| In cats, chronic viral nasal disease develops from one | | | | a polyp. |
| of two viruses involved in upper-respiratory tract | | | | If the history suggest a systemic cause, then a |
| diseases. Both the feline rhinotracheitis virus (FVR) | | | | complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, |
| and feline calici virus (FCV) are extremely contagious. | | | | urinalysis, and chest x-rays are indicated. These tests |
| Clinically, the difference between these two viruses is | | | | should also be done if there is any concern about |
| unnecessary for diagnosis and treatment. | | | | anesthetic risk for the next phase of the |
| Symptoms and Causes | | | | examination. |
| The typical signs associated with chronic viral disease | | | | The second phase of examination involves more |
| include sneezing, bilateral nasal discharge, nasal | | | | aggressive testing, such as skull x-rays, endoscopy, |
| bleeding, increased breathing sounds, and discharge | | | | and nasal biopsies to eliminate non-viral causes for the |
| from the eyes. Any bleeding associated with viral | | | | nasal disease. You may or may not want to continue |
| disease is usually very minimal; however, if nasal | | | | with this aggressive diagnostic path, depending on |
| bleeding becomes extreme, it may be suggestive of | | | | the severity of clinical signs and the evidence |
| a tumor. | | | | provided by the history, physical examination, and |
| Nasal discharge from one side of the nose is more | | | | other less invasive tests. |
| typical of a foreign body, tumor, or tooth-root | | | | Treatment |
| abscess. Moderate to severe bleeding or deformity | | | | Some form of antibiotic treatment is often |
| of the facial bones suggests an erosive process, such | | | | prescribed for a cat with chronic viral nasal disease. If |
| as cancer fungal or a foreign body. | | | | the chosen antibiotic is going to be effective, |
| To differentiate chronic viral nasal disease from other | | | | symptoms should improve noticeably in three to five |
| causes of feline upper-respiratory disease, you must | | | | days. |
| know the past health of the cat. Any previous signs | | | | If improvement is evident, your veterinarian will |
| of acute infection would be expected with viral | | | | determine the length of time that the antibiotics |
| disease. An old injury or prior trauma might have | | | | should be continued. Normally, the dose is tapered off |
| healed externally but resulted in deep bone damage | | | | slowly. In some cats, intermittent bouts of sneezing |
| or changes in the nasal anatomy which can lead a | | | | can be controlled by continued administration of |
| patient to be predisposed to nasal disease. | | | | low-dose antibiotics. |
| Diagnosis | | | | Symptomatic treatment also includes the use of |
| A cat with chronic viral nasal disease is generally in | | | | decongestants, cortisone, and humidification. Your |
| good condition. Chronic viral nasal disease can be | | | | veterinarian will determine the best treatment for |
| diagnosed only by the elimination of other upper | | | | your cat. Local decongestant therapy can be very |
| respiratory conditions, such as cancer, foreign bodies, | | | | helpful. Local treatment also decreases the chance of |
| bacterial disease, allergic disease, fungal disease, | | | | systemic side effects. Decongestants can be given |
| polyps, dental disease, and prior trauma. Not only will | | | | topically or orally. |
| this guide your veterinarian in the proper course of | | | | The problem of using cortisone is that it can mask |
| treatment, but will also give you an accurate | | | | the development of other problems or decrease the |
| prognosis. If the diagnosis becomes chronic viral nasal | | | | ability of the abnormal nasal cavity to cope with |
| disease, you may expect a long-term treatment or | | | | infection. Cats who are virus carriers may start |
| potentially negative results. | | | | actively shedding the virus. Consequently, cortisone |
| Your veterinarian will examine the skull and hard | | | | should only be used if absolutely necessary and with |
| palate very carefully, along with an eye examination. | | | | close monitoring. |
| The viruses involved in upper-respiratory diseases do | | | | Humidification is a very simple way to provide relief |
| not cause mass lesions or inflammation of the inner | | | | to some patients. Increasing the moisture content of |
| structures of the eye. If these problems are | | | | the nasal secretions makes it easier for all the |
| identified, then viral disease is unlikely. | | | | material in the nose to drain. Home vaporizers are |
| To rule out the possibility of cancer, the lymph nodes | | | | inexpensive and easily obtainable from local drug |
| around the cat's head and neck are also carefully | | | | stores. Placing the cat in a bathroom while the |
| examined. Your veterinarian may also look for a | | | | shower runs may also be helpful. |
| discharge from both sides of the nose or from the | | | | To increase your cat's comfort, frequently clean your |
| cat's eyes. After antibiotics are discontinued, there | | | | cat's face, nose, and eyes with cotton balls and |
| may be sneezing and relapse of symptoms. These | | | | water. You can also heat the food to help your cat |
| signs are similar to what would be seen in a cat with | | | | smell it and increase the appetite. |