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Nasal Discharge In Cats

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