and flora, after which he prescribed medicines.

Reason number 8. Hypothermia
Hypothermia is considered to be the most common cause of rhinitis. The favorite of the family was locked up on the balcony or fell asleep in a draft, walked out on the street in winter. In addition to the cold cat begins to sneeze, cuddle up to the battery, often pet znobit.

In such cases, wrap the animal in a warm blanket, attach to the paws a few heaters, watch the state. If the animal does not want to drink and eat, go to the vet. In no case do not give the cat vodka, do not moisten it with hot water, such actions cause heart arrhythmia and breathing difficulties.

Watch carefully for the nature of the discharge to describe them later to the vet.The doctor will diagnose much faster if he has all the necessary information. Watch your pet's behavior, even if it doesn’t cause you much concern. An animal may scratch its nose on the carpet or the foot of the owner without any reason (in your opinion), although it does not have a visible rhinitis. Look at how a cat sleeps (with open or closed mouth), whether it is eating, pay attention to the little things.

Video: cat colds