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stuffy nose on my persian

14:22:35

Question
Tiffany
Tiffany  
QUESTION: My cat Tiffany is 12 yrs old and has a black discharge coming out of her nose and mouth. She is having a had time breathing. I washed her face to help clean it away but she is still sniffling and squinting her eyes. I took her in for this in her mouth last year and the doctor said it was and allergy. Cant afford the Doctor this time. Is there anything else I can do to get her through this right now. peppermint oil, Vicks? I don't want to hurt her just help her get better.

ANSWER: Sandi,

Allergies are such a pain. With the very changeable weather patterns we have had, I am afraid, allergens are worse than ever.

Remember, I am not a vet, but one thing which may help is to purchase saline nose spray for infants and use that on your cat (you will have to experiment with frequency). It is inexpensive and not medicated, so you are not plying your cat with any drugs.  Did your vet give you a prescription for any antihistamines or decongestants? Were they helpful?  If so, a phone call to your vet may result in them renewing the prescription without an office visit.

In more extreme cases a nebulizer or vaporizer may help. One problem you may have is that allergy symptoms will mask the symptoms of upper respiratory problems, so you must be vigilant and assume that it is always allergies.  IF the cat is not off her food, it probably is not a viral infection.

Please let me know what happens.

Best regards... Norm.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I did take her in on Saturday. My Vet gave her a allergy shot and she is much better. I do have a question on the saline. I'm I to put this in her nose? I mean spray it in her nose? I don't want to drowned her. Any helpful hints on this.

Answer
Sandi,

I am glad you had her looked at and got the shot. The saline is a fine mist of a spry and comes in a squeezable bottle. One squeeze in each nostril, when she is stuffed up should suffice. No, that won't be enough to drown her.  I think if you buy a bottle and give it a squeeze, you will see what I mean.

I hope she is feeling better.

Best regards... Norm.