sneezes... never really stopped... your thoughts on why?

[gaogier]

Hey

So, I got my oldest 2 cats who are now 15 or are very soon... and they fitted in with their older brother - biologically. I noticed 2 issues - one was that one of them injured his leg, - it still hurts him every several months if he does some stupid things... and the other cat, well, he kept sneezing... took him to a vet (who has now closed down), who ran a load of tests, and found nothing wrong... was told he was just a sneezier.

Well, the last couple of months I have noticed that he is sneezing more often than normal, I don't know if that is down to the dryer weather we are having or what... His check- ups at new vets just say that he is healthy, and see you in 6 months or so... (a bit harder to be seen since covid) but as he doesn't seem to have any allergies or viruses causing this, I wanted to know, is this a normal thing? by normal I mean common enough for the vets to not worry about it all.

I am not going to take him to the vets again soon, just wondering if you heard of anything that can shed light on this?

I can't access any of the tests they did on him, this was a long time ago, probably 14 years ago... and I know if I take him to the new vets (as ours is extremely busy they can only take on emergency cases, (another reason why I don't want to take him to vets yet), I don't want them to see no history of any tests or results but want him to be retested for this.

I may have posted something like this before (here or somewhere else) and to be honest, my memory isn't great at the moment, and I am autistic so communication is hard, and sometimes - often in fact, I get confused on who had what test... when or why...

So, basically, all I want to know, is this something that just happens to some cats? He has been like this for... well near 15 years now.... so I am not worried too much... = why am I asking, he just sneezed on my dinner that took about 3 hours to cook... I am now eating what was leftovers... He tends to sneeze when he wants to smell something... aka food...

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi
Is the litter dusty?

 

[FeebysOwner]

If you don't have records, you don't have records, and the vet will just have to accept that. If this cat has seasonal allergies, they may become more exaggerated as he ages. If his sneezing involves discharge - and apparently based on what you just said about your dinner - it does, it all depends on whether or not it is cloudy. Cloudy or discolored could suggest an infection. Clear might point more toward some sort of nose irritation or allergy related reaction.

In addition to the dusty litter possibility, as mentioned above, it could be any sort of other environmental allergen - pollen, mold, dust, new cleaning products, just to name a few. I suppose it is possible that certain foods can trigger a sneezing reaction as well. I sneeze when eating certain foods, I originally thought it was related to grease, but have had it happen with foods that I don't think are really greasy. Nonetheless, all of these type things are worthy of paying attention to.

As cats age, just like humans, their immune systems weaken - so, you might consider some immune support supplements.

Re: your other cat and his leg injury and recurring issues - he probably has arthritis and could benefit from an arthritic supplement. Cosequin or Dasuquin seem to be the most common, but there are other options as well.

 

[jencat]

Not saying it's what is effecting your kitty, but cats who have had feline herpes virus in the past become lifelong carries. Some kitties will shed the virus at various times over the life and have symptoms. I know someone with a cat who is a carrier and his only symptom is sneezing. Environmental allergy might also be a possibility. Perhaps an air purifier might help?

 

[IndyJones]

Sneezing or rather coughing could indicate heart disease at that age.

 

[gaogier]

mostly there is nothing coming out from his nose, I know this as I tend to use either a paper plate or just regular A4 paper to protect my food, and about 15inches to 4 inches there is nothing on the paper.
I say mostly as when he has just had a drink, or just eaten he does… but it’s mostly from his mouth not his nose.
As I said before, he only does this when he wants to smell something, he has been awake for hours today, enjoying the sunshine but has not sneezed since I got up nearly 5 hours ago… to me, this rules out any illness in its self, including allergies… just would love to know why he sneezes… he does have a rotten tooth but vet isn’t concerned as it’s not bothering him at all… I think it’s just a dead tooth.
Regarding my other cat, how all of this happened was when he was about 3-4 months old I honestly can’t remember… could be a lot older… but he was walking along some garden furniture, and his back leg went through a hole (for the sun shade parasol) he panicked and pulled his leg, this according to our old vet he has a very slight tear in his muscle, and every so often it just feels like he has a muscle cramp/pulled I can feel the area that swells up when this issue flares but also when it doesn’t. It feels like a lump or tumour in his leg and just have to explain to any vet who sees him that this is a known issue he has had almost his whole life. No investigation is required… although was made to feel like a bad owner over this many times as there is no record of all the tests they did for both my boys. I get treated as if I haven’t had them checked and tested when they were young for any protectional problems.

 

[Furballsmom]

he does have a rotten tooth but vet isn’t concerned as it’s not bothering him at all…

I would get a second opinion from a different clinic about this.

I assume you've tried to obtain the records from when they were young?

This article starts with catnip but progresses into a broader discussion of sneezing;

The Great Catnip Debate: Is it Behind Your Cat's Sneezing Spree? - Meowhoo.com

 

[gaogier]

Yeah I have tried to get the records of all 5 of my cats who went there… one is French (my step mum moved to France, died of cancer and we took in her obese cat) but he died several years ago, and 2 of my other cats died in 2021, so just having 2 cats left, but the main vet moved back to France (why we chose him) and took all his records with him, problem 1, finding him, problem 2, he is French…

with my cats tooth, my cat had problems last year and had his tooth removed, same vet saw my other cat who said it’s not really a problem for him to keep it in. This vet is a cat dental specialist, I am unsure now thinking about it, as I may of mixed what was said as both cats visited him at same time… but either way he was happy with him keeping his tooth… with my other cat to have his tooth removed cost £1500ish so I am sure if he wanted he would of removed it. I did not pay anywhere near that amount… I think I was out of pocket by some £20 something like that.

 

[Alldara]

I found it most helpful (coming from one autistic person to another), to keep a journal for each cat. Just something like this: Hilroy Interlined Exercise Book, 32 Pages

and I keep that in a duatang with my vet receipts as each will contain a breakdown of tests and medicine.

I had 10 rats and two cats at one time and it was the only way to keep the records separate.

I can also include notes when I feel my cat is unwell with answers to questions the vet may ask like, "how is their eating?"

sometimes a friend has come as a support person with me to the vet and takes notes and sometimes I take notes or my partner takes notes.

When I've had to change vets, it's been helpful because I already have most of the records even if the vet closed or something and can't send them to my vet.

 

[Alldara]

For the senior cat, it's likely that it should get senior bloodwork and a urinalysis. That's normal for all.

Wellness Testing for Senior Cats | VCA Canada Animal Hospitals.

This is a very through explanation of why your cat could sneeze, what tests the vet might want to rub and how the vet may diagnose. This might help you prepare for what questions the vet might ask.
Cat Sneezing: Why Cats Sneeze and What to Do | PetMD