Rhinitis & Sinusitus Infections

My usually wakeup call either by a paw or a claw on my nose was a little different one morning when I was woken by a very watery sneeze. Over the next two days the odd sneeze but a lot of coughing plaged my wee girl and by day three she was very snotty nosed, no dischage though) and having a little difficulty breathing. So... Off to the Vet we went... My first thoughts was sinus, as I am also plagued with it, or hay fever allergy, crossed my mind. After checking for asthma and a blood test was done, we were sent home with a collection of antihistamines, mucus loosener, and nasal sprays.. (try getting that up your cat’s nose)... I came to the conclusion after a week and a second trip to the Vet, with a cat who was having a lot of difficulty breathing, that we should try antibiotics... sinus nasal infection, yep so I asked for Dozine (Doxycycline) as a first try. And... Thank God, after three days she was all clear and breathing normally. I understand this may be an ongoing problem but I hope we are ready and armed for future attacks.

Inflammation of a cat's nose is referred to as rhinitis; sinusitis which refers to the inflammation in the nasal passages. Both medical conditions can cause mucus discharge to develop. With prolonged inflammation, bacterial infections are common. Viral rhinitis is especially prevalent in kittens.

WHAT IS NOSE AND SINUS INFLAMMATION?

Inflammation of the nose and sinus is a common and sometimes serious problem in cats. It can be a primary condition acute in nature, but more often it is a result of a systemic disorder such as infection.

Occasionally, it can be idiopathic, meaning its source is unknown and makes treatment more difficult. Chronic rhinosinusitis may persist over the life of your cat. It can be a challenge to manage and there is no cure.

However, nose and sinus inflammation is rarely life-threatening to cats and is often easily treated with antibiotics unless there is a serious and chronic underlying condition associated with it. In such cases, treatment will include addressing the symptoms and causes of the identified disorder. When the lining of the mucous membranes of the nose is inflamed, the condition is called rhinitis. Inflammation of the lining of the sinuses is termed sinusitis.

The two conditions often occur together, creating rhinosinusitis, but not always. Left untreated, the condition can inhibit the function of the mucous membranes of the nasal passages leaving the lungs to handle the filtering of dust and microorganisms, which often leads to an upper respiratory infection.

SYMPTOMS OF NOSE AND SINUS INFLAMMATION IN CATS

A runny nose and sneezing may be your first signs of rhinosinusitis in your cat.

Nasal discharge Sneezing, frequently episodic Stuffy nose.

Bleeding from the nose Dehydration Respiratory noise while inhaling Discharge and tears from the eyes Conjunctivitis Labored breathing, possibly with open mouth breathing Coughing Vomiting Loss of appetite

Nose and Sinus Inflammation in Cats are often caused by bacterial infections often occur after the initial onset of a viral infection.

Other possible causes are: Fungal infection, especially Cryptococcosis Parasites Presence of a foreign object Blocked nasolacrimal duct in the nose Indoor and outdoor allergies

Dental disease is another trigger for Nose and Sinus Inflammation . A basic physical examination will first be conducted, which will include your cat’s nose and nasal cavity, eyes, mouth, and ears. Your veterinarian will be looking for evidence not only of swelling, but also of polyps, dental disease, and infection.

If clinical signs indicate anything more serious, additional testing will be needed to identify the underlying cause. A complete blood count, urinalysis, and serum biochemistry will be performed to test for viral, fungal, and bacterial infections.

TREATMENT OF NOSE AND SINUS INFLAMMATION

Although there is no cure for rhinitis and sinusitis, topical and systemic antibiotics along with antihistamine and antiinflammatory medications help to reduce the symptoms in mild to acute cases. The length of treatment is dependent on your cat’s response.

Chronic conditions may be treated symptomatically. If the condition has severely progressed, intravenous fluids may be necessary to prevent dehydration and nutritional support given through a feeding tube to stop or prevent weight loss. Treatment will then be more directly addressed toward the underlying cause.

Usually, rhinitis and sinusitis are treated only with medication since removal of the inflamed areas, polyps, or any other masses are rarely necessary or permanently successful.

Your veterinarian may discuss surgical options with you if your cat is not responding to antibiotic therapy, however. Radiation therapy may also be an option, depending on the underlying cause of the inflammation.

It is not a preventative treatment and is only meant to lessen your cat’s symptoms.

Rhinosinusitis caused by a fungus can be treated with antifungal therapy once the particular source has been identified.

Note that chronic rhinosinusitis along with fungal infection may require a longer course of treatment, possibly 4-6 weeks or more.

Acupuncture therapy has been shown to relieve rhinitis and sinusitis for some cats

Read more at: https://wagwalking.com/cat/ condition/nose-and-sinus-inflammation