Cat keeps sneezing and runny nose? Don't panic! Understand the common causes and the difference from FIP (veterinary diagnosis is most important!)

Seeing your beloved cat constantly sneezing, with a runny nose and red eyes, as an owner you must be very worried. Is this a common "cat cold"? Or a more serious problem? Upper respiratory symptoms in cats are actually very common, and one of the most likely causes is **feline infectious rhinotracheitis**, also known as **feline herpesvirus (FHV-1)** infection. But many responsible owners have also heard of the worrying feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), and inevitably worry whether these symptoms could be **early symptoms of FIP**. This article will help you understand the **typical symptoms of feline infectious rhinotracheitis** and briefly explain the differences from some symptoms that may appear in FIP. **But please remember: absolutely nothing in this article can replace a professional veterinary diagnosis! The diagnosis of FIP is extremely complex, and any suspicion must be judged by an experienced veterinarian using a variety of examinations.** The final answer to the question "**What disease is cat sneezing?**" can only be given by your veterinarian.

The most common cause: Feline infectious rhinotracheitis (FHV-1 / feline herpesvirus)

This is one of the most common culprits causing "cold" symptoms in cats. It is caused by feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), is highly contagious, especially in multi-cat households or catteries. Like the human cold virus, it mainly attacks the upper respiratory tract of cats.

Common **feline herpesvirus symptoms** include:

  • Sneezing:This is a very typical symptom, which may be frequent, sometimes even violent sneezing.
  • Runny nose:At first it may be clear serous nasal discharge, if a bacterial infection occurs, the nasal discharge may become thick, yellow or green.
  • Eye symptoms (conjunctivitis):Red, swollen eyes, tearing (tears may also change from clear to purulent), the cat may squint or blink frequently. In severe cases, it may even cause corneal damage (keratitis, corneal ulcer).
  • Decreased appetite, lethargy:Because the nose is blocked and cannot smell the food, or general discomfort leads to not wanting to eat, it looks listless.
  • Fever:Some cats will have a high temperature.
  • Oral ulcers:Occasionally ulcers may also be seen on the oral mucosa.

About the characteristics of feline upper respiratory infection:In most immunocompetent adult cats after infection, the symptoms are usuallySelf-limiting, meaning that the body can clear the virus on its own (but the virus will remain latent in the body for life). However, the virus is not completely eliminated, it will remain latent in the cat's ganglia, when the catExperiences stress(such as environmental changes, the arrival of new pets, illness, etc.), the virus mayBe reactivated and recur. ForKittens, unvaccinated cats, elderly cats or cats with compromised immune systems, symptoms may beMore severe, and may even be life-threatening.

The worrying FIP: Symptoms may be vague and complex

FIP may present with someNon-specificearly symptoms (Please note: these symptoms can also be caused by many other diseases!):

  • Recurrent or persistent fever:Poor response to conventional antibiotic treatment.
  • Depression, anorexia, gradual weight loss:The cat is getting thinner and thinner, and more and more listless.
  • Jaundice:The skin, inner ears, oral mucosa or whites of the eyes may be yellow (but not all FIP cases will show this).
  • Eye abnormalities:Such as uveitis (inflammation inside the eye), hypopyon/hyphema (pus/blood in the anterior chamber), etc. (but may also be other eye diseases).
  • Neurological symptoms:Such as unsteady gait (ataxia), convulsions, abnormal behavior, etc. (usually a manifestation of dry FIP at a certain stage).
  • Gradual abdominal enlargement (wet FIP):This is due to the accumulation of a large amount of yellow, viscous fluid (ascites) in the abdominal cavity.
  • Dyspnea (wet FIP):If fluid accumulates in the chest cavity (pleural effusion), it will compress the lungs, causing shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Possible differences from rhinotracheitis (For informational purposes only, the final judgment rests with the veterinarian):

Although FIP may present with some seemingly mild symptoms in the early stages, it is usually aProgressive deteriorationof aSystemic disease, affecting multiple organ systems. Simple feline infectious rhinotracheitis is mainly limited to theUpper respiratory tract, although it may recur, it usually does not deteriorate continuously like FIP and lead to multiple organ failure. Veterinarians will use a series of tests to look for characteristic indicators of FIP, such as a significant decrease in the albumin to globulin ratio (A:G ratio) in blood tests, abnormally elevated globulin levels, elevated serum amyloid A (SAA), and ultrasound examination of abdominal lymph nodes, organ morphological changes, or collection and analysis of the characteristics of ascites/pleural fluid, etc.

Why must you see a veterinarian?

As pet owners, we all want our cats to be healthy. But when a cat is sick, relying on online searches or personal experience to judge the condition is very dangerous. Here's why you must take your cat to the vet:

  • Similar symptoms, very different causes:Cat sneezing, runny nose, eye discomfort, in addition to feline herpesvirus, may also be caused by feline calicivirus, mycoplasma, chlamydia, bacterial infection, fungal infection, allergies, nasal foreign bodies, or even tumors. Different etiologies require completely different treatment methods.
  • The extreme complexity of FIP diagnosis:As repeatedly emphasized earlier, the diagnosis of FIP requires professional medical knowledge and a series of complex examination methods, which are by no means something ordinary owners can judge.
  • Serious consequences of delayed treatment:Whether it is improper treatment of rhinotracheitis leading to severe secondary infection, or other more serious diseases (including FIP), once the best treatment time is delayed, it may lead to deterioration of the condition, increase the difficulty of treatment, or even endanger the cat's life.
  • Obtain correct and effective treatment:Only after professional diagnosis by a veterinarian can the true cause be determined, and the most appropriate and effective treatment plan can be developed for your beloved cat, such as whether antiviral drugs, antibiotics, antifungal drugs, anti-allergic drugs, or other supportive treatments (such as intravenous infusion, nutritional support, etc.) are needed.

How do veterinarians diagnose cat diseases? (Taking upper respiratory symptoms as an example)

When you take your cat to the vet, they will follow a scientific and rigorous process to find out what's wrong. Understanding this process will help you better cooperate with the veterinarian and understand the complexity of the diagnosis:

  1. Detailed medical history (interview):The veterinarian will carefully inquire about the cat's age, breed, vaccination status, living environment (indoor/outdoor), diet, when the symptoms started, how long they have lasted, the severity, whether it has been in contact with other sick cats, mental state, appetite, urination and defecation, etc. The more detailed the information you provide, the better.
  2. Comprehensive physical examination:The veterinarian will carefully examine the cat's eyes, nose, mouth (to see if there are ulcers), ears, auscultate the heart and breath sounds, measure the temperature, palpate the neck and jaw lymph nodes for swelling, and assess the cat's overall mental state and hydration status, etc.
  3. Necessary laboratory tests:Based on the initial judgment, the veterinarian may recommend some tests:
    • Pathogen detection:For example, collecting eye or nasal secretions for PCR testing to determine the presence of feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), chlamydia, mycoplasma, etc.
    • Cytology:Examine the smear of secretions to see if there are a large number of bacteria, inflammatory cells or abnormal cells.
    • Complete blood count (CBC):Assess the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to help determine the presence of infection, inflammation, anemia, etc.
    • Blood biochemistry:Assess the function of major organs such as the liver and kidneys, check blood glucose, protein (especially the albumin to globulin ratio A:G ratio), electrolytes, etc., which is very important for assessing overall health and screening for systemic diseases such as FIP.
    • Serum amyloid A (SAA) test:SAA is an important acute inflammatory marker in cats, which is usually significantly elevated in serious inflammatory diseases such as FIP.
  4. Imaging examination:If pneumonia, pleural effusion or abdominal problems (such as suspected wet FIP) are suspected, the veterinarian may recommend X-ray or ultrasound examination.
  5. Comprehensive analysis and diagnosis:Finally, the veterinarian will combine the detailed medical history, comprehensive physical examination, and all relevant laboratory and imaging examination results for comprehensive analysis to reach the most likely diagnostic conclusion and formulate a treatment plan accordingly.

Diagnostic tools that veterinarians may use

To help confirm the diagnosis, your veterinarian may use some rapid test strips or send samples to a laboratory for testing. Tashikin provides a range of veterinary diagnostic products designed to help veterinarians quickly and accurately identify the cause.Please note that these are tools for professional veterinarians, and the results need to be interpreted by the veterinarian in conjunction with the clinical situation.Here are some potentially relevant tests:

Tashikin Feline Herpesvirus Type 1 Antigen Test (FHV-1 Ag)

Helps veterinarians quickly detect whether a cat is shedding feline herpesvirus.

Tashikin Feline Calicivirus Antigen Test (FCV Ag)

Helps veterinarians quickly detect whether a cat is infected with feline calicivirus, another common virus that causes upper respiratory symptoms.

Tashikin Feline Rhinotracheitis/Calicivirus Combined Antigen Test (FCV FHV-1 Ag)

Can simultaneously detect feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus, providing veterinarians with more comprehensive information.

Tashikin Feline Serum Amyloid A Test (F. SAA)

SAA is an important inflammatory marker in cats. Veterinarians may use it to assess the degree of inflammation, help judge the severity of the disease or monitor the treatment response. (Note: Elevated SAA can be seen in various inflammations, not specific to FIP).

Tashikin Feline Coronavirus Antigen Test (FCOV Ag)

Used to detect the presence of feline coronavirus in cat feces. A positive result indicates that the cat is shedding coronavirus, but thisDoes not equalthe cat has FIP. (Note: Healthy cats may also carry and shed coronavirus).

To learn more about Tashikin's diagnostic products for veterinarians, please visit ourProduct Center.

Discover cat discomfort, act immediately!

As a responsible pet owner, when you find your cat exhibiting any worrying symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, eye abnormalities, coughing, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, lethargy, unexplained fever, or weight loss, please do not hesitate, and do not try to self-medicate or wait and see.The safest and most correct approach is:Contact your trusted veterinarian immediately, or take it to a professional animal hospital for examination as soon as possible.Getting timely professional diagnosis and treatment is the best guarantee of health and happiness for your beloved cat. Tashikin always cares about animal health, and we hope that every pet can receive timely and effective care.

Find a nearby veterinary clinic Read more cat health knowledge