Upper Respiratory Tract Problems such as Sneezing in Cats and Dogs

Have you heard your cat or dog sneezing lately? There are generally two reasons behind sneezing, whether you’re talking about pets or people; either the membranes of the nose are inflamed or a foreign object (such as dust or a small piece of grass) may become lodged in the nostrils of the nose and is causing irritation. While a foreign object lodged in the nose will naturally work itself out in most cases, there may be times when a veterinarian needs to intervene. The membranes of the nose can become inflamed or irritated for many other reasons, such if your dog or cat was exposed to a chemical irritant or has contracted a respiratory tract infection.

At Laguna Beach Veterinary Hospital, many of cats or dogs that come in to see our vets because they have been sneezing have actually contracted an upper respiratory tract infection. This is similar in many ways to a cold among humans. In some cases, the only signs of the infection are sniffling and/or sneezing. While healthy adult pets in their prime are least likely to develop infections, younger or older pets can be more at risk to develop respiratory tract infections. This may be because the immune system of young pets is still developing, while older pets may be more susceptible to infection due to age-related changes in the nasal membranes.

Symptoms of sneezing in dogs or cats can sometimes (though not always) be caused by an airborne bacteria or virus.

Infections that May Cause Sneezing in Dogs

Among dogs, two of the most common types of upper respiratory viruses are known as the Parainfluenza virus and Type-2 Adenovirus. Both viruses are highly contagious and can be passed through sneezing and by having contact with other sick dogs. Some dogs can carry an infection silently and experience no symptoms, which means they are still contagious and can spread the infection to other dogs even though they appear healthy. When sneezing pets are brought in to our animal hospital to see the veterinarian, we often find out that they were recently exposed within the last two weeks to other dogs, whether it was through through boarding, grooming or at a dog park. Dogs that have recently spent time in an animal shelters are also much more likely to contract respiratory infections due to their proximity with other dogs in the shelter.

Bacterial infections are another common cause of sneezing in dogs. Dogs are susceptible to bacteria-based upper respiratory tract infections such as Pasteurella, Bordetella, Streptococci and pseudomonad bacteria. Many of these types of bacteria can also cause similar respiratory symptoms among humans. Bordatella and Adeno-2 are two of the main causes of kennel cough.

Infections that Cause Sneezing in Cats

Among cats, sneezing is often caused by one of two viruses; the rhinotracheitis virus (Herpes-1) and Calicivirus. Sneezing is a common symptom of a cat suffering from one of these two viruses, but other signs of infection include conjunctivitis (swelling around eyes or eyelids) and a low-grade fever. As with dogs, many apparently healthy cats can be the silent host of these viruses and unintentionally spread them to other animals. The rhinotracheitis virus is a major cause of sneezing among cats and can be serious if left untreated though is generally not life-threatening. After a cat is exposed to the rhinotracheitis virus, there is an incubation period of about 2-6 days. Unfortunately, many cats which harbor this virus are infected for life, much like the cold sore virus among people. As with cold sores, high levels of stress can cause a reoccurrence of symptoms for these cats as well as causes them to be more contagious. These aspects of the virus can make it tough to control in catteries and animal shelters where pets are highly stressed and live in close proximity to many other cats.

After the rhinotracheitis virus, the next two most common origins of sneezing in cats are the organisms Chlamydia psittaci and mycoplasma. Usually sneezing begins 5-10 days after exposure and both of these organisms can cause nasal irritation and discharge.

Bacterial infections are another common cause of sneezing in cats. Cats are susceptible to bacteria-based upper respiratory tract infections such as Pasteurella, Bordetella, Streptococci and pseudomonad bacteria. Many of these types of bacteria can also cause similar respiratory symptoms among humans. Bordatella and Adeno-2 are two of the main causes of kennel cough.

Noninfectious Causes of Sneezing:

Household or Cleaning Products
The same sorts of household or cleaning products which can cause people to sneeze also can sometimes cause your pet to sneeze. The most common household cause for sneezing in cats is dusty cat litter. Other nose irritants include fragrances, cigarette or other smoke, household cleaners, fiberglass, bug spray and hairspray. If your dog or cat has recently started sneezing, it may be a good idea to think about whether any new household products have been introduced into your home around the onset of the sneezing symptoms.

Allergies
Itching is one of the most common symptoms of allergies in cats or dogs, but some pets will experience sneezing or sniffling due to pollens and mold in the air.

Foreign Bodies in the Nose
Most pets are constantly sticking their noses in everything. Sometimes a pet will poke their nose into a grassy or dusty area and end up getting a small piece of grass or dirt lodged in their nostril. Most pets will sneeze until these objects are dislodged naturally, but sometimes a stubborn or large foreign body must be physically removed by a veterinarian. If your pet has a foreign body in their nose and has been sneezing, you may notice nasal discharge from only one nostril (the one which contains the foreign body).

Tumors and Polyps
As a pet gets older, it becomes more likely that they will suffer from nasal polyps, tumors and degenerative changes in their nasal passages or airways. As with foreign objects, the problem is usually confined to one nostril.

Tooth Abscesses
With both dogs and cats, some of the teeth have roots which penetrate close to the nasal passages. When these teeth become infected in your pet’s mouth, one of the most common symptoms is sneezing and nasal drainage.

Breed Characteristics
Certain breeds of dogs or cats have flattened faces with compressed nasal passages. These physical characteristics can make cats or dogs more susceptible to respiratory complaints such as sneezing. For example, Persian cats and other cats with a flat face are more likely to experience sneezing due to infection or irritating products. Any of the dog breeds that snore share this problem, such as Pekingese, pugs, bulldogs, Lhasa Apsos, and Shia Tzus.

Treatment:

Many upper respiratory tract infections can be prevented in dogs and cats by ensuring your pet gets yearly vaccinations against the organism or infectious disease involved.
One of the best ways to tell if a sneezing problem is minor or more major is to take the pet’s temperature with a rectal thermometer. The “normal” temperature of a cat or dog is around 102.5F. If the temperature is over 103.5, it might be an indication that there is a problem. In that case, you should contact your veterinarian right away as your pet may need to be prescribed antibiotics or some other treatment. If your pet has been sneezing for longer than a few days, and you’ve already determined that their sneezing isn’t being caused by some sort of household product, it’s always the best idea to call your veterinarian for advice.

At Laguna Beach Animal Hospital, we are dedicated to providing excellent veterinary care for your pets. We offer same-day appointments as well as emergency vet services to better suit your needs. In addition to Laguna Beach, we also commonly see pet owners from Newport Coast, Corona Del Mar, and Aliso Veijo.

Laguna Beach Animal Hospital is a full service animal hospital conveniently located in Laguna Beach on Forest Avenue. Please call us today at 949-494-9721 to make an appointment or Request an Appointment online!