Cats, like humans, are susceptible to various diseases. And in order not to miss the latter and help the pet in time, the owner must be attentive to the symptoms. One of the manifestations of various pathologies is sneezing. Of course, if these are single cases, you should not worry, but if such manifestations are observed for a long time with enviable constancy, it is worth understanding the reasons. Why do kittens sneeze often? The answer to this question is further.
Concept and reasons
Sneezing is an unconditioned reflex of higher animals (and humans), thanks to which the upper respiratory tract is freed from dust, mucus and other irritating objects through the nasopharynx after inhalation.
Why do kittens sneeze often? Most often, the causes of this symptom in four-legged friends are the same as in humans. The mucous membrane undergoes irritation, or the whole thing is a banal allergy. Typically, such a reflex reaction occurs infrequently, which is quite normal. If the kitten sneezes often, the owner of the animal needs to find out the reasons in order to eliminate the irritant and help the pet.
Consider some of the reasons why a tetrapod can be tormented by a constantly repeating sneeze:
- Defeat by viruses or bacteria.
- Fungal diseases (mycoses).
- Foreign objects got into the nose.
- The kitten caught a cold.
- They often smoke indoors.
- Smells of household chemicals.
- Allergic reaction.
- Polyps of the nasal cavity.
- Injuries to the nose.
- Inhalation of perfume or aerosol vapors.
- Parasitic infections.
- Pollen of plants, dust.
- The individual structure of the nose.
- Ticks
- Tumors in the nose.
- Pathology of the teeth or gums.
- Belonging to some breeds.
The exact reason will help determine the veterinarian. Appeal to him in such a situation is necessary. Next will be considered the most common situations.
Common viruses
Often there is a cat herpes virus, and it can be the answer to the question why kittens sneeze often. Herpes is transmitted from other animals. Kittens, like children, do not yet have a stable immunity formed. In addition, any stress can trigger an outbreak. Herpes, affecting cats, is not dangerous for people. But the doctor should prescribe the treatment for the pathology to the pet.
Calcivirosis. Also a fairly common virus in cats. Its defeat is noted in mouth ulcers, profuse lacrimation, exposure to the respiratory tract, which can cause pneumonia.
Other viral pathologies
There are other viruses that kittens are susceptible to. These include:
- Coronavirus causing infectious peritonitis. A very dangerous disease leading to the death of an animal in 90% of cases. For people, the infection is not dangerous. Most often kittens or, on the contrary, individuals of advanced age get sick. With pathology, the respiratory system is also affected, in connection with which frequent sneezing can be observed.
- Feline immunodeficiency. The disease is hidden, but is incurable. The virus attacks lymphocytes and leads to their death. There are no obvious signs indicating the disease. In cats, the oral cavity and the respiratory tract are often affected. Rhinitis is often accompanied by sneezing.
- Leukemia virus. It causes leukemia and affects all systems and organs of the animal. It is dangerous because it can occur in latent form for years and become active only with a decrease in immunity.
Bacteria
In addition to viruses, cats are also affected by bacterial agents. Among them:
- Chlamydia The causative agent of the disease is a cross between a virus and a bacterium. For this reason, the fight against him is not always easy. Infection occurs by airborne droplets or sexually. Young animals are most susceptible to chlamydia. In case of damage, the kitten often sneezes and his eyes watery. The disease can also be transmitted to humans.
- Bordetellosis. The bacterium infects animals and humans. It causes inflammation of the airways, up to pneumonia. With a disease, snot comes out of the nose and the kitten often sneezes.
It should be noted that often animals with weakened immune systems that have caught the virus can also become infected with a secondary bacterial infection. Therefore, the doctor, in addition to antiviral agents, will prescribe antibiotics.
Allergy
Often the answer to the question why kittens sneeze often is a common allergy. In addition, the cat may experience symptoms such as mucus from the nose, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes).
If the veterinarian diagnosed an allergic reaction in the pet, the owner should exclude the effect of the allergen on the cat, since drug treatment provides only temporary relief.
However, it is often difficult to find an allergen, and pet owners, in an effort to help a pet, change food, toilet filler, get rid of dust in the apartment, and put an air purifier. It is clear that all these actions are not always accompanied by success. In such a situation, qualified veterinary care is indispensable.
It should also be understood that often allergies are caused by tobacco smoke, household chemicals., Perfumes and aerosols. And in spring and summer, at the time of flowering, plant pollen can act as an irritant. All these factors must be considered if the kitten sneezes frequently.
Polyps
This is another answer to the question why a kitten sneezes frequently. The causes of polyps are previous inflammation, but a congenital predisposition is also possible. Their education is not uncommon in cats. Polyps are not considered a tumor, but nevertheless require close attention to themselves.
They are most often diagnosed in kittens. In addition to sneezing, pets are concerned about breathing difficulties, nasal discharge, difficulty in eating, and inflammation of the auditory tract.
The doctor will be able to choose the appropriate treatment for polyps. Among them:
- surgical intervention;
- manual method.
More often the operation is used, however, the appropriateness of its operation should also be determined by a qualified veterinarian.
Parasites
In cats, helminths are found that live in the airways, respectively, they can cause sneezing. These parasites include:
- Eucoleus aerophila - from the intestines with blood, the larvae of this worm move to the respiratory system, where they lead their further existence.
- Aelurostrongylus abstrusus - the larvae of these parasites feel great in the lungs of a cat, often without manifesting themselves, causing only bronchitis and pneumonia in the animal.
- Toxocara cati is a parasite that accidentally appears in a cat’s airway, but it also causes various diseases, which are often manifested by sneezing.
Breed feature
Some types of cats are initially prone to problems with the nasopharynx. These include rocks having a flattened muzzle shape. For example, Persians, Exotics, British, Himalayan, Scottish folds. In these types of cats, the anatomy of the muzzle is altered, and immunity is often reduced due to artificial excretion. And if your kitten sneezes very often, think about it, maybe he is a representative of one of these breeds?
How to help the animal?
First of all, with frequent sneezing, giving the cat a lot of suffering, the owner should take the pet to the veterinarian. The doctor will be able to collect an anamnesis, establish a diagnosis and find the cause of the pathology. Analyzes will help to understand what the cat is sick with.
Depending on this, treatment with antiviral drugs, antibiotics, antihistamines, antifungal drugs will be prescribed. Some diseases require hospitalization (for example, the presence of polyps) and subsequent recovery. During this period, the owner of the cat requires a lot of patience, attention and care in relation to the pet.
Preventive actions
Sneezing helps the kitten get rid of irritants that have fallen into the nasal cavity. As already mentioned, the phenomenon itself does not cause problems for the animal or its owner. However, obsessive sneezing causes considerable concern to the owners of the cat.
Therefore, preventive measures can reduce the likelihood of such an unpleasant situation:
- Wet cleaning in the apartment will help get rid of dust.
- Smoking in a room separate from where the animal is, will protect the four-legged friend from an allergy to tobacco smoke.
- Do not spray perfumes and other aerosols in the presence of a cat.
- It is necessary to carry out anthelmintic measures and do regular vaccinations for the cat.
- Be sure to clean the nose, ears and teeth of the animal.
- It is worth protecting kittens from drafts and hypothermia.
Attentiveness and concern for your four-legged friend will help to avoid serious consequences, and in some cases can save the life of the animal.