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- Aug 24, 2018
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I've been dealing with this sinus problem since August of 2021, cat has been seen by 2 different vets and still no correct diagnosis. My question is: has anyone had experience with a foreign body in their cats nose, and how was it treated? And, would a skull x-ray be of any help? Below is a basic history of the problem.
Sushi is a 13-year-old female, with no health problems up until now. She is mostly indoor, but does occasionally go outside. In August of 2021, after coming in from outside, she began blowing her nose repeatedly, as if trying to dislodge something and blow it out. After approximately a week, I became concerned that she had either a foxtail or a burr stuck in her nose and took her in to see the vet. The diagnosis was URTI, based on "sneezing and watery eyes." After 30 years in cat rescue, I'm fairly well-versed in upper respiratory symptoms, and was almost certain this diagnosis was not correct. She wasn't "sneezing," she was blowing her nose. We had been sitting outside in partial sun while waiting to be seen, and her eyes began watering. She has never had watery eyes, and does not have watery eyes at home, or at any time other than this visit to the vet, so it's fairly certain this was likely a response to the sun in her eyes. I took her home and waited.
The nose blowing persisted. I called every vet office in the county, but none of the offices had a nasal scope. We live in a remote area of northern California where services are limited, advanced services are non-existent, and going out of area is a 200-mile+ drive. In May of 2022, she had been out on the patio and came in gagging, so off to the vet again (different one) for a piece of grass stuck in her throat. We again waited outside until intake, and coincidentally, her eyes again began to water. During that exam (for which she was sedated), I expressed my concern about something in her nose and the doctor suggested a nasal flush. After the flush, the blowing seemed to lessen, but soon increased again. Last Friday, Sushi had an actual nose bleed with bright red blood, and another one on Tuesday of this week, also with bright red blood. Other than the blood, there has been no nasal discharge.
The few possibilities I can think of might be foreign body lodged in her nose, allergy, tumor? I'm frankly terrified at the thought of a foxtail stuck in her nose!!!
Thanks for any information you can share.
Cheryl & Sushi
Sushi is a 13-year-old female, with no health problems up until now. She is mostly indoor, but does occasionally go outside. In August of 2021, after coming in from outside, she began blowing her nose repeatedly, as if trying to dislodge something and blow it out. After approximately a week, I became concerned that she had either a foxtail or a burr stuck in her nose and took her in to see the vet. The diagnosis was URTI, based on "sneezing and watery eyes." After 30 years in cat rescue, I'm fairly well-versed in upper respiratory symptoms, and was almost certain this diagnosis was not correct. She wasn't "sneezing," she was blowing her nose. We had been sitting outside in partial sun while waiting to be seen, and her eyes began watering. She has never had watery eyes, and does not have watery eyes at home, or at any time other than this visit to the vet, so it's fairly certain this was likely a response to the sun in her eyes. I took her home and waited.
The nose blowing persisted. I called every vet office in the county, but none of the offices had a nasal scope. We live in a remote area of northern California where services are limited, advanced services are non-existent, and going out of area is a 200-mile+ drive. In May of 2022, she had been out on the patio and came in gagging, so off to the vet again (different one) for a piece of grass stuck in her throat. We again waited outside until intake, and coincidentally, her eyes again began to water. During that exam (for which she was sedated), I expressed my concern about something in her nose and the doctor suggested a nasal flush. After the flush, the blowing seemed to lessen, but soon increased again. Last Friday, Sushi had an actual nose bleed with bright red blood, and another one on Tuesday of this week, also with bright red blood. Other than the blood, there has been no nasal discharge.
The few possibilities I can think of might be foreign body lodged in her nose, allergy, tumor? I'm frankly terrified at the thought of a foxtail stuck in her nose!!!
Thanks for any information you can share.
Cheryl & Sushi