Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
SNEEZING
Cats cannot blow their noses, and unfortunately because of this they
sneeze out a lot of junk.This sounds gross, and it is. Sneezing is a non-
specific sign that occurs when the nasal passages become stimulated by
secretions or an irritant.
There is no “cure” for sneezing because there are so many different
causes. Possible causes of sneezing include:
•
Viral infections
•
Bacterial infections
•
Fungal infections
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Allergies
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Irritants
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Foreign objects
Antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays for humans are usu-
ally not very useful for sneezing cats. If you have a sneezing cat, the best
thing to do is have her examined by a veterinarian, so that a cause can
be determined and a specific treatment suggested.
Although examining your cat's nasal discharge is not a pleasant task,
the color and consistency hold clues. In general, if the discharge is clear
and watery, it is nothing to worry about. If the discharge is green, yel-
low or bloody, medical care is required. Cats can get bloody noses from
dry air and irritation, just like we do, but a bloody nose can also be a
sign of severe infection or even a nasal tumor.
Allergies
Although most cats with allergies have itchy skin, some do sneeze. Cats
can be allergic to just about anything in the world, including pollen,
house dust and even kitty litter. Allergies usually produce a clear dis-
charge when the animal sneezes. Allergies can be managed, but they
can't be cured.
It can be quite difficult to determine specifically which allergen is
causing the cat to sneeze. Although it is impossible to test a cat for all
possible allergens, your vet can test for some common ones. If specific
allergens are identified, you can either remove them from the environ-
ment or try to desensitize the animal with allergy shots.
