Runny nose (nasal discharge), sneezing, or reverse sneezing (laryngospasm) in cats may be signs of diseases that may require professional attention.
Respiratory infections of cats are caused by numerous organisms. The most common are several different viruses and bacteriulike organisms that infect the tissue of the nasal cavity, respiratory passages and lungs, eyes and sometimes the mouth. These respiratory infections can range from mild to very severe illnesses. All are contagious from cat to cat, some more extremely so than others. They are often spread by licking and grooming between cats and sharing food and water dishes. Some are also spread by sneezing and coughing although this may occur only over short distances. They are probably the most frequently seen infectious diseases of cats. The important thing for you as a cat owner is not how to distinguish among the various respiratory infections (veterinarians often can't without refined laboratory tests), but how to prevent them, how to recognize that an infection is present, and how to determine when veterinary care is necessary.
The most common signs of feline respiratory disease complex are sneezing, fever, watery to sticky puslike discharges from the nose and eyes, lack of appetite, and listlessness. Sometimes drooling is seen, and in these instances raw areas (ulcers) can often be found on the tongue or hard palate. Some very mild infections are marked only by evidence of a mild eye irritation (conjunctivitis) accompanied by a small amount of watery eye discharge and no other signs. In severe cases the eyes can be swollen and crusted shut from discharges, the nasal passages clogged, the nose raw, and the cat most uncooperative with any efforts to give aid.
Whether a respiratory infection is mild, moderate, or severe is dependent upon many factors—among them, the age of the cat, his general health, the acquired resistance from previous exposure or vaccination, and the strain of the infective organism.
Respiratory infection in which the signs are mild—small amounts of watery eye and/or nose discharge and a few sneezes unaccompanied by fever—usually do not require veterinary care if the cat is eating normally and does not seem unduly depressed. Cases accompanied by any of the following signs should alert you to have your cat examined by a vet: persistent fever, lack of appetite, marked listlessness, dehydration, puslike eye or nose discharges, or cough (a sign that the infection may include the lower air passages or the pneumonia may be present). Prompt and intensive treatment is necessary to avoid undesirable aftereffects or respiratory infections.
Agents Causing respiratory Infections in Cats
| Disease |
Agent |
Signs |
Comments |
| Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR, "rhino") |
herpesvirus type 1 |
Sneezing, coughing, eye and nose discharge, fever, drooling, lack of appetite, termination of pregnancy (miscarriages) |
Usually severe infection of longer than 1 week's duration. Can be fatal. Infected newborn usually weaken and die. remains infective 1 to 2 days in the environment. Most recovered cats remain carriers. |
| Chlamydia psittaci infection (formerly feline pneumonitis) |
Chlamydia psittaci variety felis |
In juvenile and adult cats conjunctivitis, often unilateral, squinting, watery eye discharge; infrequently sneezing. In newborn ophthalmia neonatorum, fatal pneumonia. |
Usually mild infection acquired by intimate exposure. Signs may last 4 to 6 weeks. Responds to antibiotics. May occasionally cause human conjunctivitis. Recovered cats may become carriers. |
| Feline calicivurus (FCV, formerly feline influenza) |
calicivurus |
Most often transient fever and lameness lasting up to 4 days; tongue and mouth ulcers, drooling; eye and nose discharges. Symptoms vary; probably most severe in combination with other infections. |
More than 15 different virus strains; vaccines may not provide full protection against all strains. remains infective up to 10 days in the environment. Recovered cats may become carriers and may have severe chronic mouth disease. |