If you find your cat sneezing once in a while, there is nothing serious to be getting perturbed about, but if sneezing is no longer occasional, but something quite serious, then it is surely a matter of concern. When a cat sneezes, there is a sudden and forceful release of air through the mouth and nose. This is basically a body’s involuntary response when the nasal passages suffer from irritation. Many times, just excitement can lead to sneezing among cats.

If your cat is sneezing continuously and many other symptoms are also seen, it is best to take your feline friend to a reliable veterinarian without wasting time, lest the symptoms escalate any further.

Various causes of Sneezing

The cat may sneeze because of many reasons. The veterinarian will observe your cat and will check whether treatment is required. On the basis of the symptoms that the cat has been showing, the veterinarian will decide the need for the treatment. The major cause behind this problem is infection and this can be found out after taking a swab from the throat, mouth, nose or eyes. If the laboratory confirms the presence of infection after suitable tests, the doctor may prescribe treatment. Allergens and irritants that are inhaled are majorly responsible for sneezing in cats.

Bacterial, viral or fungal infections may also result in incessant sneezing. Many times, the cats are found to suffer from an infection in their upper respiratory tract. Just like human beings suffer from cold and cough, the young cats are also susceptible to common cold, particularly those who have been adopted from the animal shelters. Ensuring complete vaccination, right after adopting them from an animal shelter is the best way to safeguard them against several infections.

Some of the viral infections that are commonly found in the cat’s are-

Feline Calicivirus- Seen in many cats, this virus is highly contagious and spreads quickly. Cats suffering from this problem may suffer from mouth ulcers, but as it spreads further, it can also infect the respiratory tract. It can also cause pneumonia.

Feline Herpes Virus- When the cats get exposed to other cats infected with the herpes virus, it can spread like wild fire. A flare-up can also be caused due to stressful situations. The doctor treats the cats by controlling its symptoms.

There are many secondary bacterial infections from which a cat may suffer-

• Feline infectious peritonitis
• Feline leukemia
• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
• Bordetella
• Chlamydia (conjunctivitis)
• Mycoplasma

 Symptoms of Sneezing in Cats

Some symptoms to watch out for when your cat suffers from sneezing are-

• Spasmodic sneezing;
• Discharge from nose and eyes
• Excessive swallowing or coughing
• Appetite Loss
• Lethargy
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Raised third eyelid

 Treatment of Sneezing in Cats

The veterinarians usually provide supportive treatment when the cat suffers from infections causing sneezing.

They suggest the following-

• Fluids
• Force Feeding
• Appetite Stimulants
• Antibiotics
• Antiviral Eye drops
• L-Lysine daily administered
• Vaccination
• When suffering from dental abscess, dental treatment that may require tooth removal;
• When suffering from cancer, chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy;
• Regular visits to a veterinarian

This treatment helps your feline companions to feel comfortable and back to its normal self once again.