My cat has a stuffy nose. How do vets test for respiratory infections?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Flojo. A simple upper respiratory tract infection can sometimes be diagnosed by a physical exam and the patient's history. In more complicated cases, blood work and x-rays of the chest are used. Swabs can also be collected from the nose and throat for laboratory work analysis. Other times, the patient is anesthetized and fluid samples are collected from the lungs. There are a variety of diagnostic testing options depending on the case specifics. I hope this information helps!

Chronic upper respiratory issues in cats can be frustrating. At this point Jaxson may need further diagnostic testing. Your vet may consider a sedated exam to look for nasal pharyngeal polyps or a foreign body. If there is an infectious component blood tests may be used to try to find out what the cause is. If no answer is found referral for imaging such as a CT scan may be able to determine if there is a mass or foreign body in his nasal passages.

This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or eventually to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Sorry to hear Smoky isn't acting normally. If your current veterinarian hasn't performed diagnostics to back up his statements, I would consider taking him elsewhere in order to do a little more investigation since there have been persistent clinical signs. Abnormal breathing and increased nasal discharge could be an indicator of an upper respiratory infection, feline asthma, cardiopulmonary/cardiovascular disease, or a primary respiratory condition. X-rays of the chest would be the first and foremost diagnostic test to perform in order to rule some of these in/out. There are medical therapies as well that can be attempted instead of diagnostics, but if you would like to get down to the crux of the issue, the diagnostics would be preferable. Hope this makes sense.

Hi and thanks for posting! Common signs of an upper respiratory infection in cats may be sneezing, coughing, labored breathing or increased respiratory effort, nasal discharge, and ocular discharge. While having a dry nose may not necessarily mean anything significant, the nose being warmer than usual may indicate an elevated body temperature or fever. If Puma continues to have a very warm nose or is also experiencing other changes such as decreased appetite, lethargy, or is experiencing any of the above signs of an upper respiratory infection I indicated, you may want to take Puma into see his veterinarian for an exam and evaluation.

Respiratory infections in cats are commonly viral, which means that they have to run their course. Antibiotics can help prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections, but they do not do anything to help with the virus. Supportive care is needed during these times to help Chesney feel better. Consider taking her into a steamy bathroom a few times a day for humidification. Suction her nostrils with a baby bulb syringe if they are really stuffed up. If she isn't eating well consider warming up her food so that she can smell it a little bit easier. Sometimes cats need subcutaneous fluids or IV fluids from the veterinarian to stay well hydrated the first several days of an upper respiratory infection. You may want to consider taking her temperature. Normal for a cat is 100-102. If she is 103 or higher I would encourage you to call your veterinarian to discuss medictions to help with the fever. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear that Mini is having a runny nose. It is possible that she is suffering from an upper respiratory infection that may be viral and/or bacterial in origin. If you believe that she is not having difficulty breathing (ie, has a respiratory rate of less than 40 at rest and is not using her belly to help her breathe), she is eating normally, drinking, urinating and defecating normally, and has a normal energy level, you may be able to monitor her at home. Sometimes, keeping her in the bathroom while you run a hot shower can help clear her sinuses. If you notice any purulent (yellow, thick, foul-smelling) discharge from either her eyes or nose, I recommend having her seen by a veterinarian to be examined and treated. I hope this is helpful!