Skip to content

Respiratorias

Feline chronic sinusitis and rhinitis

Chronic inflammation of a cat's nose and sinuses, often a sequela of a poorly treated cat flu or of repeated infections. It is difficult to resolve completely.

Moderate🐈 Cats

Symptoms to watch for

  • • Chronic sneezing
  • • Persistent nasal discharge (clear or purulent)
  • • Noisy breathing through the nose
  • • Crusting around the nostrils
  • • In advanced cases the cat breathes through its mouth

Causes

Chronic damage to the nasal lining, often following a herpesvirus or calicivirus infection. Bacteria take advantage of the damaged tissue.

Diagnosis

Examination, and sometimes rhinoscopy or imaging to assess the damage and rule out other causes.

Treatment

It is managed rather than cured: nasal flushes, antibiotics during flare-ups, anti-inflammatories, and a humid environment. Improving quality of life is the goal.

Prevention

Vaccination, and treating cat flu properly so that it does not become chronic.

When should you see the vet?

See your vet if your cat has had sneezing and nasal discharge for weeks that will not clear up.

Consult a vet

WetAi guides you and takes you to the vet; it does not diagnose.

Notice: this information is for general guidance and educational purposes only. It does NOT replace diagnosis or treatment by a registered veterinary surgeon. If you notice any symptoms, always consult a professional. Wallapets accepts no responsibility for the use of this information without veterinary supervision.

Wallapets Sign in