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