Latest news with #Herpesvirus
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Cat owners warned that sneeze could be sign of 'kitty chlamydia' or herpes
If you're concerned about your cat's sneezing, read on to discover five reasons why cats sneeze and when you should be worried about it, according to pet health experts Hundreds of animal species are known to sneeze, including the likes of chickens, dogs, elephants and even pandas. However, if you've observed your feline friend sneezing more than usual, you might be pondering the cause. Could it be an allergy, a common cold in cats, or perhaps something more serious? While sneezing is a perfectly normal behaviour for cats, there are several reasons why they might have a tickly nose. Experts at Pet MD have compiled a list of potential ailments that could be causing your cat's sneezes. They also provide guidance on when sneezing should raise alarm bells and when it's time to consult a vet. According to their website, "If your cat's sneezing occasionally, it may just be part of the normal process to clear their nose and usually isn't concerning." They add: "However, if the sneezing is persistent or if other symptoms are present, it may indicate an underlying disease." But before you jump to conclusions about your cat's sneezing, bear in mind that it can be surprisingly tricky to distinguish between a cat sneezing, coughing, gagging, reverse sneezing, hiccupping, retching, or wheezing. Therefore, it might be necessary to seek a vet's expertise to determine whether your cat is indeed sneezing, reports the Daily Record. The specialists suggest recording your cat during a 'sneezing' bout to assist the vet in making an accurate diagnosis. Five health conditions that cause cats to sneeze 1. Viral Respiratory Infections Herpesvirus in cats is primarily known for causing upper respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing and discharge from both the nose and eyes, with stress often worsening these signs. Feline herpes operates in cycles, which means a cat might recover from respiratory issues and be well for a period before falling ill again under stressful conditions. It's advised to contact your vet if your cat exhibits these symptoms. 2. Bacterial infections According to Pet MD, "Bacterial infections almost always play a secondary role in upper respiratory symptoms in cats". They note that if you observe yellow or green mucus coming from your sneezing cat's nose or eyes, this unusually coloured discharge indicates a bacterial infection. Bordetella, mycoplasma, and chlamydia are typical culprits behind bacterial infections in a cat's nasal area, generally managed with antibiotic treatments. 3. Inflammation and irritation Sneezing in cats can also be triggered by inflammation, which is frequently a sign of various other health issues in felines. Treatments may involve oral steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate inflammation, and vets can further explore any additional health problems that might be causing your cat's discomfort. 4. Foreign material Experts have stated, "Inhaling a foreign material, such as blades of grass, can of course cause irritation in the nasal passages". "When these intruders are inhaled by a cat, the body's response is to sneeze to expel the foreign debris. While this approach might work for smaller particles like dust, larger objects are difficult for a cat to remove through sneezing." 5. Dental disease Dental disease is another unexpected condition that can lead to your cat sneezing. This is due to the fact that a cat's upper jaw teeth roots are situated right next to the nasal passages. Therefore, when teeth become infected or inflamed, the barrier between the tooth socket and the nose can be breached, triggering sneezing. Regardless, if you notice your cat has been sneezing excessively, it's advisable to consult a vet as it could signify a range of issues with your pet.
Daily Record
17-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
5 conditions that make your cat sneeze including kitty chlamydia and herpes
It may be cute when your cat does a little 'achoo', but is it ever cause for concern? Hundreds of animal species sneeze, including chickens, dogs, elephants, and pandas. But if you've noticed that your cat has been sneezing often, you may be wondering why. Are they allergic to something, do they have a kitty cold, or is something else wrong with them? Sneezing is a perfectly normal cat behaviour, but there could be a variety of reasons behind their sensitive nose. Luckily, experts at Pet MD share a list of possible conditions that could be making your cat feel sneezy. They also share when sneezing can become a concern, and when pet parents should speak to a vet. The pet health experts say on their website:"If your cat's sneezing occasionally, it may just be part of the normal process to clear their nose and usually isn't concerning. "However, if the sneezing is persistent or if other symptoms are present, it may indicate an underlying disease." But if you think your cat is sneezing, you may be incorrect, as it is strangely difficult to tell the difference between a cat sneezing, coughing, gagging, reverse sneezing, hiccupping, retching, or wheezing. So, you may need a vet to confirm whether or not your pet is actually sneezing, and the experts recommend taking a video of your cat during a 'sneezing' episode to help them confirm. Five health conditions that cause cats to sneeze 1. Viral Respiratory Infections Herpesvirus in cats causes primarily upper respiratory signs, including sneezing and discharge from the nose and eyes, and its symptoms can be exacerbated by stress. Feline herpes works in cycles, meaning your cat may recover from their respiratory signs and do well for some time, and then become ill again when a stressful situation occurs. Call your vet if your cat is showing these symptoms. 2. Bacterial infections "Bacterial infections almost always play a secondary role in upper respiratory symptoms in cats", says Pet MD. "If you see yellow or green snot emerging from your sneezing cat's nose or eyes, this abnormally coloured discharge is a sign of a bacterial infection." Bordetella, mycoplasma, and chlamydia are all common causes of bacterial infections in a cat's nose, and they are usually treated with antibiotics. 3. Inflammation and irritation Inflammation can cause a cat to sneeze, and it often comes as a symptom of many other health problems in your cat. Treatment may include oral steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) to help with inflammation, and your vet will be able to investigate any other health conditions which could be causing your cat's discomfort. material "Inhaling a foreign material, such as blades of grass, can of course cause irritation in the nasal passages", said the experts. "When these intruders are inhaled by a cat, the body's response is to sneeze to expel the foreign debris. While this approach might work for smaller particles like dust, larger objects are difficult for a cat to remove through sneezing." 5. Dental disease Dental disease is another surprising condition that can cause your cat to sneeze. This is because a cat's teeth roots on the upper jaw are located right next to the nasal passages, so when teeth become infected or inflamed, the barrier between the tooth socket and the nose can be penetrated, triggering sneezing. In any case, if you think your cat has been incessantly sneezing, seek advice from a vet as it could indicate a variety of problems in your pet. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
