Cat Nasal Discharge: Possible Diseases and Symptoms

01. The Cat's Nose: More Than Just a Reflection of the Environment

The cat's nose is more than just a sensor of the current temperature and humidity. A healthy cat's nose can be warm, cold, dry, or moist – all of these are perfectly normal.

You might have heard that a healthy cat's nose should always be moist and cool. However, the truth is that many cats will have a moistened nose after just a short nap.

The presence and duration of nasal discharge are crucial for determining the cause of illness and aiding in the recovery of the cat's health.

02. The Anatomy of the Cat's Nose

Most diseases occurring in the nose can cause irritation and inflammation to the turbinates (bony structures with a frilly edge). These bones are prone to distortion and damage. Once damaged, bacteria that normally reside in the nose can rapidly multiply, leading to secondary bacterial infections.

Diseases that affect the nose are known as rhinitis. The frontal sinuses are cavities in the skull located above the eyes. They connect to the nasal cavity through small tubes. Many diseases that occur in the nasal cavity have the ability to travel through these tubes into the frontal sinuses. When the sinuses become inflamed, this condition is called sinusitis.

In simple terms: inflammation of the nose is rhinitis; inflammation of the sinuses is sinusitis.

03. Not All Nasal Discharges Are the Same

If your cat occasionally has a slight runny nose, you might not even notice, as the cat may have already licked it away. It's usually only when the cat has more severe discharge that it catches your attention.

If you notice excessive nasal discharge in your cat, there are several things to consider that can help your veterinarian diagnose the issue:

1. Is the discharge coming from one nostril or both?

2. Is it a recent occurrence or has it been going on for some time?

3. Is it continuous or intermittent?

4. What color is the discharge: clear, yellow, green, or bloody?

5. Is it thick or thin?

6. At what age did the cat first have discharge?

7. Does the cat have an upper respiratory infection, especially in kittens?

8. Has the cat's face been injured?

9. Has the cat had dental issues?

10. Does the cat have an ear infection?

11. Is the discharge consistent in type, thickness, and color, and from one nostril or both?

12. Has the condition worsened?

13. Are other cats in the household also sick?

14. Has the cat responded to previous treatments?

04. Types of Nasal Discharge

Based on color and consistency, there are three main types of nasal discharge:

Serosal: Thin and clear, resembling water.

Purulent: Thick, yellow or green, resembling pus.

Bloody: Bloody or hemorrhagic.

Any combination of the above three types.

05. Serosal Discharge

Serosal discharge is the most benign type of nasal secretion. It is watery and clear in color.

Causes of serous nasal discharge may include:

1. Upper respiratory viruses, such as rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, chlamydia, and feline herpesvirus.

2. Allergies

3. Nasal parasites

4. Oralnasal fistula: a result of dental root infection.

06. Purulent Discharge

When discharge changes from serous to purulent, you'll notice it becomes thicker and turns yellow or green. This indicates that bacteria are beginning to settle in the nasal cavity. Most often, these bacteria are secondary invaders.

Even if the primary culprit is a virus, it can damage the cells that move mucus through the nasal cavity. We all know that mucus is rich in antibodies IgA, which is our first line of defense against bacteria. This is why, even though we know antibiotics cannot kill viruses, we still prescribe them for cats with viral infections.

07. Bloody Discharge

The last type of discharge is hemorrhagic or bloody. The most common causes are factors outside the nose.

1. Trauma

2. Excessive sneezing

3. Tumors

4. Vitamin K deficiency

5. Warfarin (anticoagulant) poisoning

6. Liver failure

7. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

8. Bartonella henselae

There are also immunemediated thrombocytopenias, which usually have no identifiable cause (idiopathic). In these diseases, the body's immune system targets platelets for destruction.

08. Symptoms of Runny Nose

The main symptoms of a runny nose are, of course, a runny nose, sneezing, and difficulty breathing.

The exact nature of the discharge, whether both sides of the nose are affected, and the presence of other clinical symptoms depend on the specific nature of the disease process occurring in the nose and any other diseases the cat may have.

09. Further Testing

Further diagnostic tests that can be performed to determine the cause of nasal discharge include:

Complete blood count including feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus testing: Blood tests will look for signs of underlying disease processes, such as systemic infection or lymphoma.

Skull/nasal Xrays: Skull, nasal, and dental Xrays can identify certain foreign bodies (metal or bone), changes in bone density may indicate infection or tumor, and changes in normal anatomical structures can help identify tumor processes.

Cytology: Discharge can be examined under a microscope to determine if there are bacteria or fungi present.

Culture and sensitivity: Swabs can be cultured to help determine appropriate antibiotic or antifungal treatment.

Endoscopy if necessary: If a tumor is suspected, an endoscope can reach abnormal areas to collect tissue samples.

10. Making Your Cat More Comfortable

To increase your cat's comfort, regularly clean your cat's face, nose, and eyes with cotton balls and water. Increasing the water content in nasal discharge can make all the material in the nasal cavity easier to expel. A home nebulizer is inexpensive and easy to purchase online. Placing your cat in the bathroom during a shower may also be helpful, but be careful not to get your cat wet.

You can also warm up your cat's food to help it smell the flavors and stimulate its appetite.

11. Conclusion

While a runny nose may be common, we cannot ignore this issue. A slight runny nose may go unnoticed because your cat may have already licked it clean. If you notice a runny nose, the problem is likely more serious than you might think.