7 reasons why a cat sneezes blood

A cat's nosebleeds may indicate temporary disruption of the integrity of blood vessels, and in some cases it is a serious symptom of a dangerous disease.

The intensity of nosebleeds varies - the faster the blood is released, the greater the danger looming over the pet.

In most cases, bleeding from the nasal cavity in cats occurs as a result of injuries to small vessels due to mechanical damage to the mucous membrane or during inflammatory processes. The mucous membrane lining the nasal cavity has a large number of small vessels and nerve endings.

Given the great mobility and curiosity of cats, nasal injuries are not that uncommon. If your pet experiences even one nosebleed, it is strongly recommended to visit a veterinarian. This will allow timely detection of possible pathology and avoid complications.

How to cure a pet

Owners often ask the question: “The cat is sneezing, what should I do at home?” Your four-legged friend can be treated at home if he does not have a serious illness that threatens his health.

At home

First of all, get rid of drafts in the room. Provide your pet with a cozy, warm place to sleep and relax. It is advisable not to disturb him again during illness. Give plenty of fluids and medications recommended by your doctor. Never self-medicate or offer pills intended for humans without consulting a veterinarian. This is fraught with a lot of problems, since “human” pills are not designed for such a small weight. – an overdose or a severe allergic reaction is possible.

If your cat has an allergy, try to find the allergen and eliminate its presence in the house as much as possible. Sometimes the litter for your pet is not suitable for you - try changing it to another one. If you have started general cleaning, do not spray household chemicals near your pet: lock it in the room, on the balcony, give it to a friend or neighbors for this time, so as not to once again provoke an unwanted process.

When contacting a sick animal, there is a high risk of contracting viral infections or rabies. This is especially true for our little brothers, who are taken to the country in the summer. Therefore, do not neglect vaccinations. Once a quarter, deworming is required, because animals sitting at home can become infected with worm eggs through dirty shoes, clothes, bags, bicycles, and strollers. And the most important advice - at the slightest suspicion of an illness, go to see a veterinarian.

Visit to the veterinary clinic and doctor's appointment

Visits to veterinary hospitals must be made at least once a year. This is done both for prevention and timely detection of dangerous diseases. Depending on the type of illness, the specialist will select effective medications to promote a speedy recovery.

If your pet has a common cold and runny nose, he will be prescribed injections, antibiotics, animal drops and observation by a doctor for a week. If it is an allergy, then antihistamines or special soothing ointments will be prescribed for the affected skin.

In case of exacerbation of viral infections, antibacterial drugs, specific serums, antibiotics, protein-vitamin and mineral complexes are prescribed to maintain immunity. Treatment of fungal diseases begins with tests to identify the type of fungus, after which the veterinarian allows the use of sulfur ointment, iodine, brilliant green, antifungal vaccines, and potassium iodide.

In serious cases of sinus cancer, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used in combination with medications that stimulate the immune system.

It is impossible to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment without examining your pet. Any qualified veterinarian will confirm this - and even refuse consultation over the phone, inviting the owner and pet to a “confrontation”.

Coronavirus infection - symptoms and treatment

Coronavirus infection is a group of acute infectious diseases caused by various serotypes of coronaviruses. It is characterized by a syndrome of general infectious intoxication and a syndrome of damage to the respiratory tract, mainly its upper and middle sections - the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi. With some variants of the virus, such as MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome with high mortality develops in 20% of cases [3][4].

A summary of the article is in the video:

Etiology

Strains pathogenic for humans belong to the genus Betacoronavirus. They can be divided into two groups:

Strains that lead to diseases of the type of non-severe ARVI : HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1. They differ at the genetic level in genome size and antigen properties. These types of coronavirus cause malaise, runny nose, sore throat, slight fever and an occasional cough.
Strains leading to severe lesions of the lower respiratory tract:
MERS-CoV (the natural source of the virus is dromedary camels);
SARS-CoV (the natural source of the virus is bats; the intermediate carrier of the virus is camels, Himalayan civets);
SARS-CoV-2 is a new type of coronavirus that caused a pandemic in 2019-2020. (natural source unknown).

The COVID-19 virus is subject to mutations and is constantly changing, as a result of which new variants appear and disappear regularly. Now there are at least five main ones:

B.1.1.7 (first identified in the UK);
B.1.351 (USA);
P.1 (Brazil);
B.1.427 and B.1.429 (USA, California).
B.1.617, or "Delta" (India).

Hypothetically, some of these variants may escape the action of vaccine antibodies, but there is no generally accepted information about this yet; research is ongoing. It is known that some of these strains may be more contagious and spread faster, increasing the number of new cases.

The Indian strain of coronavirus (Delta) is just one of hundreds of variants of the new coronavirus. It is not fundamentally different from the Chinese one and retains all the basic properties of coronaviruses, but, for reasons that are not yet fully understood, it is more contagious, affects more young people, and more often leads to hospitalization and the development of pneumonia. Existing vaccines have an inhibitory effect on it, but perhaps to a slightly lesser extent.

Coronaviruses are spiral-symmetrical RNA viruses with a single strand of RNA. They are spherical formations with a size of 80-220 nm. Externally, they resemble the solar corona due to their supercapsid-lipid shell surrounded by protein spikes. This is where the name of these viruses comes from.

Coronaviruses produce a number of enzymes (protease, helicase, replicase) and non-structural proteins that break down protein bonds in human cells. They also suppress the production of interferon, which helps fight viruses, provoke inflammation and trigger apoptosis - programmed cell death.

Coronavirus infection has a rather sophisticated method of penetration into the cells of the body . Surface protein “spikes” at the border of the viral particle imitate substances useful to the cell. They are mistakenly recognized by the cell's transmembrane receptors and given “permission” to enter. The immune system does not react to the penetration of the virus, since it sees no reason to attack material that is not dangerous to the body.

SARS-CoV-2 in this regard has more favorable conditions for entering the cell. Although it is more contagious, it often does not lead to a catastrophe at the level of cells and organs - a severe course is usually associated with exacerbation and worsening of existing chronic diseases due to the disease.

After attaching to the cell, the virus “pushes through” the cell membrane and introduces its RNA into its cytoplasm. Next, the assembly of proteins and ready-made viral formations begins. After the formation of the viral nucleocapsid, the finished viruses leave the cell, merging with the outer membrane, and the cell itself dies.

In the external environment, standard strains of coronaviruses are not resistant: most of them die within a few hours. Under favorable conditions, these viruses can live up to 2 days. They are highly sensitive to household disinfectants (they die in 2 minutes), drying, solar radiation, and heating above 56°C (they are inactivated in 10-15 minutes).

More pathogenic and viable viruses are MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2:

at room temperature they can last up to 7 days in liquid sputum, up to 3 days on plastic and stainless steel, up to a day on cardboard, up to 4 hours on copper;
under optimal conditions, they can persist for up to 3 hours in the form of an aerosol, up to 4 days in urine and feces;
When frozen, viruses last up to 3 weeks;
slight heating (over 56°C) destroys them in no more than half an hour, 70% alcohol and 0.5% peroxide solution - in a minute;
Solar ultraviolet radiation shortens the life cycle of such viruses, but does not lead to their rapid inactivation. Quartz treatment will destroy viruses more effectively than natural ultraviolet light, but it can be used when there are no people in the room, as they risk getting burns. Quartz lamps are used only in medical institutions, operating rooms, and laboratories. At home, they are ineffective for the prevention of coronavirus and other viral respiratory diseases, and at high power they can be dangerous. For prevention, surface treatment with an antiseptic with an alcohol content of 70% and disinfectants is recommended [3][5].
in laboratory conditions, when frozen to -70°C and lyophilized at 4°C (gently drying, freezing and placing in a vacuum), viruses persist for quite a long time [1][3][7][9].

Epidemiology

In total, about 40 types of coronaviruses are known (both pathogenic and non-pathogenic for humans). Most pathogenic forms of coronavirus constantly travel among people around the world and cause mild acute respiratory viral infections - pharyngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, etc. They occur in the winter and spring due to a weakening of the body's defenses and exacerbation of chronic ENT pathology.

Coronaviruses were first discovered in 1965 by scientists D. Tyrell and M. Bino in a patient with ARVI. Until 2002, it was believed that coronaviruses could only cause mild respiratory infections in humans. However, since that time, the world has accumulated experience in studying severe acute respiratory syndromes caused by coronaviruses. They caused diseases such as:

atypical pneumonia (caused by the SARS-CoV strain);
Middle East respiratory syndrome - an acute respiratory infection that smoothly turns into severe viral pneumonia with respiratory and sometimes renal failure (caused by the MERS-CoV strain);
potentially severe acute respiratory infection COVID-19 (caused by the SARS-CoV-2 strain).

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has emerged recently : the first reports of the disease appeared on December 8, 2021. Presumably, this strain is a recombinant, i.e. a virus in which the genetic material is partially supplemented by the foreign genome of a bat coronavirus and an unknown coronavirus (possibly a snake or pangolin). The birthplace of the virus and the emergence of the disease is the city of Wuhan, located in the Hubei province of the People's Republic of China. The primary source of infection is unknown. Presumably, the infection could have occurred at the seafood and exotic food market (bats, snakes).

In a short period of time (about 2 months), the virus spread quite quickly and caused a pandemic - the World Health Organization announced this on March 11, 2021. Residents of Italy, Iran, South Korea and the United States were especially affected.

Coronavirus: statistics in Russia and in the world

As of June 28, 2021, the number of cases was more than 181 million people (leaders: USA: more than 34 million, India: more than 30 million, Brazil: more than 18 million, France: more than 5 million, Russia: more than 5.4 million), of which more than 3.9 million people died (USA: more than 619 thousand, Brazil: more than 513 thousand, India: more than 396 thousand, Russia: more than 133 thousand). It is mainly older people who are seriously ill, for whom the virus is especially dangerous (up to 80% of all fatal cases).

Coronavirus in Moscow

As of June 28, 1,338,937 cases were detected in Moscow, 1,143,858 recovered, and 22,086 died.

Causes of coronavirus infection

The source of infection is sick people (from the end of the incubation period, including mild and asymptomatic forms of the disease) and dogs, but the risk of transmission of the virus from animals to humans is very low. The SARS-CoV-2 strain can potentially be transmitted from humans to domestic animals, after which it mutates and returns to humans. Now only the possibility of transmission of the virus from humans to cats and ferrets has been confirmed [12].

Transmission mechanisms:

Aerosol:
airborne droplets - when talking, sneezing and coughing at a distance of less than 2 m;
airborne dust path - when dust particles get in contact with virus particles;
Contact - when virus particles are transferred from contaminated areas of the body or objects into the eyes, mouth or nose after shaking hands, touching door handles, etc.
Fecal-oral - during anal-oral contact, cooking, non-compliance with hygiene rules after restrooms.

Transmission factors are air, dust, household items, food products contaminated with the virus. The closer and closer the contact between healthy and sick people, the higher the likelihood of transmission of infection. Medical workers, people associated with close direct contact with people, as well as organized groups have an increased risk of infection.

Due to its instability in the external environment, any coronavirus cannot be transmitted through parcels from China under any circumstances. They last much longer than the possible period of survival of the virus on any materials.

So far, people do not have innate or acquired immunity to the new type of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, so all people on the planet are susceptible to the disease. After an illness, stable humoral immunity is formed, but only to the serotype that the person suffered from. Therefore, recurrent diseases caused by other types of coronaviruses are possible. After birth, a child will inherit short-term passive immunity from the mother for about a month and a half (sometimes a little longer when breastfeeding).

As with any acute respiratory viral infection, rare repeated cases of infection with the same type of virus are possible (in weakened patients or in cases of defective antibody formation, but this is rare).

Today, the average mortality rate from COVID-19 is approximately 5%. It is still quite difficult to predict the dynamics of this disease. The fact that some viral isolates have already become less pathogenic does not indicate a decline in incidence, since large-scale testing for the new strain of coronavirus is not available in all countries. According to rough estimates, COVID-19 will actively spread for about 1.5-2 years until the overwhelming number of people develop protective antibodies [1][2][6][8].

Why does my pet sneeze?

The sneezing process can be caused by various reasons. If your cat sneezed violently just a few times in a row, then most likely dust particles got into her nose. Frequent sneezing occurs due to:

allergies;
foreign body in the respiratory tract;
diseases of the respiratory system;
worms;
problems with teeth.

Allergies in cats

Cats, like people, experience allergic reactions. Animals begin to sneeze and rub their noses with their paws. Often, allergies develop to chemical detergents and cleaning products that owners use when cleaning their homes. Allergens also include plant pollen and cigarette smoke. Some cats start sneezing because of cat litter. Their eyes water.

Finding out the cause of an allergic reaction is quite difficult. If your pet starts sneezing, then look at what objects it comes into contact with, remember what chemicals you used when you had to do the cleaning. For example, you washed the cat's food bowl using some kind of detergent, or sprayed air freshener in the presence of the animal.

Presence of a foreign body

When eating food in a hurry, pieces of food, water, and during play - small objects (buttons, small parts from toys, pins) get into the respiratory tract. Fluids leave the respiratory system due to a reflex contraction of the muscles of the larynx.

With solid objects the situation is different. They linger inside, constantly causing a sneezing reflex and coughing. If a foreign body enters your cat's respiratory tract, contact your veterinarian immediately for help. In such cases, you cannot hesitate, because it is difficult for the animal to breathe. It may die.

Respiratory system diseases

Sneezing is a sign that the cat has a cold or has some kind of respiratory illness. For example, a cat fell ill with rhinitis. With this disease, the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed due to parasites or mechanical damage. In addition to sneezing, the following symptoms are observed:

eyes water;
a runny nose appears (snot of a serous, mucous, mucopurulent nature);
crusts appear around the animal’s nostrils;
wheezing is heard when breathing;
inhalations and exhalations are made through the mouth;
the animal does not eat well;
The pet has a hot nose.

Treatment of rhinitis consists of eliminating the cause of the disease. Veterinarians recommend cleaning the nasal passages of cats, rinsing them with astringent solutions, and inhaling sulfonamides and antibiotics.

The reason why a cat sneezes several times in a row may be due to bronchial asthma. When the disease occurs, attacks of suffocation are observed. A sick animal, as a rule, sits with its neck stretched out, sniffles, wheezes, coughs, and tries to breathe through its mouth. If your pet has difficulty breathing, you should immediately take it to a veterinary clinic. After diagnosis, the doctor will advise treating the disease at home with drugs that dilate the bronchi.

Helminths

Do cats sneeze from worms? This is a pressing question for pet owners. Helminths sometimes cause sneezing. Some types of parasites, when they enter the intestines, do not remain there, but penetrate through the mucous membrane into the blood vessels, then enter the lungs through the bloodstream. Being in the bronchi, helminths cause irritation. When sneezing and coughing, they enter the oral cavity and are swallowed again by the animal.

Heartworms are very dangerous. Veterinarians, identifying them, immediately prescribe treatment. Worms enter the body after a mosquito bite. Helminth larvae travel through the bloodstream to the heart, where they remain. The growth and development of worms occurs in the organ.

Adults cause blockage of arteries. The pet begins to breathe heavily, sneeze and cough. As a result, infection with heartworms leads to a sad outcome - the cat has a heart attack and dies. That is why it is necessary to treat helminthic infestations.

Dental problems

Another reason for sneezing is bad teeth. Infectious and inflammatory processes occurring in the oral cavity often spread to the nasal area. In this regard, the domestic cat begins to sneeze and rub its nose with its paw for no apparent reason, and snot appears. Due to her illness, she doesn't eat well.

To save your pet from dental problems, take him to the veterinarian. Appropriate treatment (such as tooth or tartar removal) may be required. To prevent oral diseases in your pet, use a special toothpaste for animals or purchase food, some of which have now begun to help partially remove plaque.

Detailed description of the study

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) belongs to the RNA viruses of the Paramyxoviridae family and is similar to measles and mumps viruses. Infection with this pathogen occurs through airborne droplets when virus particles spread during sneezing or coughing.

Once in the human respiratory tract, RSV penetrates into the epithelial cells of the mucous membrane. Its active reproduction causes the transformation of cells into multinucleated giant syncytia, which is why the name of the pathogen is associated.

At the end of the incubation period, which lasts on average 2-5 days, symptoms characteristic of an acute viral respiratory infection are noted:

Runny nose;
Nasal congestion;
Sore throat;
Hoarseness of voice;
General malaise, weakness;
Increase in body temperature to moderate values;
Cough with sputum.

RSV infection can be dangerous for a child in the first year of life, since in infants the infection most often affects the lower respiratory tract, causing disruption of ventilation and oxygen supply. Clinically, this is expressed in damage to the lower respiratory tract, the development of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the smallest bronchi) and pneumonia (inflammation of lung tissue). There is a significant increase in body temperature, respiratory failure, pallor of the skin against the background of blue extremities (actocyanosis), shortness of breath, wheezing in the lungs.

Severe RSV infection can cause febrile seizures in children associated with high fever. Complications of the disease are persistent changes in the lungs - atelectasis, emphysema. In children over one year old and adults with normal immunity, the infection progresses more favorably.

Infection with RSV leads to the formation of antibodies to the pathogen - immunoglobulins of different classes. IgM is initially released, after 2-4 weeks they are replaced by IgG, which persist for a long time.

Laboratory assessment of the level of class G antibodies to RSV allows one to assess whether there has been infection in the past and carry out differential diagnosis with other causes of respiratory disorders in people, mainly preschool children (influenza viruses, parainfluenza and others).

What measures should be taken?

Nosebleeds in a cat are a serious symptom that requires immediate attention. What to do if a cat has a nosebleed and what does this indicate?

Causes of the disease

A cat's nose consists of two parts: bone and soft (shell). The mucous membrane, containing nerve endings and blood vessels, lines the nasal cavity. In case of inflammation of the nasal mucosa or mechanical damage to its vessels, profuse bleeding from the nose occurs. Sometimes a cat sneezes blood.

However, a pet's nosebleed may be the main consequence of:

injuries (fall, impact);
chronic hypertension (constant high blood pressure);
entry of a foreign object into the upper respiratory tract;
infectious disease;
use of medications (for example, Warfarin);
oncological pathologies;
poisoning;
hemophilia (chronic bleeding that develops against the background of decreased blood clotting);
fungal infections;
purulent inflammation;
dental problems.

First aid

It is necessary to calm the animal. Otherwise, an excited state can increase blood pressure, which will contribute to increased bleeding. Never give your pet sedatives. This can only harm the situation.
Calm down yourself.

Remember: the cat detects the nervous state of its owner.

You can reduce bleeding by applying an ice pack to the bridge of your nose.
If there is no positive dynamics and if there is difficulty breathing, urgently call a veterinarian at home or go to the clinic yourself.

If you notice swelling on the body, deformation or asymmetry of the muzzle, the appearance of the third eyelid, its redness, swelling of the back of the nose - this should be reported first.

Important: these pets are accepted without a queue! Black, soiled stool indicates intestinal bleeding. Vomiting blood - about stomach

However, vomiting after bleeding may be a consequence rather than a cause, since the cat simply swallows a large amount of blood. If the mucous membranes of the oral cavity become marbled in color, immediately tell your doctor. This is a clear sign of severe bleeding; the pet needs urgent hospitalization and qualified care. The veterinarian should be notified of any medications the cat may have taken.

Diagnostics

If your cat has persistent nosebleeds, you should immediately consult a doctor. Otherwise, irreversible processes may begin in the animal’s body. The veterinarian prescribes the following examinations:

General analysis of blood and urine (assessing the extent of blood loss by counting platelets, identifying the source of inflammation, identifying problems in the kidneys).
Biochemical blood test (determining the rate of clotting, assessing the functioning of internal organs).
Serological test (detection of diseases caused by fungal infection).
Rhinoscopy (detection of a foreign body, its removal).
X-ray of the chest, nose (excluding pulmonary hemorrhage, assessing the condition of the nasal sinuses, tooth roots).
Pressure measurement.
Surgical method (used in exceptional cases when other tests have not helped to identify the cause of nosebleeds, necessary to remove a foreign body in hard-to-reach places or take a tissue biopsy).

Once the diagnosis is made, the veterinarian prescribes treatment, the purpose of which is to eliminate the original cause of the bleeding. As a rule, it is medicinal. If cancer is detected, a surgical method (tumor removal) can be used.

Why do cats cough? What could this symptom indicate? — read the article What to do if your cat coughs?

How are nosebleeds treated?

Of course, veterinarians treat the disease that caused this unpleasant symptom. Animals with infections are given antibiotics and other drugs, with hypertension, blood pressure is reduced, and in case of poisoning, toxins are removed.

If tumors are found during the study, doctors take pieces of them for analysis - they do a biopsy. Only after this can the possibility of performing operations to remove these tumors be assessed. Complex injuries and deep penetration of foreign bodies are treated surgically.

In addition to eliminating the cause, symptomatic treatment is also prescribed to reduce the likelihood of bleeding. To do this, the animal is given injections of substances that promote blood clotting (drugs such as Ditsinon and Vikasol are most often used).

We have taken a detailed look at the information that an owner needs to know about nasal bleeding in cats. We hope that knowledge and confidence in your actions will help you provide first aid to your cat if necessary.

Heartworm infection in a cat

It is extremely rare, but still occurs in practice, that such cute creatures as cats become infected with heartworms when they find themselves in places with very high air humidity and a maximum number of mosquitoes. Why these insects? Yes, because it is through their bite that the parasite is transmitted to the pet. The heartworms themselves, once in the cat’s body, affect the right side of the heart, as well as the lungs. As a result, the arteries become clogged, it becomes difficult to breathe, and coughing and sneezing begins. And the end is often sad - a heart attack and death.

To protect your mustachioed pet from these parasites, follow the following preventive measures:

maintain strong immunity,
ensure proper diet and lifestyle.

And when traveling outdoors, you can prepare a special mosquito repellent in advance (dilute citronella with plain water). This composition will reduce the risk of parasite infection to a minimum, which will undoubtedly preserve the health and, of course, the life of your pet. This is just the simplest measure to prevent infection with malicious worms. Your veterinarian will cover this topic in more detail.

What to do if your cat sneezes

There are many reasons for frequent sneezing. Some of which are harmless. A simple reminder will help owners understand them:

Single sneeze – no need to do anything.
The cat sneezed several times, then stopped - it is worth observing the condition for the next 2-3 hours. If the sneezing does not recur, nothing needs to be done.
A cat always sneezes in the same circumstances (during feeding, on the bed, after the owner has used an aerosol or smoked) - eliminate the provoking factor.
The pet has a stuffy nose, his breathing is hoarse, similar to snoring - provide his favorite food, drink plenty of fluids, avoid drafts, hypothermia.
Signs of a cold persist for more than 2 days without noticeable relief - consult a veterinarian.
Purulent discharge from the nose has appeared - ensure the highest possible hygiene of the coat.
Bloody discharge - apply a cold compress.
Transparent, but plentiful - provide care for the coat.
Any discharge that persists for more than a day without noticeable improvement - contact your veterinarian.
The appearance of purulent discharge from the eyes, especially if the kitten’s eyes are purulent, contact a veterinarian.
Bad breath, refusal to eat, vomiting, diarrhea - contact your veterinarian.
The cat periodically breathes hoarsely, opens its mouth, attacks occur under the same conditions - contact a veterinarian.

A cat sneezes: the reasons for this phenomenon

An animal may sneeze for natural reasons, for example, a speck of dust has entered its nasal passages.

But there are also reasons why owners should really think about it. Let's list them.

A cat may sneeze due to:

polyps inside the nose;
colds;
presence of allergies;
cancer of the nasal cavity;
problems with gums or teeth;
sinus infections.

Why does a cat sneeze? If this happens all the time, then this indicates the presence of an infection that is located in the upper respiratory tract. This may be a herpes virus, parainfluenza virus or adenovirus.

The first named infection takes a very long time to be treated, complicated by exacerbations.

In addition, the cat, like any creature, is susceptible to allergic irritants.

These include substances such as:

tobacco smoke;
pollen;
insect sprays;
perfume;
mold;
cleaning (household) products.

Upon contact with an allergen, the purr immediately begins to sneeze

Particular attention should be paid to cats with a flat nose, for example, Persian. Breeds with short nasal passages are primarily susceptible to irritants

Allergy to cats

In this article, pediatrician at the DocDeti clinic Igor Krivov will talk about allergies to cats.

You can often hear the question: what to do if you already have a cat, is it possible not to give it away?

There is a common false belief that allergies occur to cat fur; in fact, the allergic reaction is provoked by proteins contained in the saliva, epithelium and lacrimal glands. Proteins indirectly get onto the animal’s fur while licking itself with its tongue. Therefore, there can be an allergy to a hairless cat, since the reason is not the presence of hair.

What symptoms do patients allergic to cats experience?

1. Sneezing;

2. The occurrence of cough, wheezing, feeling of lack of air;

3. The appearance of an itchy rash and swelling in the place that the cat touched (licked, scratched);

4. Itching, swelling and redness of the eyes;

5. The appearance of mucous discharge from the nose, nasal congestion.

How is a cat allergy confirmed?

One option is to take a blood test for specific IgE antibodies to cat allergens. You can also do a skin test or prick test.

Is it possible to know in advance whether an allergic reaction to a cat will occur?

If you have a history of allergies, you are more likely to encounter an allergy. But all situations are individual and it is best to resolve this issue with a doctor.

If a cat is not around, can animal allergy symptoms occur?

Yes! Allergens can stick to clothing, human hair, and house dust particles. It turns out that they are in the air for a long time and are transferred from place to place. Therefore, even if there are no animals nearby, but there are a lot of people (at school, cinema), the concentration of allergens can be quite high. In addition, allergens can enter through ventilation into apartments where there are no animals.

What should you pay attention to if you are allergic to cats?

1. One of the most effective ways to cope with an allergy to an animal is to avoid contact with the allergen, which means that you need to part with the cat.

2. ASIT with cat allergens. But, unfortunately, this drug is not available in our country.

Below we list auxiliary methods that will only help alleviate the condition:

1. Block the cat’s path to the bedroom.

2. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the cat.

3. Use a clothes roller if you have had contact with a cat.

4. Use washable covers for upholstered furniture.

5. Avoid carpets and other dust collectors.

6. Carry out regular cleaning, preferably with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

7. Wash your cat regularly.

8. There is a hypoallergenic cat food that targets the main allergen Fel d1, reducing it. But it’s difficult to say how effective it is.

9. It is important to follow the therapy prescribed by your doctor, such as using antihistamines, MDIs (inhalers), nasal sprays. It is possible to use them constantly or before contact with the cat occurs.

If you do not stop contacting your cat, the risk of developing bronchial asthma increases.

Interesting Facts:

There are 12 allergens in cats, identified in patients with allergies, the main ones include:

Fel d1 is a major allergen produced by the salivary glands, sebaceous glands, and anal glands.

Fel d2 – present in all representatives of the cat family. Cross-reactions with pork occur.

Fel d4 - found in saliva. Extremely stable in the external environment.

It was found that males are more allergenic than females. After castration, the level of allergens decreases.

The concentration of the main allergen depends on the age of the cat: kittens and old animals have lower allergen levels. After washing the cat, the allergen level is restored within 2-3 days.

Is there a vaccine for cat allergies?

A vaccine for cats is currently being developed, which, by neutralizing the main allergen (Fel d1) contained in saliva, reduces the allergenicity of the animal. But there are questions regarding the effectiveness of this vaccine.

*there are contraindications, consult a specialist.

What should I do at home if my pet sneezes?

All pets that are experiencing sneezing and snorting with increasing frequency should visit a veterinarian. Here are a couple of simple, common sense tips for pet owners whose animals sneeze or snort constantly.

Limit your pet's movement.
Place your pet in a crate or small area (such as a bedroom or bathroom) to observe his behavior.
Don't overload your pet.
Long walks or exercise should be avoided until you can take your pet to the vet.
Take your pet's temperature.
If your pet has a high fever (over 40-41 degrees), contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

If your pet is suffering from other obvious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, pain, poor appetite, or is simply acting differently than usual, take him to the vet immediately - if necessary, to a hospital with a intensive care unit. Additionally, if there is nasal discharge or the sneezing is productive, meaning mucus, blood, or other discharge is produced, your pet should see a doctor. These are usually signs of a more urgent health condition than the advice given here.

If you don't know what to do, call your veterinarian or animal emergency clinic.

Treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux

Lifestyle changes and diet are the main approach in the treatment of LPR and GERD. The role of drug therapy is more controversial. It is unknown whether asymptomatic patients with incidentally detected signs of LPR require treatment. There are theoretical concerns that LPR may increase the risk of malignancy, but this has not yet been proven. In any case, patients with asymptomatic LPR are advised to follow a diet.

Patients are advised to quit smoking, alcohol, and avoid foods and drinks containing caffeine, chocolate, and mint. Prohibited foods also include most fruits (especially citrus fruits), tomatoes, jams and jellies, barbecue sauces and most salad dressings, and spicy foods. Small meals are recommended.

You should avoid exercise for at least two hours after eating, and refrain from eating or drinking three hours before bedtime.

Drug therapy usually includes proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2 blockers, and antacids. A PPI is recommended for six months for most patients with LPR. This figure is based on the results of endoscopic studies (this is the time needed to reduce laryngeal edema), as well as the high percentage of relapse in the case of a three-month course of therapy. Discontinuation of therapy should be carried out gradually.

If therapy with PPIs and H2 blockers is unsuccessful, treatment with tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentin and pregabalin should be considered, since one of the possible mechanisms for the development of reflux is increased sensitivity of the larynx.

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The article provides an opportunity to understand why such a problem may occur and answers questions about how best to deal with it and what to look for in solving the most common difficulties with bleeding in kittens

The kitten has a nosebleed and is sneezing: causes and treatment

If your kitten is bleeding when he sneezes, you might want to consider whether he may have inhaled some chemical that could be causing the symptoms. The kitten must be taken to a doctor immediately, but if this is not possible, then you should try to stop the bleeding and sneezing at home.

This can be done in the following ways: apply ice compresses to the kitten or give the pet a vasoconstrictor.

The kitten has bleeding from the nose and mouth, eyes, what should I do?

The kitten may bleed from the eyes, nose and mouth, perhaps in cases where it has fallen from some height, or it has eaten some kind of poison. In any case, a doctor’s examination is necessary, and the sooner the better, since nothing can be done to help the kitten at home.

How to stop a cat's nose bleeding

If a cat has bleeding from its nose, then, firstly, there is no need to panic, since nervous excitement is transmitted to cats, which in their case is extremely harmful, as it leads to an increase in blood pressure.

Secondly, you need to apply a cold compress to the back of your cat's nose, making sure that your pet does not block his breathing.

If the bleeding has not stopped and the cat has breathing problems, the animal urgently needs to be shown to a veterinarian. If everything is fine with breathing and the blood has stopped, there is no need to panic.

When the blood stops flowing, you should take a napkin and water and clean the animal’s nose.

Any bleeding in a pet causes strong emotions in owners: from anxiety to panic. Nothing human is alien to cats, and therefore they are susceptible to nosebleeds no less than people. Sometimes this is a single manifestation of some temporary disorder, sometimes it is a signal of a serious illness.

Let's figure out why a cat's nose bleeds when sneezing, and how you can help it.

First aid for a cat with a nosebleed

So, the cat has blood coming out of its nose. If a runny nose initially occurs and streaks of blood appear in the mucus, this condition is most likely not critical, although it also requires certain actions (more about this in the article “What to do when a cat sneezes and has snot?”).

The release of drops, and even more so a trickle of blood, can seriously frighten the owner. What to do if your cat has a bleeding nose? First of all, put off panic. The owner's anxiety can agitate the pet, and this will lead to increased blood pressure and, as a result, increased bleeding.

Try to calm down: now the health of your beloved animal depends on your composure. Provide your pet with silence and a calm environment.

If moderate to severe nosebleeds develop, it is better to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

Apply something cold to the bridge of your nose, such as an ice pack or something wrapped in a cloth from the freezer. This must be done in such a way as not to prevent the animal from breathing freely.
Find out where the nearest veterinary clinic equipped with a rhinoscope is located. If there is no one nearby, then go to any other one or call a veterinarian at home.
While you are waiting for a doctor's examination, if possible, carefully examine the animal yourself - its face and mouth. Remember what medications you gave the cat, whether there was access to the street, etc. If the animal feels unwell, has pale mucous membranes and rapid breathing, and the bleeding continues, then the clinic can see you without a queue.

If veterinary care is not available, cold treatment should be applied until the bleeding subsides. You can gently rinse your nose with aminocaproic acid - this is a hemostatic agent sold in a regular pharmacy. We talked in detail about the technique of rinsing the nose of cats in the article “What to do at home if a cat sneezes?”

Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine the exact causes at home - only a specialist can do this.

My cat sneezes and snorts. What's the matter? General information

Sneezing and snorting seem like obvious enough signs to identify, but it's not always easy to tell them apart in pets. Indeed, these two symptoms can sometimes appear so that many people use the terms interchangeably. Sneezing is usually defined as a sudden, involuntary movement of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth. This phenomenon usually occurs in response to some irritant of the upper respiratory tract, most often to the thin receptor structures of the mucous membrane that lines the nasal passages.

A snort, on the other hand, looks and is identically defined as a sneeze. The difference is that sneezing is involuntary, while snorting is a voluntary effort on the part of the pet.

Dogs and cats sneeze and snort for a variety of reasons related to the functioning of the upper respiratory tract. While many are normal and benign reactions to simple irritation, some may signal infections, upper airway obstructions, and allergic diseases. There are also other pathological conditions of the upper respiratory tract.

Nasal rinsing: benefits and harms

Recently, nasal rinsing with systems such as “Dolphin”, “Aqua Maris” watering can, and rinsing according to the yoga system has become increasingly popular.

Is it really useful and safe?

Let's start with the pleasant - there really are benefits.

Firstly, when rinsing, the nasal mucosa is moistened, which in the Ural region, for example, is extremely important due to low air humidity, especially during the heating season.

Secondly, when rinsing, the nose is mechanically cleaned not only from dust particles, but also from pathogenic microorganisms (viral particles, bacteria, etc.).

Despite the obvious benefits, fans of “washing” often become patients of otolaryngologists.

The fact is that when rinsing the nose in volume, water under pressure enters not only the nose, but also the nasopharynx. It is not always possible to quickly evacuate fluid through the mouth or through the other half of the nose, especially with nasal congestion when swelling of the mucous membrane occurs. The fluid, forced to follow the path of least resistance, is sent through the auditory tube straight into the middle ear. With all the ensuing, literally and figuratively, consequences. In this case, microflora is carried into the tympanic cavity (usually the environment in the middle ear is relatively sterile). This, in turn, can provoke an infectious inflammation of the middle ear - otitis media.

In childhood, this problem becomes even more pressing. The anatomical features of young children provoke the rapid spread of the infectious process: 1. Short and gaping auditory tubes, 2. Horizontal arrangement of the auditory tubes, 3. Adenoids in the nasopharynx.

Based on the above, volumetric lavage is an extremely risky procedure, especially in young children.

To preserve the advantages of rinsing and prevent the disadvantages as much as possible, it is recommended to either spray saline solutions into the nose (sprays) or instill them.

There are two main types of saline solutions: physiological and hypertonic. They differ in the concentration of salt in the solution and, as a result, in the principle of action.

Physiological (normotonic, isotonic) solutions, 0.9% solution - correspond to the normal salinity of mucus (blood, etc.) and are used to prevent infection and moisturize the nasal mucosa.

For example, in a pharmacy you can find: “Physiomer Mild rinse” and “Moderate rinse”, saline solution, “Aqualor Soft” or “Aqualor Baby”, “Aqua Maris”, “Marimer isotonic”, “Humer 150”... Of these personally I like Physiomer and Aqualor - they have a fairly large volume of injected liquid. But the main favorite: physical. the solution (the only downside of which is ease of use) is cheap and cheerful. It can be instilled from a pipette or without pressure from a small syringe.

Hypertonic saline solutions - relieve swelling of the mucous membrane, improve the outflow from the sinuses due to the high concentration of salt in the nasal cavity. This happens due to natural physiological processes: where there is more salt, water flows there. Therefore, the fluid leaves the tissues and sinuses and enters the lumen of the nose, from where it is evacuated by simply blowing the nose.

An additional bonus is the destruction of the bacterial cell wall by the same mechanism as the removal of edema; the cells seem to “explode” from the inside. The downside is some possible drying of the mucous membrane, which goes away after stopping the drugs.

Therefore, hypertonic solutions are not recommended for use longer than 30 days. Hypertonic solutions are used, for example, for acute respiratory infections.

Here are some examples of hypertonic solutions: “Aqualor Forte”, “Humer Hypertonic”, “Aqua Maris Strong”, Quicks, “Marimer Hypertonic”, “Physiomer Hypertonic”... or 1 teaspoon of salt (either sea salt or food grade) without a slide for 1 glass of water.

Attention! For some of these drugs, the instructions do not correspond to reality. The solutions are either sprayed (head straight) or instilled.

There are contraindications. Before use, consult a specialist.

Tests for nosebleeds

After collecting anamnesis and narrowing the range of diagnoses, the doctor should double-check his assumptions by conducting tests:

General blood analysis. Indicators that help in diagnosis are the level of red blood cells and platelets. A lack of blood cells indicates anemia or a bleeding disorder, respectively.
Blood chemistry. Typically, blood is taken for key indicators, which are “distorted” in the event of malfunction of specific organs. For example, bilirubin can be considered a marker of liver function.
General urine analysis.
Blood clotting tests are a series of tests that evaluate the function of platelets.
X-ray – performed to confirm or remove diagnoses: injury, neoplasm, dental disease, etc.
Check your blood pressure – High blood pressure can cause nosebleeds.
A nasal swab or wash is a series of tests that helps identify fungal and bacterial infections.

If the doctor cannot narrow the diagnostic spectrum based on symptoms, the diagnosis will be carried out according to the “simple” principle. That is, first they rule out trauma to the head and spine, for this they do an MRI. If the examination is not indicative, an examination of the nose and upper respiratory tract using an endoscope is prescribed.

Causes of nosebleeds in cats

The cat's nasal cavity is lined with mucous membrane containing blood vessels and nerves. Most often, nosebleeds are the result of injury to small vessels due to mechanical damage or inflammation of the nasal mucosa. But there may be more serious reasons.

Injury. Damage resulting from a puncture (for example, from a plant with a hard spine), a fight with another animal, or an accident (kick, fall, car accident, etc.) Foreign body. Sometimes some small object or debris (a grain, a piece of stem or twig, etc.) can get into the cat’s nasal cavity.

A tumor growing in a cat's nose. Nasal tumors are most common in older cats

Pay attention to the shape of the cat's muzzle, since neoplasms usually lead to its asymmetry or deformation, swelling, changes in the integrity or color of the skin of the nose, unequal size of the eyeballs, watery eyes, etc. Dental problem

Often the cause of a nasal infection is a dental infection. For example, an abscess (purulent inflammation of tissue) of a tooth root often affects the nasal sinus cavity. The infection will interfere with the normal functioning of the nasal mucosa, which leads to its dryness and bleeding. Hypertension (high blood pressure). An increase in blood pressure leads to rupture of small capillaries in the nasal mucosa, which leads to bleeding. Blood clotting disorder. Platelets (colorless blood cells) are responsible for the formation of blood clots and stopping bleeding (clotting). If there are not enough platelets, the blood becomes thin, which causes bleeding.

Currently, many diseases have been identified that lead to poor blood clotting. With such diseases, other signs are usually observed (for example, the appearance of red spots on the gums and ears, pale gums, lethargy, loss of energy). Reduced blood clotting in a cat can occur due to a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (for example, with viral leukemia, viral immunodeficiency, side effects of chemotherapy drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, some tumors, with autoimmune thrombocytopenia), or with pathologies of the blood coagulation system (for example, with DIC syndrome, liver failure, hemophilia).

Poisoning with certain substances, for example, Warfarin (a drug with an anti-clotting effect), hemolytic poisons (substances that cause hemolysis), can also cause nosebleeds, possibly severe.

Nasal infection. Nasal discharge, including blood, is a consequence of bacterial, viral respiratory diseases, and rhinitis.
Pulmonary hemorrhage. Lung tumor, pulmonary edema, injury to lung tissue lead to respiratory failure and circulatory disorders, which affects the condition of all organs and systems. The functions of the liver and lungs are also affected, and the blood clotting process is disrupted.
Poisoning with rat poison. The ingredients in rat poison affect your cat's blood clotting, which may cause bleeding. Cat poisoning is possible either through direct contact with the poison or through eating a poisoned rodent.
Parasites. The cause of disturbances in the circulatory system and blood composition (in particular, damage to platelets) can also be fungal diseases, such as histoplasmosis and blastomycosis, as well as rickettsial infections transmitted by ticks.

Nosebleeds can also be caused by parasites that feed on the cat's blood - fleas and ticks. A very severe infection with these parasites can lead to a decrease in the number of platelets responsible for blood clotting.

Sneezing. Inflammation (for example, as a result of a respiratory infection, runny nose) or simply irritation of the nasal mucosa can cause a cat to sneeze violently, which in turn provokes nosebleeds. Sneezing can slow down natural blood clotting.

If the bleeding is one-time, caused by a minor injury and stops quickly, then there is no reason to worry.

If the bleeding is frequent, regularly repeated, accompanied by large loss of blood, and other symptoms are present, a visit to the veterinary clinic is a must!

Loss of smell

A person smells through receptors. Molecules of substances carrying aroma enter the receptors, these waves are transmitted along the nerve endings to the brain, where this impulse is processed. Most often, loss of smell occurs in men, much less often in women. With age, the risk increases, and you need to be more careful about your body.

There are different types of loss of smell:

Hyposmia is an extremely poor perception of smells. Also, with hyposmia, there is an incomplete loss of smell, i.e. only for certain smells.
Hyperosmia is, on the contrary, excessive sensitivity to odors.
Cacosmia - perception in this case is turned upside down. Attractive smells seem disgusting.
Anosmia is the complete loss of olfactory processes. It is formed due to colds, and in some cases even after a stroke.

Loss of smell can occur from birth, due to the fact that the respiratory organs have not had time to form properly. You can also acquire anosmia during your life.

Causes of loss of smell

During the loss of smell, the receptors will not respond to stimuli. The brain does not receive signals and does not distinguish smells. If the problem is in the central nervous system, then the receptors, on the contrary, send impulses to the brain, but the brain does not perceive them. And sometimes it may be that the receptors in the nose recognize and send odors to the brain, but along the way they are blocked.

ARVI and COVID-19

Loss of smell can be a consequence of a common cold, flu or acute respiratory viral infection. In this case, swelling of the mucous membrane occurs, which disrupts not only the breathing process, but also deprives the receptors of their functions - transmitting impulses to the brain.

Not long ago, doctors found out that loss of smell is, in most cases, also a symptom of coronavirus. It appears in 80% of cases on about 3–5 days. Moreover, during this period the person may not experience any other symptoms. It is known that the nasal mucosa is the first to encounter viruses and bacteria, and the immune system begins to work from the nose to destroy as many viral agents as possible. Perhaps damage to the receptors and cells of the mucous membrane occurs precisely because of the “smart” attack of the virus in order to break the defense at the attack stage and easily penetrate the body.

Another opinion is that the sense of smell disappears due to the body’s protective reaction to the virus; the receptors sacrifice themselves to prevent the infection from spreading. The sense of smell returns approximately 2 weeks after complete healing. But there are rare cases when the return is delayed and the sense of smell is fully restored within several months.

According to statistics, in most cases this symptom indicates that the disease will not develop into a particularly acute form with serious consequences. Most often, anosmia develops immediately after the incubation period, 3-4 days after the viral agents have entered the body, but before the appearance of other symptoms - sore throat, cough, fever, rash and chest congestion, weakness and fever.

According to another version, with covid, olfactory receptors are damaged at the level of the nervous system, when the transmission of impulses from the receptors to the brain and back is blocked by viral agents. But why this happens and how the virus acts in the body of a particular person is an area that has not been sufficiently studied.

That is why sleeping pills and sedatives are often prescribed in doctors’ protocols. To support the nervous system that is being attacked.

Also, we can assume that in mild, moderate and severe forms of the disease without critical complications, the return of the sense of smell with proper treatment of coronavirus indicates that the virus is receding, even if other symptoms are partially preserved.

Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease

Loss of smell in such diseases is the most striking symptom. Sometimes it can become the very first and earliest sign of impending irreversible disorders in the brain. Thus, scientists can determine the risk of disease for a person by how he is able to recognize, remember and remember smells.

In this case, we have to say that the loss of smell is exclusively neurological in nature. Atrophic changes in the cerebral cortex, characteristic of these diseases, affect the central part of the olfactory analyzer. According to MRI, degeneration processes affect the primary olfactory cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and hypothalamus. Which inevitably leads not only to disturbances in coordination activity, but also to memory loss and impaired sense of smell.

Other causes of loss of smell

Allergy. If a person is susceptible to allergic reactions to the smells of flowers or something else, his nasal cavity may become inflamed.
Injuries. If the nose or brain is injured, the sense of smell may disappear immediately.
Age. The older a person gets, the processes in his body slow down. This happens with the membranes of the nose. Older people are more likely to experience dryness and atrophy of the nasal mucosa.
Tumor. If a benign tumor is found, it is removed and the sense of smell gradually returns.
Polyps. New growths in the nose can interfere with olfactory processes.
Smoking. Nicotine destroys the nerve endings in the nose, this happens gradually, but can lead to a complete loss of smell.
Neurosis. Loss of smell can be caused by long-term emotional problems or a lot of stress.
Burns. Toxic vapors, when inhaled, can burn the nasal mucosa or lubrication with alcohol-containing liquids.
Incorrect structure of the nasal cavity.
Lack of vitamins (vitamin A) or other substances in the body.

Consequences of loss of smell

Problems in the perception of smells are a big problem that has a great impact on the entire body. Bright and juicy aromas of food trigger the digestive system and stimulate the secretion of gastric juice. If a person cannot smell the food he eats, the gastrointestinal tract will also suffer.

If viruses or harmful substances enter the body through the nose, a defensive reaction is provoked, for example, sneezing. If the receptors do not awaken a defensive reaction when the sense of smell is lost, then harmful substances will continue to freely penetrate deep into the body, causing even more damage.

Rhinitis in cats

A runny nose in cats is most often caused by a cold. Rhinitis can also be the result of an allergy - to dust, perfume, air freshener or other household chemicals. If rhinitis is not treated, it becomes chronic - then it is dangerous due to the growth of polyps and adenoids. How can you tell if a cat’s runny nose is due to an allergy? The discharge is watery, sneezing is frequent. If there is an infection, the discharge becomes colored, becomes viscous and has a specific odor.

With rhinitis, a cat's nose becomes red, especially the edges of the nostrils, wheezing is heard when breathing, and with infections - lacrimation and the formation of crusts under the eyes.