Cat Sneezing Diagnosis

If your cat sneezes once in a while, then it is completely normal, and simply points to the fact that its nasal passage is irritated by something, which could be an irritant or allergen. However, if your cat is sneezing continuously and for a prolonged time period, then it might be a cause of concern. In such a situation, you will probably like to visit a veterinarian for diagnosis, in order to ascertain the underlying cause of this problem.

Sneezing in Felines

Causes
In general, there can be several causes of sneezing, right from cold, sinus infection, allergies to conditions like, dental problems, nasal polyps and nasal cancer. Continuous sneezing can be more commonly associated with feline upper respiratory infections, which can be caused by parainfluenza virus, adenovirus and also by certain bacteria. Sometimes, sneezing in cats can be caused by the feline herpes virus, in which case, your cat may experience intermittent periods of flare ups and remissions.

Occasional sneezing can also be caused by allergens, and irritants present in the environment. Cats can be allergic to a number of substances including, mold, pollen, perfumes, pest and fly sprays, cigarette smoke and a host of cleaning products. They can sneeze a lot, whenever they come in contact with such irritants. The Persian cat breeds and cats with flat face and constricted nasal passage can be more susceptible to sneezing, when exposed to environmental allergens and irritants. Another cause which often goes unnoticed is dental problems like, tooth abscess. Many times, tooth abscess caused by an infection can enter and irritate the nasal region, thereby compelling the affected cat to sneeze a lot. Rarely, excessive sneezing, especially when the cat sneezes up blood, could be a sign of nasal cancer. However, sneezing up blood is not always associated with cancer.

Diagnosis
The diagnosis would require physical examination of the affected cat, and some diagnostic tests and examinations. An important point to be considered while diagnosing the condition is its frequency. Veterinarians suspect an underlying health problem, only when sneezing is continuous and frequent. Occasional sneezing and wheezing, along with symptoms like runny nose, itching, swollen eyes and breathing difficulty, can be caused by allergies. But sneezing and coughing, accompanied by the presence of mucus, breathing difficulty, swollen glands and eyes and fever, is more likely to be a case of upper respiratory infections.

If dental problem is responsible for causing sneezing, then one can smell a bad odor in the cat's mouth. If such foul odor is present, then veterinarians look for swollen gums or tooth abscess. Presence of bloody nasal discharge can be however, an indicator of nasal cancer. Therefore, veterinarians usually try to find out if sneezing is accompanied by other symptoms for accurate diagnosis. They also examine the nasal discharge, if present. A clear nasal secretion can be the sign of allergies, while gray, cloudy or green colored, thick nasal discharge can be an indicator of dental problem, fungal infections, presence of foreign substance in the nasal passage, and sometimes, cancer. The tests and examinations that are usually carried out are, culture of a sample of nasal secretion, examination of the nasal passage, fungal serology, X-ray and CT scan.

Treatment
The treatment would depend on the underlying causes. If allergies is the main cause, then the best treatment is to identify and remove the particular allergen from the surrounding. However, there is no cure for viral infections, and the best way to protect your cats from such infections is vaccination. But, if your cat has already been infected, then take adequate care to make sure that it does not get dehydrated. Also, be sure to remove the nasal discharge from time to time, so that it can breathe easily. If viral infection is accompanied by fever and excessive cough, then consult a veterinarian.

In case of feline herpes, supplementation of lysine can provide some relief. Antibiotics are the preferred option to treat this condition caused by bacterial infection, while for fungal infection, antifungal drugs will be required. Sneezing caused by dental problems would on the other hand, resolve on its own, with the treatment of that specific problem. But, surgery may need to be performed, in case of nasal polyps. On the other hand, nasal cancer would require chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

If your cat is sneezing a lot for a long time, and sneezing is also accompanied by the symptoms which have been mentioned already, then it is better to seek medical attention. Only a veterinarian could properly evaluate this condition and help to treat it accordingly.