What are Mucus?
The respiratory system’s most important function is delivering oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide. However, at times, the mucus in a cat’s respiratory tract becomes too thick to allow a proper amount of oxygen to pass through the nose or mouth, causing the oxygen levels in the blood to become dangerously low. When oxygen levels become too low in the blood, veterinarians use the term anoxia or hypoxia to describe the condition. A cat in the state of hypoxia will begin showing symptoms of respiratory distress, increasing the rate of breathing to compensate for the mucus obstruction and low oxygen levels. The cat may soon fall seriously ill from the lack of oxygen in the bloodstream and develop conditions of respiratory disease.
Respiratory diseases are common in cats of all ages, but the very old and very young are at higher risk for contraction. Weak immune systems at the start of a kitten’s life and the inability to filter the respiratory system, makes this group of cats more vulnerable to contamination of disease organisms found in the air.
The respiratory system of the cat consists of the trachea, right and left bronchi, the bronchioles found within the lungs, and the alveoli. When the cat breathes in air through the nose or mouth, it passes through each part of the respiratory system, down into the lungs to exchange oxygen in the blood. The air a cat breathes is filled with large particles of dust, dirt, and pollen that can damage the respiratory system, so the respiratory system has a filtration system to protect itself. Mucus is the thick, clear material that lines the entire respiratory system. Airborne particles land on the mucus, or mucous lining, within the nasal passageways. The large particles caught by the mucosal lining are carried down to the throat where the cat either coughs them up or swallows them. Any swallowed particles caught in the mucus lining will be destroyed by the cat’s immune system.
Mucus Average Cost
From 434 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,800
Average Cost
$600
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Symptoms of Mucus in Cats
Mucus is clear in a healthy cat, but a cat with respiratory disease may have brown, reddish, green, or yellow mucus coming from the nose. The excessive mucus can stuff up the nasal passageway in one or both nostrils, making it difficult for the cat to breathe or smell. As the sense of smell is depleted, a cat may lose its appetite and refuse to eat, eventually losing weight. Mucus in cats may also cause other signs, including:
- Noisy breathing
- Painful breath
- Shallow breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Labored breathing
- Rapid breath
- Wet or dry cough
- Nasal discharge
The cat might increase the rate of breathing, may struggle to breathe in an attempt to restore its core oxygen levels.
Causes of Mucus in Cats
Mucus related respiratory disease in cats can be caused by inhalation of a toxic substance, allergens that cause an immune-mediated reaction, parasites, or a fungal, bacterial or viral infection. Cats that live in animal shelters, boarding facilities, and pet shops are at a greater risk of developing a mucus condition due to the fact that they are housed in close quarters with other cats. Likewise, if a cat lives in unsanitary conditions or in a tobacco smoke-filled home, the body will react by producing more mucus to filter the toxins. A full list of the causes of mucus in cats include:
- Birth abnormalities (cleft palate, narrowed nostrils or trachea)
- Trauma (such as hit-by-car)
- Stress
- Overcrowded boarding/shelter facilities
- Collapsed trachea
- Chronic nasal disease
- Nasopharyngeal polyps
- Tumors
- Smoke or airborne toxins
- Viral infections (calicivirus, Feline immunodeficiency virus, Rhinotracheitis virus)
- Bacterial infections (Bordetella, Chlamydophila felis)
- Fungal infections
- Parasite infections (lungworms, heartworms)
Diagnosis of Mucus in Cats
An overview of your cat’s medical history and a physical examination are the first steps in the diagnosis of mucus in cats. Your veterinarian may use a scope to view the airways, throat, and nose to determine if the mucus accumulation is a problem of the upper or lower respiratory system. Make sure to share signs you have noticed your cat displaying at home, such as coughing, wheezing or heavy breathing, as these signs can give the veterinarian clues to the condition at hand. Diagnostic tests that your veterinarian may receommend include:
- A nasal or mouth swab to identify a bacterial, viral or fungal infection.
- Blood tests to identify infection and organ function
- Blood gas analysis to determine carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the blood
- Pulse oximetry to determine pulse rate
- Chest x-rays to identify low respiratory conditions
- Echocardiograph to evaluate the state of the heart
- Biopsy of tissues to identify a tumor if present
Treatment of Mucus in Cats
If your cat is experiencing great breathing difficulties, the veterinarian may place her in an oxygenated chamber or place an oxygen mask. Your veterinarian may then administer or prescribe medications to thin and reduce the amount of mucus in the feline’s respiratory tract. If the veterinarian believes the cat can cough up the mucus, a cough medicine or expectorant, may be prescribed. However, if the feline’s airways are too narrow or obstructed for a productive cough, a bronchodilator, such as a steroid, may be prescribed. Antibiotics are prescribed to patients who have been diagnosed with a bacterial infection and diuretics are often given to patients who have accumulated fluid on the lungs.
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Recovery of Mucus in Cats
Recovery and management of mucus in cats depends on the underlying condition. You can aid your cat’s recovery by listening to your veterinarian and administering all medications as directed. In most cases, your cat should have access to fluids 24/7 and her area for recovery should be clean, including the air she breathes.
Mucus Average Cost
From 434 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,800
Average Cost
$600
Top
Mucus Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
domestic short hair
Momma Girl
14 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargic
She’s has a very loud rasping in her chest when she breaths out and is not moving around as much we moved into a new place after 14 years and it was very hot and we’ve given one round of antibiotics what should we do can’t take her back to the vet with no money
Aug. 7, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Without seeing Momma Girl, I have a hard time saying what might be going on with her, whether it is allergies, infection, or something else. Since you had her seen recently at a veterinarian, you may want to call them and let them know that she doesn't seem to be any better, and see if there is anything that they might recommend to help her. There may also be a low cost clinic in your area that would be able to help.
Aug. 7, 2018
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Calico
Nilly
14 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Runny Nose
My 14 year old female cat has always been a sneezer. We took her into the vet 6 days ago because the sneezing was really frequent and produced yellow mucus. She's not running a fever but is breathing out of her mouth and the mucus has turned green. She's lethargic and wants to be left alone. Is this the normal course of a cold or should I be worried? She did get a shot of antibiotics.
Aug. 3, 2018
0 Recommendations
Things may get worse before they improve, antibiotics may take a few days to fully kick in and an infection may progress a little before the antibiotics start winning (in the case of a bacterial infection), with viral infections we look at controlling any secondary bacterial infections. Keep an eye on Nilly but if there is no improvement over the weekend, she has difficulty breathing or anything else concerning return to your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 4, 2018
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I don’t know
Itty
2 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Runny Nose Sneezing
My cat is making a noise when she breathes and has green snot coming out of her nose. It’s goes off and on and I clean her face, she has also been sneezing. She is very young no older than two months. She is still very playful and alive and loving attention and she is eating well. I just brought her home two days ago, should I be worried or is it her allergies adjusting to a new setting ?
Aug. 3, 2018
0 Recommendations
Mucus from allergies is generally clear and non-viscous, if there is green mucus coming from the nose then there may be an upper respiratory tract infection; since Itty is very young you should visit a Veterinarian as soon as possible to examine Itty, confirm and treat. Infections are not uncommon in young kittens and should be addressed quickly. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 4, 2018
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Orange tabby
Precious
5 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Mucus Excretion Trouble Breathing
I have a kitten and she was perfectly fine the day before yesterday. I was on my way to work and I noticed that she had what looked like mud/dirt on nose and mouth. When I got home from work I went to check on her and she had an excessive amount of mucus running from her eyes, nose mouth and throat. Her face is swollen and she is having a hard time breathing. What can I do to help her? It's been 3 days and she is not really showing any improvement.
Aug. 2, 2018
0 Recommendations
If Precious is having trouble breathing you should visit your Veterinarian immediately, there are many possible causes for the production of mucus and the specific cause would need to be identified quickly due to breathing difficulties; an allergic reaction would be the top of my list (face swelling and mucus) but I cannot say for certain without an examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 2, 2018
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Tuxedo
Jasper
14 Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing
Stuffed Nose
Green Mucus When Sneezes
My cat has green mucus coming from his nose everytime he sneezes and he sneezes a lot. He’s very playful and acts, plays, eats, and drinks normally but I don’t know what’s wrong with him
July 31, 2018
0 Recommendations
It sounds like Jasper may have an upper respiratory tract infection, without examining him I cannot determine the severity or if there is any other underlying condition; since Jasper is so young you should visit a Veterinarian for an examination and treatment since over the counter medications are not suitable. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 31, 2018
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short hair
Chevy
4 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Eating, Sleeping A Lot
Not Eating/Drinking Sleeping A Lot
Not Eating/Drinking,Sleeping A Lot
Hi my cats name is Chevy. Today was like a normal day until this afternoon he came tubing out of my back bedroom into the living room shaking his head constantly so I went over to see what was wrong. Next thing I knew I seen this clear slime looking stuff coming out of his mouth that had a nasty odor. I called the vets and told them what was going on as I have 3 other cats who were all huddling around him(which is unusual) I took him to the vets they done a chest X-ray and said he looks fine but has some respiratory stuff going on but she said it’s nothing concerning. He did have a temperature(one degree higher then normal) she told me to keep an eye on him and call them and or come back if anything changes. She sent me home with pills to give him. Since I brought him home he’s been hiding under the bed in one spot. I tried giving him wet at food fresh water and cleaned the liter boxes. Before going to lay down I checked on him again and noticed he’s still having this slimy drool/mucus coming out of his mouth. I am very concerned. He’s only 4 years old. He’s my baby and I don’t want anything to be happing to him. What do you think I could do and or what do you think it could be? Thanks
Maine Coon mix
Sunny
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Snoring
Labored Breathing
Wheezing
At First I just noticed my cat was breathing harder and louder and she was snoring while awake. then i started to notice a whistle and then a sound that is hard to describe but it sounds like she is breathing through boogers. she is happy and acting normal eating fine loves her cuddles and play time. she gets her yearly vet visits and goes whenever she gets sick or is acting funny. overall the vet always says she is in great health and a very good cat.
Mucus Average Cost
From 434 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,800
Average Cost
$600
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
