Cat Health: Sneezing
Like humans, it is not uncommon for your cat to sneeze from time to time. You may wonder if this is cause for concern. Is this a symptom of a serious health issue? It all depends. In regards to cat health, sneezing is not always the sign of a health issue. There are many factors to look at and consider when your cat is sneezing.
One of the things to consider is the frequency of your cat's sneezing. If it happens once in awhile it may just be due to something temporarily irritating your cat's nasal passages. Your cat explores its environment by using its nose and may periodically inhale something that is irritating, resulting in sneezing. So periodic sneezing is not usually an indicator of something serious. If it is excessive, then it may be due to something more serious and should probably be evaluated by your veterinarian.
Another thing to consider is the simultaneous presence of any other symptoms, such as excessive mucus, discharge in the eyes, coughing, or swelling of the eyes or glands. These symptoms may be due to an upper respiratory infection. An upper respiratory infection is a common cause of cat sneezing. This is usually caused by a virus and in that case is very contagious. The symptoms will often start after your cat has been in contact with an infected animal.
Upper respiratory infections can also be caused by bacteria. Two common bacteria which can cause this type of infection are Adeno-2 and Bordatella.
Another cause of cat sneezing is the presence of an obstruction in the nasal passage. The cat is sneezing in an attempt to dislodge it. Again, your cat uses his nose to investigate his surroundings, and he may inadvertently inhale something that causes him to sneeze.
There are a variety of things which may irritate the lining of your cat's nasal passage and cause sneezing. Some of these include perfumes, mold, pest sprays, cigarette smoke, certain types of cat litter, and cleaning agents. If you use a cat litter that has a lot of tiny dust particles, you may notice your cat sneezing shortly after or during his use of the litter box.
Just like in humans, your cat's sneezing may also be due to allergies. Many allergens which affect humans also affect cats. If you are able to determine the particular allergen then you may be able to solve the problem by simply eliminating it. The best way to do this is to pay attention to what potential culprits are always present when your cat is sneezing. However, sometimes determining the allergen is not always easy to do.
An underlying dental problem may also lead to cat sneezing. An infection from an abscessed tooth can affect the nasal passage and result in sneezing. Check for any redness or swelling of the gums, as well as tooth pain. Your cat may be having a difficult time chewing hard food in this case. The best way to prevent this is to make sure your cat has regular dental cleanings by your veterinarian.
With regards to cat health, sneezing may also be caused by two other health issues. These are both common causes. The first is feline herpes, and sneezing may be present when there is a flare-up. The second is feline leukemia, which is a serious cat health issue. In feline leukemia, the cat's immune system is weakened, so it is more prone to asthma and sinus infections. Both of these ailments are caused by viruses, and typically cats are immunized against them when they are young. Neither is curable, but antibiotics can treat the secondary symptoms. Again, preventive health care is the best way to prevent these.