If your cat is coughing and sneezing or has watery eyes or is expelling serous or opaque discharge from the nose, you are most likely to equate it with common colds that humans normally suffer from.
Although cat colds too are self limiting in nature, cats do not suffer colds the way humans do. Cat colds normally turn out to be one of the feline respiratory diseases and these seemingly harmless symptoms may progress into something serious.
The most common agents that infect cat respiratory tract are feline rhinotracheitis virus (herpes virus) and feline calicivirus. The herpes virus produces more severe symptoms and also tends to recur frequently. In both cases the infection runs it own course and the cat recovers within a couple of weeks. This, however, is no reason for complacency.
Frequent infections are liable to damage to the mucus secreting membrane of the nasal passage and lead to secondary infection of the spongy nasal bones and bone marrow. This is a chronic condition known as post-viral rhinitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose usually associated with nasal discharge).
* Allergic rhinitis is another condition that produces cold-like symptoms in cats. It is mostly caused by environmental dust, certain aerosol sprays and secondary cigarette smoke.
* Various types of polyps may be another reason why your cat is having breathing problems and is coughing or sneezing. Polyps may originate within the nasal chambers or in the middle of the ear and mostly associated with inability to swallow, gagging and pain in the ear.
* Many times it is a dental problem that has not been attended to that leads to nasal discharge and sinusitis that too manifests as cold-like symptoms.
* Frequent manifestation of symptoms of cold may also indicate congenital defects that lead to chronic respiratory disease.
* Foreign bodies in the nasopharynx usually lead to secondary fungal rhinitis due to the fungal spores associated with plants.
* However rare, cats with chronic rhinitis and are known to develop nasal polyps and nasal tumors.
Indoor cats are hardly likely to contact infections and it is better to get your cat vaccinated before you plan to take your cat to crowded places or shows. Vaccinations only help to reduce the symptoms and not a hundred percent guarantee against viral infections.
All said and done, ignoring cat colds can be dangerous at times. It is advisable to get these apparently harmless cold-like symptoms evaluated by a specialist. If nothing serious is detected, medication for feline upper respiratory infection treatment may be prescribed to reduce the risk of secondary infection because there are no drugs that work against viruses.
Once a clean bill of health is given by the veterinarian, these cold-like symptoms can be managed at home with supportive home care and feline upper respiratory herbal treatment.
Reference:
http://www.feline...links/gunn-moore.htm
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