Dealing with Cat's Yellow脓Nasal Discharge: Quick Tips
What Causes Cats to Have a Runny Nose?
1. Irritation from Strong Odors
Cats have a naturally sensitive nose, and they can easily develop a runny nose if exposed to strong odors that are irritating to them. If you notice your cat sneezing and having a runny nose without any apparent reason, it's important to inspect its environment for any potential irritants. This might include checking if the cat litter is too dusty, in which case you should switch to a dustfree alternative like pinebased litter. It's also advisable for pet owners to avoid using strongsmelling products like scented candles or perfumes at home. During cleaning, it's best to keep your cat away to prevent any respiratory irritation that could lead to sneezing and a runny nose.
2. Cold or Flu Symptoms
Cats can catch a cold or the flu, especially when the weather is cold, fluctuating, or if they haven't been dried off properly after a bath. A runny nose, along with symptoms like eye boogers, can be signs of a cold. To help your cat recover, ensure it stays warm by dressing it in a cozy sweater, placing a blanket in its comfortable bed, or moving it to a warmer room. If the symptoms persist, you may consider giving your cat overthecounter cold medicine like Geng His (Shuang Huang Lian Pian) to alleviate its discomfort.
3. Feline Herpes Virus (FHV)
If your cat's nose is discharging yellow or green mucus, along with symptoms like watery eyes and red, swollen eyes, it may be suffering from feline herpesvirus, which causes feline rhinitis. Treatment for FHV involves addressing the symptoms and supporting the cat's immune system. If the cat's temperature rises above 39.5 degrees Celsius, it may be feverish, and you should take it to a veterinarian for a feverreducing injection. After the fever subsides and without recurrence, you can give your cat FHV tablets, which contain lysine, choline, and vitamins to help suppress the virus and boost the cat's immunity. For eye discharge, eye drops can be used. Additionally, since the cat may be weakened, providing proper nutrition is crucial to enhance its resistance and speed up recovery.
Our Tip from Oxygen Pet Doctor: Treating feline rhinitis can be challenging, and your cat is doing its best to cope. Please show your cat patience and confidence during this time.