My Pet World: Dealing with dog who exhibits leash aggression
Dear Cathy,
I have a 3-year-old old male cat that has been inside since he was neutered in 2016. About a year ago, he started to sneeze occasionally. Gradually, he sneezed more often and rapidly. Sometimes 15 times in a row. He is healthy otherwise, at a good weight and eats well.
I did take him to the vet twice. He was given an antibiotic. It really didn't help, and he still sneezes on and off multiple times in a row. Sometimes, his sneeze is clear or with discharge. He also sometimes seems like his nose is stuffed up. He can go for a week and he's fine, but then it comes back. Blood work also was done, which came back normal. I feel so bad when he sneezes like that and I'm wondering if you or any of your readers have ever heard of this.
-- Janice, Eastport, New York
Dear Janice,
As with people, cats can be different in what they react to in their environment. Irritants and allergens may range from perfume, candles, cigarette smoke, dusty cat litter and whatever pollens might be in the air at the time. But the main reason cat's sneeze is an upper respiratory infection.
You should head back to the veterinarian, but this time, give your vet a little more to go on. Keep a journal of when your cat sneezes, where he is when he sneezes (in the kitchen, by a window), and what just occurred right before the sneezing. This may help your vet determine and/or rule out irritants/allergens.
My concern though, is that this sneezing started last year and has gotten worse, not better. If your vet did blood work, he or she probably ruled out several feline diseases, but if not then it's time to get those things ruled out. If your cat otherwise tests healthy, then your vet may recommend another round of antibiotics.
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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)
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