Rusty and his ongoing chronic rhinitis journey

Rusty

Patient details

Name: Rusty
Age: 12 years
Breed: Persian
Gender: Male

Lifelong nasal issues, including persistent discharge and breathing noise, have been a bit of a thorn in Rusty’s side. These are likely linked to both his brachycephalic conformation and chronic rhinitis. He has been a long-term patient at CSS and continues to receive individualised care to manage his ongoing nasal disease.

Patient history

Early signs

Signs of trouble with Rusty’s nasal passages have been present for most of his life, with episodes of nasal discharge, stertor and sneezing. Given his breed and the chronic nature of these signs, we considered structural factors alongside inflammatory and infectious causes. Past swabs had identified multiple organisms, including Mycoplasma felis and E. coli.

Diagnosis and treatment

Over several visits, Rusty underwent a combination of diagnostic investigations and interventions, including CT imaging, nasal flushes, deep swabbing and culture-guided antimicrobial therapy. Supportive care has included nebulisation, anti-inflammatories and mucolytics. Because Rusty’s response has varied over time, we’ve had to make adjustments to his care as his needs change.

Outcome

Rusty remains stable with intermittent treatment and monitoring. The focus of his ongoing management is comfort and quality of life, with therapies adjusted as needed. He’s a delightful patient and takes his hospital visits in stride. After so many visits over the years, it’s no surprise that he’s well-loved at CSS.

Are you worried about your cat’s health?

If you are concerned about your cat, please reach out to our friendly team. Call us on 1300 228 377 or fill out the contact form below. In an emergency, please contact your local vet.

For vets – to refer a patient or book a telehealth consultation, please call us on 1300 228 377, book through the portal or fill in the form.

Patient Stories

Our commitment to feline health is best seen in the stories of the cats we’ve had the privilege of treating. These journeys highlight the dedication, expertise and compassion that drive us.

Each patient faced unique challenges, and it was our honour to offer high-quality care and help them regain strength and happiness. We value the deep bonds with cats and their owners, knowing the difference we make in their lives.

Kitty, a lymphoma survivor

We first met Kitty after she was referred to CSS for the evaluation of a large intestinal mass

Poppi finds her feet again

Following surgery to remove a hairball obstruction, Poppi was referred to us at CSS as she had not bounced back as expected

Rusty and his ongoing chronic rhinitis journey

Lifelong nasal issues, including persistent discharge and breathing noise, have been a bit of a thorn in Rusty’s side.

Lando’s long game with cryptococcus

Lando was referred to CSS because he had a swelling under his jaw that wouldn’t go away.

Popeye coughs up the culprit

Ares is a handsome young Maine Coon who was referred to CSS after presenting at AES with sudden lameness in his back leg.

Contacting Us

Pet Owners
If you would like to talk about treatment for your cat, call us on 1300 228 377 or fill in the form.
In an emergency, please contact your local vet.

Vets and Nurses
To refer a patient or book a telehealth consultation please call us on 1300 228 377, book through the portal or fill in the form. For advice calls, please see the guidelines here.

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Saturday/Sunday - Closed

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