Cat Sneezing And Congested-- Allergies?

profcat

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My beloved 13 year old cat (the one in my profile pic!) has been sneezing on and off for the last few months. No discharge (just a little clear mucus from her nose sometimes) and no other symptoms-- appetite etc. is all great. We had her in for her 6 month senior physical in February and mentioned the sneezing to the vet. The vet said to watch for colored discharge, and she'd give her an antibiotic if that happened. Otherwise, she suspected allergies. Bloodwork and physical exam were fine then.

The sneezing cleared up for most of March, but has come back. She sneezes a few times a day, and sounds congested when she does. Still only a tiny bit of clear discharge. Otherwise, she is still eating well and acting healthy. We are thinking allergies (the pollen here is ridiculous), and will bring her back to the vet this week for a check up.

Does anyone have a cat with allergies? Do they do steroid shots? She's been so helathy all these years, I hope it's not a sign of anything more serious!
 

FeebysOwner

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Feeby (14+ yo) has seasonal allergies - but not with sneezing. She scratches the area above her eyes to the point they are somewhat bald and irritated - and then scab over as they heal and the allergy dissipates. It has happened during the spring - and again, occasionally in the fall - for a number of years now. I don't have it treated since it is only once, maybe twice, a year.

If your cat goes outside at all, you may want to stop her from doing so - at least during allergy season - which might help to reduce or eliminate the sneezing.

I know I have seen posts from other members on this site who have cats they have put on meds such as antihistamines to help with what is believed to allergies. Hopefully, some of them will have time to log on, read your post, and respond with some information for you in the near future!

I hope it is nothing more than seasonal allergies, and maybe the vet can treat it to help alleviate the sneezing!!
 
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profcat

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Feeby (14+ yo) has seasonal allergies - but not with sneezing. She scratches the area above her eyes to the point they are somewhat bald and irritated - and then scab over as they heal and the allergy dissipates. It has happened during the spring - and again, occasionally in the fall - for a number of years now. I don't have it treated since it is only once, maybe twice, a year.

If your cat goes outside at all, you may want to stop her from doing so - at least during allergy season - which might help to reduce or eliminate the sneezing.

I know I have seen posts from other members on this site who have cats they have put on meds such as antihistamines to help with what is believed to allergies. Hopefully, some of them will have time to log on, read your post, and respond with some information for you in the near future!

I hope it is nothing more than seasonal allergies, and maybe the vet can treat it to help alleviate the sneezing!!
She doesn't go out (none of our cats do) but we do generally have windows open as soon as the weather is warm enough. I did read a bit on here about cats with allergies. She doesn't have any itching or rashes, just sneezy and some nasal congestion.
 

Furballsmom

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Hi! Just an additional thought, is your litter dusty? Whether or not it's a cause, it might help if you were to switch to a lower dust litter.
When she gets congested, you could also try having her in a bathroom with a steamy shower about 10-12 minutes a couple times a day. The warm humid air can help ease her airways :)
 
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profcat

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We've been using the same litter forever (Blue Buffalo walnut litter). It's a little dusty, but not bad. I mean, she could've developed an allergy to ANYTHING even at this point in her life. I first got seasonal allergies at 42! We'll take her to the vet this week and see what she says.

Of course, since she's my favorite soul-cat, I worry it's something worse. But it's probably something simple like allergies.
 
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profcat

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We saw the vet and the vet thinks allergies. Tree pollen is out of control here! She got a 30-day steroid shot and that seemed to help the sneezing. But now, a week later, she’s sneezing a little more and still sounding congested. Her appetites been great but tonight she didn’t eat and she sounds all stuffed up. Maybe she can’t smell and that’s impacting her appetite. If she doesn’t eat tomorrow then I’ll take her in again. I read that the steroid shot just helps the itching/inflammation, but an allergy shot would be necessary. And since the tree pollen is insane here, she might need one!

Does anyone with a cat with allergies give them Benadryl?
 

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profcat

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Hi!
If you're not familiar with this, you could put him in a bathroom with a steamy shower for 10-12 minutes a couple times a day. The warm steam will help ease his airways.

The first thread might be interesting, and the second and third posts mention Benadryl and cats

Alternative To Steroids?

Help! My Cat Is Itching His Ears To Death!

Foaming
Thanks!

She actually doesn’t have any itching or rashes, just a stuffy nose and sneezing.

Of course I’m worried about horrible things like cancerous polyps or lung tumors, but she just had a vet check up in February and was at the vet again last week. Both times vet listened to her lungs and checked out her nose and ears. I know it’s just allergies but I’m a worrier!!
 

stephanietx

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I have 3 kitties with allergies. This year has been absolutely horrible for allergies. (I'm in Texas) I give my kitties 1/4 to 1/2 of a plain Claritin (loratidine) tablet once daily. I crush it and mix in their wet food. It works well for them.
 
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profcat

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The vet soothed my fears that it's just allergies, and she's on claritin now for them. The vet said if it was a polyp, it would be more one-sided (1 nostril) and likely not clear liquid. She's still a bit sneezy (vet only likes to give cats 1/4 and she's small) but at least I'm not worried it's something else.

Who knew that a cat can first develop allergies when they're 13! I hope this pollen calms down soon!
 
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