Is my cat OK if he has a dry and warm nose?

Cat Sneezing with a runny, sometimes stuffy nose

• My cat Sophie is about 4 years old and has a history of what appears to be "catching colds", although i suspect it is more serious than that (feline herpes?). Most of the time, the vet doesn't find any indication of an upper respiratory infection (if i remember correctly, she's never presented with a low-grade fever), but we put her on an antibiotic as a precautionary. These outbreaks happen about twice a year. She seems to recover after a couple of weeks. Last time she had it was December 2003, and it was quite bad. she was so stuffed up I had to give her a decongestant ("little noses" nose drops). Again, it resolved after a week or two. I don't think the antibiotics help since there isn't any infection, so i think it's viral. During these bouts, she loses her appetite (probably because she can't smell the food) and it not as frisky as usual. As i said, she seemingly recovered from the last bout in december, but sometime in late January she started in again with symptoms. Realizing that antibiotics aren't the answer (and if i keep giving them to her, she will develop immunity, right?), i decided to wait and see if she would recover on her own. This time isn't as bad as the last, but everyday she sneezes and has runny nose. Her activity level is fine, and only in the past few days have a noticed a decrease in appetite. Bottom line - it's been about a month, and the symptoms continue to persist. Ok - so the vet has discussed Feline Herpes with me, but I am skeptical because she never has any eye symptoms - no conjunctivitis, etc. She only does the sneezing and running nose. However, I adopted her from an animal shelter, and interestingly when I got her she was being treated with antibiotics and eye drops for a supposed upper respiratory and eye infection. That was the only time she had an eye problem. Her Felv/FIV test results were negative. I don't know what to do. I'm not sure if i should spend the money to have her officially tested for feline herpes unless it's absolutely necessary (and i was told it's a very expensive test). At the same time, I can't stand to see her like this. It's weird, because unlike the last time when she appeared very sick, this time she is acting fine, but the sneezing and runny nose is pretty consistent each day (and seems to be getting worse these past couple of days). Oh, one other weird symtoms that happens - I've heard it's called "reverse sneezing" (she's doing it right now) - sounds like she's sneezing and inhaling at the same time. just great. Any ideas? If she does have feline herpes, what can i do to help with her symptoms? I am also planning on getting another cat in the next few months. Is sophie contagious? Could this be allergies?

• Answer:

  Hi robin66, Please read the disclaimer at the bottom of this page. I am not a veterinarian and I can only provide you with links towards information that might be helpful. In my opinion I'd go forward with the herpes testing if it's been advised - but only after getting a second opinion from a different vet you have found independent from your current vet. I am sorry for Sophie and being an animal lover I know how much you want to have an answer. Her problems might be simply allergic reactions to anything from carpet fresheners to her food. Allergies can come and go if they're seasonal, and sneezing can be the primary symptom. Because you obtained her from the pound, and don't have any history on her - it could possibly be something she picked up there. I don't know and would never presume to give you an answer. Before you bring in another cat - I would advise you find out what's wrong with Dear Sophie **first**, due to contagions that might infect your newest member of the family. With that said, I am providing you with several links to websites devoted to feline sneezing and what might be the cause and how to treat the problem. All about reverse sneezing (the backwards sneeze) will be the last link provided for you. Cat Sneezing: http://mirabye.com/teh/1/cat-sneezing.html =============================================================================== Feline Herpes http://www.eattheapple.com/felineherpes.htm =============================================================================== Why is My Kitty Sneezing? http://www.doc4pets.com/Sneezing.htm =============================================================================== Practical Pet Care http://www.practical-pet-care.com/cat_question.php?ID=1.2003020409365185 Click on the links after Subject =============================================================================== Just Feline Health Links (Informative Health Information) http://www.thensome.com/cats.htm =============================================================================== Health Perspecives You'll need Adobe Acrobat to view this site. http://www.barleans.com/literature/misc/113-natural-pet-doctor.pdf (If you don't wish to install that you can view the page at the following link) Health Perspectives http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:mntqFNIEhR0J:www.barleans.com/literature/misc/113-natural-pet-doctor.pdf+reverse+sneezing+felines&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 =============================================================================== Sneezing in Cats http://www.vetinfo.com/csneeze.html Click on the following link words: Sneezing in Cats Sneezings Sneezing Frequent sneezing also see Feline Leukemia also see Herpes also see Respiratory problems =============================================================================== FELINE HERPESVIRUS INFECTIONS http://home.flash.net/~anmleyz/herpes.htm =============================================================================== Reverse Sneezing - applies to dogs and cats: http://www.allcreaturesonline.com/showpracfaq.cfm?FAQID=41&Private=0 Google search: cat sneezing + cause feline sneezing feline herpes feline allergies cat allergies animal reverse sneezing cause I do wish you the best of luck with your Dear Sophie... Best regards, tlspiegel