My Pet World: Check with veterinarian about cat's sneezing
NASHVILLE, TN -- These reader questions were answered at the American Animal Hospital Association Conference 2014 here, March 20-23. AAHA is the only organization which accredits veterinary practices for excellence in veterinary standards. There are over 50,000 AAHA veterinary care providers. AAHA also oversees the creation and writing of many veterinary care guidelines. The AAHA website offers lots of credible information for pet owners: www.aaha.org.
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Q: My 12-year-old cat sneezes at least six or seven times a day, usually more. Is this normal for an older cat? -- D.R., Sun City, FL
A: If your cat has sneezed like this forever, it's normal for your pet, who could have a chronic upper respiratory virus, which comes and goes.
"However, if this persistent sneezing is new, definitely do see your veterinarian," says American Animal Hospital Association Board Member Dr. Heather Loenser, of Lebanon, N.J. "Is the cat snotty? Report to your veterinarian whether or not a discharge is coming only from one nostril or both sides, which may actually be important information," she adds.
Loenser also wants to know if your cat is really sneezing (as opposed to coughing), and, if so, what that looks like. Use a smart phone or camera to videotape your kitty so you can show your veterinarian what's going on. The cat is unlikely to sneeze on cue during an office visit.
There could be an obstruction up your cat's nose. Veterinarians have found sticks, small pencils and other objects. A nasal tumor is another possibility.
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Q: Our 15-year-old, now blind and deaf pug is a wonderful pet, but something has changed. Our dog had always spent the night in his cage next to our bed. When we went on a vacation, my daughter cared for Buster. Her schedule was different from ours because she attended school during the day. Around that time, Buster developed the habit of having a bowel movement in his cage about 5 a.m.
I take Buster out around 10:30 at night, and that's when he previously had his major bowel movement. How do I get him back to his old ways? -- N.C., Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada
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