Understanding and Managing Runny Nose: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments

Causes and treatment of runny nose. For many of us, there is no stranger to the image of a kitten with crushed eyes and purulent discharge from the nose. Unfortunately, this is a fairly common disease among small kittens, known to most as “cat rhinitis.” While a runny nose may not be too dangerous for humans, it can be a big problem for our pet. How can this unpleasant ailment be prevented and what causes it?

What are the causes of runny nose?

The disease is caused by two fairly common viruses in the environment: the herpes virus (FHV-1) and the calicivirus (FCV). These are the pathogens that most commonly cause problems for cats in large groups where the conditions for the spread of the infection are much more favorable.

The infection occurs in the discharge from the eyes, nose and mouth. The disease is caused by direct contact with a sick cat, as well as through dirty bowls and other objects. A major problem in limiting the spread of these viruses is that animals that have been infected for many weeks or even a lifetime are asymptomatic carriers of the virus in their environment. Because of these factors, the risk of infection is very high, especially for those with weakened immunity.

The disease mainly affects young kittens, whose immune systems are still developing, as well as adult cats under severe stress, chronic diseases or those whose immunity is weakened by immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia (FeLV).

What are the symptoms of runny nose

The symptoms of FHV-1 and FCV infection are similar, but the course of the disease caused by the herpes virus is usually much more severe. In addition, symptoms are strongly affected in the case of secondary bacterial infections.

Sneezing, decreased appetite, and fever-induced apathy are usually the first to be noticed. This is followed by redness of the nasal discharge and conjunctiva, often with tearing.

Excessive salivation also sometimes occurs. Over time, nasal and ocular secretions change from an aqueous nature to purulent secretions that dry out around the eyes and nostrils.

Sometimes, especially in kittens, there is severe inflammation of the cornea of ​​the eye. Without treatment, cats can lose vision and even the entire eyeball. In the mouth, ulcers are most commonly seen mainly on the tongue, less frequently on the gums and even the lips.

Very weak cats may develop pneumonia associated with severe respiratory distress. The diagnosis is usually made by a veterinarian based on clinical symptoms, throat smear, and blood tests.

How to treat a cat’s runny nose?

The treatment is mainly based on maintaining and strengthening the cat’s body by fighting viral drugs that stimulate the immune system. Antibiotics should be used for secondary bacterial infections.

Severely debilitated kittens sometimes need to be hospitalized and given drips when a sick kitten does not want to eat and drink water. The care that a cat owner can provide at home is very important for treatment.

Cats should be encouraged to eat. It is best to give them a favorite food with a strong aroma, because the disease weakens the sense of smell. Sometimes it is necessary to chop food because it can hurt the cat when swallowing.

In some cases, it is necessary to choose specialized veterinary food. In the case of respiratory problems, which are usually caused by thick secretions in the upper respiratory tract, it is recommended to use inhalation or to increase the humidity of the room where the sick animal lives.

Is it possible to avoid cat runny nose?

As with many diseases, prevention is paramount to reducing the risk of disease. Commercial vaccines against FHV-1 and FCV are quite effective. It should be remembered that vaccines do not provide 100% protection against diseases, but they significantly reduce their risk, and in the case of disease development, the disease is usually transmitted unnoticed.

Even cats kept at home on a regular basis are more likely to be infected with these viruses because we can bring uninvited guests to the apartment on shoes or clothes. When we notice that one of our pets has symptoms of this disease, it is important to isolate it from other animals. It is also important to take care of environmental hygiene, as the herpes virus in particular is very sensitive to most disinfectants.