CHRONIC RHINITIS

Rhinitis or sinusitis is an inflammation of the lining of the nasal cavity or sinuses. Chronic rhinitis is a fairly common condition in cats of all ages and breeds. It can lead to more severe health issues, so recognizing it early and taking steps to treat it is integral to the cat's health and happiness.

SYMPTOMS:

• Chronic, frequent sneezing
• Chronic nasal discharge
• Snuffling sound due to trouble breathing through the nose

Every cat sneezes once and awhile. If the cat is sneezing on a regular basis and also has symptoms such as nasal discharge and trouble breathing through the nose, then the cat might have chronic rhinitis. This condition can range in severity from cat to cat and often flares up when a cat is ill or under stress.

WHAT TO DO:

There are various courses of treatment for this condition depending on the cause. If your cat is experiencing chronic rhinitis you should not ignore the symptoms. While on occasion they will fade, they usually reappear. Untreated rhinitis can develop into more dangerous conditions like bronchitis or pneumonia. To protect your cat's long-term health, talk to your veterinarian about chronic rhinitis in your cat.

The contents of this page are provided for general informational purposes only. Under no circumstances should this page be substituted for professional consultation with a veterinarian.