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Why is my cat sneezing multiple times in a row? Sneezing from a cat is amusing to hear but not typical. Sneezing in cats can have acute or chronic causes, including irritants like chemicals, cigarette smoke, cleaning supplies and scents, scented cat litter, and allergies, as well as unusual foreign bodies like grass blades or parasite infections (e.g., Cuterebra in the nose).
Why is My Cat Sneezing Multiple Times in A Row?
Chronic cat sneezing may be caused by rhinitis, fungi, or even cancer and requires the proper workup and long-term therapy. However, upper respiratory infections (URIs), which are extremely prevalent in cats, are the most common cause of cat sneezing, particularly if you adopted or purchased your cat from an animal rescue or breeder. What you need to know about URIs, or what I refer to as "cat colds," is below.
What is an upper respiratory infection (URI) in cats?
Sneezing, watery eyes, discharge from the nose, and even "pink eye" in cats are symptoms frequently associated with feline upper respiratory infections (URIs). "Cat colds" can occasionally be light (e.g., the occasional sneeze). Others may be more serious and show symptoms like fatigue, fever, acting distant or hiding, decreased appetite (including not eating at all!), and lethargy.
A feline URI is comparable to the human "common cold" (although the viruses causing it are different). Common colds in people are generally caused by viral infections and are more prevalent in the winter. As opposed to "cat colds," which are prevalent all year round. In my experience as a veterinarian, "kitten" season—when shelters are overrun with pets—coincides with the seasons when I typically observe more sneezing cats.
What causes URIs in cats?
URIs in cats may be brought on by:
- Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), a virus
- Feline calicivirus (FCV), a virus
- Chlamydia spp.
- Mycoplasma spp.
- Bordetella bronchiseptica (known as “dog” kennel cough)
- Additionally, the uncommon but newly reported SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus)
Why did my cat contract a URI?
URIs are spread through contact with certain body fluids, such as the salivary spray of fluid that comes out of your cat's runny nose or sneeze. It's likely that your cat already had a URI when you acquired or purchased them. Cats exposed to a URI may show clinical symptoms in as little as 2 to 5 days. Your other cats may then be immediately exposed when you introduce this new cat into your home. and everyone is now sneezing!
Fortunately, URIs usually aren't communicable to you (that's essential to know, because causes include herpesvirus and Chlamydia! ), but these feline URIs can be exceedingly infectious and contagious to other cats. For this reason, I strongly recommend quarantining a new pet in your home for a minimum of 5-7 days before bringing it inside.
URI viruses may "hide" in the body for years in the "latent" form, just like the human cold sore on your lip. This is particularly true if your cat has a compromised immune system (for example, if they are immunosuppressed by feline immunodeficiency virus or if they are a young kitten).
Why does this matter? It implies that if your cat contracted a cat cold when you acquired it from the shelter ten years ago, it may "recrude" and recur with any stress (just like the human cold sore). That entails driving to see family, taking the pet to the doctor, and getting it groomed. Don't be shocked if some sneeze begins because they can also cause another recurrence of a URI in cats.
What medical symptoms indicate a URI?
Indicators of a "cat cold" include:
- Sneezing
- Breathing with the mouth open
- Increased respiratory effort
- Loud breathing or snoring sounds
- Fever
- Hiding
- Difficulty chewing food
- Nasal discharge
- Eye discharge
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Breathing harder
- Increase in the pinkness or redness of the eyelid tissues (e.g., conjunctivitis)
- Bad breath
- Drooling, which is frequently caused by oral ulcers (e.g., on the tongue, palate, etc.)
- Squinting of the eyes due to corneal ulceration
How is my cat's URI diagnosed by my veterinarian?
Veterinarians often base their URI diagnoses on a cat's medical history, clinical symptoms, physical examination results, and response to therapy. For example, if you recently got a cat, and they are sneezing with discharge coming from their eyes and nose, and the symptoms disappear after 7–10 days, we are quite sure it is an upper respiratory infection (URI). Since there is no one particular or affordable test for a URI in cats, we normally don't perform blood tests to diagnose them.
However, in order to rule out conditions such as low blood sugar, dehydration, anemia, signs of infection (such as an increased white blood cell count), feline leukemia/FIV status, and general health screening, blood work should be performed for very ill cats. Although there are tests that can search for certain URI viruses (such as conjunctival smears and antibody testing), these are less frequently used (and by a veterinary specialist or ophthalmologist).
Any conscientious pet owner should give pet insurance considerable consideration. Knowing how pet insurance functions and what it covers will enable you to make an educated choice regarding your pet's medical requirements and to allocate funds properly.
How is URI cared for?
A feline URI has no "cure," antidote, or treatment, much like a human cold. Really, all a cat needs is gentle loving care at home to recover from a cold! The majority of the time, this will go within a week. 2 However, if it doesn't or if your cat hasn't eaten in more than a couple of days, visit a doctor right once. In certain cases, cats may require hospitalization for more severe treatment.
What can I do at home, then?
Purchase a humidifier
If your cat shares your bed, you might want to use a humidifier in the room to moisten your nasal passages. The nostril crusts will be simpler to wipe off as a result!
When you take a shower, bring your cat with you.
Allow your cat to relax on the bathroom floor while you take a shower and omit the ceiling fan. Your cat will be able to breathe easier thanks to the humidified, moist air.
I'd like some tasty canned cat food.
Your cat can't detect food if its nose is blocked by secretions or cat boogers. Your cat won't eat if they can't smell their food. You must use something really appetizing to get your cat to eat, such as INABA or human meat-based baby food (such as Gerber turkey). In a pinch, Churu cat chow will persuade your cat to eat.
Remember that feeding your cat human baby food over an extended period of time might lead to significant irregularities in the amino acids since it is unbalanced. As an alternative, you may try microwaving a tiny quantity of various cat food varieties for a few seconds to make it more appetizing for your cat (just watch out that it doesn't become too hot). Additionally, try hand feeding your cat; it could encourage them to eat; just be careful not to force feed them; that is a big no-no.
Time for quarantine!
If you own more than one cat, your animals must go into quarantine. Since URIs are so infectious, you should confine your ill cat within the house (so they don't spread it to outside or wild cats either!) and keep them separate from other feline family members.
Assist them with breastfeeding
Please carefully wipe away any discharge from the nose, eyes, and mouth using a wet cloth or cotton wipe. Keep those nostrils clean and clear since cats must breathe via their noses, never opening their mouths unless they are really straining.
You may omit the Lysine
Although it would be lovely if it did, recent research hasn't shown that lysine directly helps cats with URIs. It's not worth poisoning your cat!
But what if your cat exhibits more pronounced symptoms or doesn't recover from the URI? Please visit a vet right away since you could need more medication and care. If your cat has signs of a secondary bacterial infection or pus from the eyes or nose, you may administer subcutaneous fluids (given under the skin) to help hydrate them, a long-acting antibiotic injection, appetite stimulants (such mirtazapine), or even eye medicine (if corneal ulcers or conjunctivitis is present).
In a small number of situations, an urgent or overnight veterinarian visit may be required for intravenous (IV) fluids, intravenous antibiotics, oxygen, supportive care (such as nebulization, humidification, and thermal support), and in extreme instances, a temporary feeding tube.
Prognosis
The good news is that with supportive treatment, the prognosis for a feline URI is favorable. Try the home treatments mentioned above if your cat has a URI, but if they stop eating after two to three days or if the symptoms are growing worse, you must take them to the doctor.
Additionally, keep in mind that the best method to avoid an initial URI is to keep your cat healthy, inside, and up to date on their vaccinations.
References
- "Merck Manual Veterinary Manual," Kuehn NF, "Feline Respiratory Disease Complex." Retrieved on January 26, 2023.
- "Feline Upper Respiratory Infection," UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program. Retrieved on January 26, 2023.
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