cat congestion

Hi.My cat has been dischrging a clear mucous and occasionally sneezing for the last couple of months.She eats and drinks normally.Is there anything I can do to treat this?
Thanks

RESPONSE:

Your cat sneezing problem is probably an infection of the upper respiratory tract or it could be an allergy but allergies typically cause itching more than sneezing. Common signs of rhinitis, a non-specific term describing nasal mucosa inflammation, include both nasal drainage and sneezing. Clear, watery discharge indicates a mild problem such as an allergy or weak viral infection while thick yellow to green discharge is more indicative of a bacterial infection. As an infection progresses, a nasal discharge can change from watery, to mucous to pus.

The cat nose is a good indicator of kitty colds which are prevalent and most commonly caused by viruses. Acute viral infections may produce fever, congested nasal passages, thick nasal discharge, lethargy and anorexia. Often, secondary bacterial infection will complicate the primary viral infection. Antibiotics which are used to treat upper respiratory infections in cats will work only if bacterial infection is present. A cat showing mild signs will recover relatively fast. Often antibiotics are prescribed to help prevent secondary bacterial invasion.

Some cats get pieces of plants or other foreign objects lodged in their nose and that can cause sneezing and possible nasal discharge. However, in your case it does sound like a mild viral infection. Your cat is still eating and drinking normally and she sneezes occasionally not constantly. It sounds like your cat has been fighting off the virus because she’s still eating normally. However, since it’s been a couple of months I don’t see any option except to go to the vet and get an antibiotic prescribed. Unfortunately most antibiotics require a prescription. You can never give your cat human cold or flu remedies because too often they contain acetaminophen which is toxic to cats.

One of our affiliates that I purchase feline anti-anxiety products from has a couple of products that you might want to take a look at. The first one is a “natural antibiotic”.
Oli-Vet Olive Leaf Extract 250 mg (90 caps) by VETRI-SCIENCE The second item is a homeopathic product called HomeoPet Nose Relief (15mL). They looked like something you could try if you didn’t want to call the vet just yet.

I wish I could have helped you further. Good luck with helping your furry friend.