How to treat a runny nose in a cat at home

The cat's nose serves as a channel of perception and a filter from foreign inclusions that try to enter the sinuses from the environment. There are frequent cases when an animal runs a runny nose for unknown reasons. At such moments, the owners clutch their heads, not knowing what to do. Discharge from the sinuses is rightly considered a complex disease that can not always be cured at home. Consider the important aspects in order, give practical recommendations.

Features of the common cold in cats

During the disease, the body tries to recover without outside intervention, therefore, fluid from the nose is secreted in large quantities. Since the outflows are anti-inflammatory and bactericidal, they remove extraneous inclusions from the sinuses.

Allocations envelop the nasal mucosa, eliminate dust and dirt, debris particles. In addition, they are designed so that the cat's nose does not dry out inside, otherwise irritation may appear. If we talk about the causes of the common cold, the discharge varies significantly in consistency, color, and density.

The nature of the discharge

1. Allocations can go out at certain times of the day. For example, they flow only in the mornings and evenings, and disappear during the day. Also, a runny nose can be present constantly, preventing the animal from breathing freely.
2. Some cats suffer from reddish, white, or yellow discoloration with a touch of burgundy. They flow out quite intensively and highly smeared.
3. As for the “standard” runny nose, which usually manifests itself due to hypothermia, the outflows can be viscous and cloudy, thick and liquid, transparent.
4. There are frequent cases when the discharge is seized by a crust in the nasal passage. From here a constant vulture appears, the animal begins to wheeze and sneeze.

Causes and Treatment of Runny Nose in Cats

Do not try to cure a runny nose in a cat if you do not know what the cause of the disease is. First of all, it is necessary to identify the "source of ignition", and then extinguish it. Consider the most common causes and try to find a solution.

Reason # 1. Ear canal inflammation
Ear inflammation can occur for a variety of reasons. This includes the spread of infection, hypothermia and other diseases of this kind. If the cat begins an inflammatory process in the ear canal, it will certainly affect the nasopharynx.

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

Reason number 2. Viral infection
The presence of viruses is considered to be a dangerous symptom. Inspect the animal’s eyes: if they are watery, while the pet sneezes and coughs intensively, refuses to eat and suffers from dehydration, go to the veterinarian. In combination with a runny nose and an upset gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, nausea and vomiting), the pet can be seriously ill (rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, calcivirosis and other ailments).

If you do not take action in the next day, the situation may end in death. Go to the veterinary clinic for the help of a specialist, do not engage in amateur performances.

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

Reason number 3. Chronic diseases
No matter how strange it may sound, a cat may have a runny nose due to a violation of the activity of internal organs that are not connected in any way with the respiratory tract. This includes heart disease and abnormalities in its work, diabetes, obesity, nephritis, ICD.

Speaking from a theoretical point of view, any chronic disease that the owner ignored and did not treat, causes inflammation of the sinuses or eyes of a cat. This includes all chronic diseases that are slow and invisible to the human eye.

A similar feature is achieved by lowering the pet's immune system, as a result of which the body can no longer fight bacteria, protozoa and viruses in an adequate way. There is only one way out - to carry out the therapy of the disease, which entailed 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 runny nose. Depending on the number of bloodsucking, the discharge may be cloudy or transparent, with or without a splash of foreign color. In some cats, snot flows constantly, in others, a runny nose manifests itself only at a certain time of the day.

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

There are frequent cases when the parasite penetrates the sinuses, acting as a foreign body. To cure a runny nose, you need to gobble the pet, remove ticks, fleas and lice-eaters. If possible, remove parasites when they appear.

Reason number 5. Allergic reaction
External irritants can cause allergies. This includes flea and tick shampoo, household chemicals, cat food, a houseplant, parasite drops and other items. The cat's immune system perceives as an enemy all but distilled water. Do not rule out allergies as the cause of the common cold, even if you have not previously noticed a similar ailment in a cat.

In most cases, the allergy appears in the form of a clear and liquid discharge, similar in texture to water. The animal has watery eyes when exposed to an allergen. Swelling of the extremities, difficulty breathing, dermatitis and itching are occasionally observed. Treatment takes a long period, the final outcome depends on whether you manage to protect the pet from contact with the cause of the allergy. There is only one way out - to eliminate the source, whether it is dust, pollen, shampoo or new food.

Reason # 6. Mucosal irritants
Feline mucous membranes are very sensitive, they can become inflamed when the animal accidentally breathes in vapors, caustic smoke, dust or sand, perfume, air freshener, household powder, etc. Often, particles of dry grass, stone, or part of the exfoliated substance fall into the nose of the pet. claw. If the animal has a runny nose for this reason, the discharge will be permanent, abundant, translucent or transparent. The cat will begin to sneeze, shake its 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 a cold from a cold in a veterinary pharmacy, which relieves swelling, heals the mucous membrane and has a calming effect. Drip the composition for 7 days according to the instructions. If the body could not be removed or contact with volatile substances was allowed, 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." Ordinary drops from a cold will reduce symptoms, but do not completely eliminate the problem. Consult a doctor so that he makes a smear on the degree of sensitivity and flora, after which he prescribed medications.

Reason number 8. Hypothermia
The most common cause of a cold is considered to be hypothermia. The family's favorite was locked on the balcony or fell asleep in a draft, took a walk on the street in winter. In addition to the common cold, the cat begins to sneeze, snuggle up to the battery, often the pet chills.

In such cases, wrap the animal in a warm blanket, put a few heating pads on its paws, and observe the condition. If the animal does not want to drink and eat, go to the veterinarian. In no case give the cat vodka, do not wet it with hot water, such actions cause cardiac arrhythmias and shortness of breath.

Carefully monitor the nature of the secretions in order to later describe them to the veterinarian. The doctor will diagnose much faster if he has all the necessary information. Observe your pet’s behavior even if it doesn’t cause you much concern. An animal can (for your reason) scratch its nose on the carpet or foot of the owner for no reason, although it does not have a runny nose. Take a closer look at how a cat sleeps (with open or closed mouth), whether it eats, pay attention to little things.

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