What is Runny Nose?
If your cat has a runny nose, you may be wondering if you should bring him into a vet. Some causes of runny noses are minor and do not require treatment, however, others are serious and require immediate medical attention. It’s always recommended to visit a vet if your cat is experiencing a runny nose.
Just like humans, cats can suffer from a runny nose, or nasal discharge. A runny nose is common in cats and fairly easy to spot. It may occur in one or both of your cat’s nostrils, and the discharge may be clear or have color, depending on the underlying cause.
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Symptoms of Runny Nose in Cats
A runny nose is characterized by nasal discharge. Cat owners may notice a watery or thick discharge that is clear and colorless. However, nasal discharge may also have streaks of blood or pus, giving it a slightly red, yellow, or green color. Symptoms that may accompany a runny nose include:
- Sneezing
- Eye discharge
- Stuffy nose
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Causes of Runny Nose in Cats
There are a number of different health conditions that could cause a runny nose in your cat. Some of them are minor issues, while others will need emergency medical attention from a veterinarian. Causes of a runny nose include:
- Allergies
- Upper respiratory infections
- Bacterial or fungal infection in the nasal cavity
- Tumors in the nasal cavity
- Foreign objects in the nasal cavity
- Head trauma
- Pneumonia
- Nasal polyps
Diagnosis of Runny Nose in Cats
A vet will be able to determine your cat has a runny nose by simply observing him. However, you should still inform your vet of any other symptoms you have noticed, aside from the runny nose, so he can diagnose the underlying condition. If the discharge is clear, your vet may identify the cause as allergies without doing any further testing. However, if there is blood or pus in the discharge, further testing may be required.
A complete blood count and biochemistry profile may be performed in order to see if there are any abnormalities. For example, an elevated white blood cell count may signal that an infection is causing the nasal discharge. The vet may also swab the inside of the nasal cavity to test the discharge for bacteria and fungus. If the vet believes there is another cause for the discharge, he may perform either a CT scan or an endoscopy to look for tumors, foreign objects, or polyps.
Treatment of Runny Nose in Cats
Treatment will vary depending on what is causing the runny nose. If a foreign object is lodged into your cat’s nasal cavity or polyps are present, the vet may need to perform emergency surgery to safely remove the object or polyps.
A vet will prescribe medication to treat runny noses caused by fungal or bacterial infections. It’s the cat owner’s responsibility to orally administer this medication at home and bring the cat in for a follow-up visit to ensure the infection has healed. Medication can include antifungals, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories if the nasal lining is irritated.
Upper respiratory infections are often caused by viruses, and there are no medications to specifically treat these. However, cats are often prescribed antibiotics for these infections to treat secondary bacterial infections. Cat owners may be told to make sure the cat is drinking plenty of fluids while he recovers. Keeping the eyes and nose free of discharge while the cat recovers from cat flu is also important.
One of the common causes of a runny nose in cats is exposure to allergens. If the vet thinks this is what is causing your cat’s runny nose, testing may be suggested. This will help you figure out what your cat is allergic to so you can reduce or eliminate the cat’s exposure to the allergen.
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Recovery of Runny Nose in Cats
The time your cat takes to recover from a runny nose will depend on what is causing it. If a fungal or bacterial infection is the cause, your cat should recover after a being treated with antibiotics or antifungal medication.
Cats usually fully recover from upper respiratory infections, however, kittens and older cats with other health conditions may experience complications in their recovery. Even after they heal, cats remain carriers, meaning they may suffer from the condition again at some point in their lives.
Recovery from allergy-related runny noses is usually fairly quick if you prevent the cat’s exposure to the allergen. However, some allergies are seasonal and reactions are caused by exposure to pollen or other environmental elements. If this is the case, although you cannot prevent exposure, you can talk to your vet about treating the reactions with antihistamines as needed.
If your cat required surgery to remove a foreign object or polyps, he may need up to a week to physically recover. Your vet will most likely need to reexamine him after the surgery to ensure everything is healing properly.
The health problems that cause a runny nose can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your cat is at risk of a runny nose, start searching for pet insurance today. Wag!’s pet insurance comparison tool lets you compare plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
Runny Nose Average Cost
From 461 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,000
Average Cost
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Top
Runny Nose Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
mixed
Vincent
7 Years
0 found this helpful
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Runny Nose
Irritable
Runny Eyes
My cat is 7 years old and an indoor cat. He has come down with a runny nose and slightly runny eyes and has lost a lot of weight thats harder to notice because hes very thick furred. He's also become very irritable towards our 20 week old kitten (who to be fair, is very energetic). When we first got the kitten at 7 weeks, he was friendly and played with him, but now hes very reserved and more quiet than usual. He seems to have gone off his food too unless we give him kitten food (which he eats a little more of then his adult food or even the fresher food with chicken in it that he use to love). He has been drinking more than usual I believe and sometimes just preferences his dry food to wet food.
He did have kidney stones when he was a year old, but that was fixed with surgery. He is also fixed.
Dec. 15, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are a few different possible causes for the symptoms which are presenting including upper respiratory tract infection (calicivirus among others), hormonal condition (thyroid, diabetes), liver disease, kidney disease among other causes. You should have Vincent checked by your Veterinarian given his age to be on the safe side, I cannot really recommend anything other than encourage eating and ensure that he stays hydrated. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 15, 2017
I would run to the vet. Our kitty was similar and it turned out to be pancreatitis this is very serious and so far kitty is getting better but it is not a simple thing to cure
March 16, 2018
Lorry
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Taby
peanut, tsunade, Itachi, and mahedabelle
1 Year
0 found this helpful
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing
Watery Eyes
Running Nose
I have 4 cats I have recently taken in. One was a mother of two and then another a few weeks later. The mother just came down with a cold or something but has passed it to the others. Her babies are sneezing and watery eyes like the mother did, however the other cat has mucus dripping from her nose and watery eyes. She seems to be having a harder time with it. Now the mother cat seems better. What could this be
Dec. 15, 2017
0 Recommendations
It sounds like an upper respiratory tract infection, if the cause is viral treatment would be supportive but may require antibiotics if there is a secondary infection; without examining them I cannot say for sure what the underlying cause is but your should visit your Veterinarian or a charity clinic just to get them checked out. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 15, 2017
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Calico
Sophie
6
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Mucus
My cat has a light green discharge coming from her nose. She can barely breathe through her nose. She also has mucus coming from the side of her mouth constantly. When she tries to eat she leaves mucus in her food bowl. It's draining from her mouth more than anything. I gave her a allergy tablet and an Allegra four hours later. What else can I do to help her? I don't have any money to take her to the vet at moment so that's unfortunately not an option. Please help. I love her so much!!!
Nov. 30, 2017
0 Recommendations
A greenish discharge would suggest an infection, nasal mites, foreign objects, polyps etc…; I understand that money can be tight but if there is an infection there is nothing effectively at home you can give to treat. If money is tight, search for charity clinics in your area which may be able to assist you in return for a donation. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 30, 2017
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Unknown
Shadow
Approx. 1 and a half years
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Drooling
Running Nose
Less Vocal
Yesterday, Shadow was less vocal and was drooling a fair amount. This morning she seemed fine and was not drooling. Today when I got home from work, Shadow is again less vocal and has a slow runny nose. She has still been eating and drinking, and still follows me and purrs, overall acting mostly normal. She is slightly more lethargic, but not by a lot. Both the drool yesterday and the nasal discharge today have been clear and odorless.
Nov. 27, 2017
0 Recommendations
Drooling and nasal discharge may be caused by a few different issues which may include infection, dental issues, allergies, chemical irritants among other issues; keep an eye on Shadow and make sure that there is nothing which could be affecting her which she could have licked like a plant or cleaning product. If the problem continues, visit your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 28, 2017
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Runny Nose Average Cost
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Average Cost
$500
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