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Chronic Rhinitis in Cats (the chronic snuffler cat)

The chronic snuffler cat

Chronic rhinitis is a term that means chronic (over 30 days is deemed chronic) inflammation of the nose.The main causes of chronic nasal discharge in cats are viral, bacterial or fungal infections, cancer and also inflammatory disease.

Chronic rhinitis is a term that is often used to describe cats with long (many years) intermittent nasal discharge and sneezing.

This is suspected to occur when cats have had previous infections with cat flu (e.g. herpes virus) that causes damage to the delicate tissues inside the nose.

The nasal cavity has a very complex immune system, and this damage affects the immune defences of the nose, causing ongoing and intermittent infections with bacteria.

Over time bacterial infections penetrate deep into the bones of the nose and also the sinuses, making it very difficult to clear infections.

In order to diagnose cats with chronic rhinitis, we need to exclude all other causes of nasal signs in cats.

Chronic rhinitis in cats

Unfortunately, there is no one treatment that works perfectly for all cats with chronic rhinitis. The disease can be managed but rarely cured. Every cat will require treatment tailored specifically to them.

Treatment can include the use of broad spectrum antibiotics and long courses (6-8 weeks) maybe needed. Continuous or pulse antibiotic therapy maybe required. Using antibiotics carefully is very important however to try and reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance so this should always be discussed with your vet.

A helpful treatment for most cats involves using saline nebulisation or steam inhalation for 10-15 minutes two to three times daily. Alternatively. Instilation of 1-2 drops of saline in each nostril daily can also help to break up nasal secretions and encourage productive sneezing.

Nebulisation units can be purchased from a chemist and can be very
helpful. Portable nebulisers are a particularly good, quiet unit.

Intermittent nasal cavity flushing under anaesthesia can help to remove thick secretions and many cats will have a significant period of reduced symptoms after this procedure.

Topical glucocorticoids (inhaled or drops) maybe appropriate if biopsies show lymphoplasmacytic inflammation however steroids can exacerbate viral infection or cause recurrence of previous infections so they need to be used carefully. Feline recombinant interferon therapy use remains controversial.

Famciclovir is an oral antiviral medication that has shown promise against feline herpes virus and can be trialled in some cats.

For cats with severe infections (e.g. Pseudomonas) we can perform a small surgical procedure to open the sinus, remove as much infected material as possible and instil an antibiotic gel that will slowly release the antibiotic directly into the frontal sinus and nasal cavity.

So as you can see, there are numerous therapies available, which typically means, that there is not one “cocktail” that will work for every patient. It is a case of tailoring treatment to the individual.

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.

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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.

1300 228 377
1-15 Lexington Rd,
Underwood, QLD, AU, 4119
Monday-Friday: 8 am-6 pm
Saturday/Sunday - Closed

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