What can I do about my cat's sneezing and allergies?

Question

She is 3 years 8 mons. old. We took her to the vet last year for sneezing and stuffy nose and they gave her ammoxicilin. They temporarily went away. This year they weren't just seasonal, she got them in spring and still has them now in fall. We took her to the vet again. This time they gave her a shot of penicillin and ammoxicilin. It didn't work again. They told us if it doesn't work, there was nothing we could do. I want to know if they make Claritin or something for cats?

Answer 1

While it's possible that your cat may have allergies, another common ailment is a return of a juvenile infection that many cats are exposed to. This ailment (a viral infection) sometimes causes watery eyes and runny noses. It may also return from time to time. The time table in your cat could be either viral or allergic in nature. For allergies, we usually start with benadryl and eventually to steroids and then hyposensitivity shots. However allergies should be considered after other possible causes are ruled out. Please ask your Vet if they have heard of Tamiflu or Oseltamivir phosphate..when a kitty is beginning to show signs of sinus irritation, this drug can work wonders!

Cats may also have asthma which can gradually impair breathing. In any case, your Veterinarian is correct in my opinion to treat a runny nose with anti-biotics at first, even if it's a recurrent or mild problem. Bacteria can rear their ugly, microscopic little heads in any hot and wet space, including an irritated sinus.

Yes, cats have been shown to be allergic to dust and pollen and many of the same allergens as humans depending on the region. There are many medications which can be tried in cats for allergies...some have side effects but you need to make that decision based on all the information. Now, on the internet it's hard to know what exactly the case is. If you came to my hospital after your third bout of sneezing, if I thought it was truly allergies, I might refer you to a specialist. Ask your Vet for that option. Why not? You have nothing to lose!

There are holistic choices including modifying your cats environment with a humidifier, a hepa-filter, and regulating a temperature in your home between 68-78 degrees. Much cooler can dry out a cat's sinus.

Not every Veterinarian has all the answers. Neither does any human physician have all the answers. However, I have found there is always something you can do to help a pet. Trying the same thing over and over with no results requires a change in thinking. That's for the pet owner and the Veterinarian to talk about. I actually prefer when clients tell me what treatments did not offer any relief.

Please try a second opinion with a new vet if you are unsatisfied. I sure hope your kitty feels better soon.

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Many of the contributors are from specialty colleges!

Answer 2

Cat Sneezing Allergies

Answer 3

..an actual DOCTOR that uses what is called sublingual allergy drops. Now they will do the testing and it will not be cheap. The allergy test is a seried of shots with a TINY needle, but the newer test kits come with plastic spline picks that don't even penetrate the skin. There will be a series of 100 or so allergins applied to the skin. The doctor will take the results and give you specific drops with instructions for use. That will work. The FDA has not approved them yet as the big drug companies can buy their way into marketing drugs like claritan. The sublingual drops are hystamines and will allow your body to build up immunity within a year or two rather than 10-12 yrs. Claritan just bl

Answer 4

I have the same problem with my cat, she coughs and wheezes and sneezes. They can do allergy testing to find out what the cat is allergic to but that is VERY expensive. My cat first started out getting a depo shot, its a steroid shot that was inexpensive (about $20) every 3-4 months and sometimes it lasted more than 4 months. We did this for a few years, then we saw that she got more relief with daily doses of prednisone. She gets its once a day. Unfortunately, long term use of steroids causes diabetes so that is something to be careful of. But I have really noticed a decrease in her couging and wheezing. I would be very careful with giving Benadryl to a cat because they are so small, I would really ask a vet to find out what the dosage would be.

I wish it would be so simple and we could just give them Zyrtec or Claritin daily, it would be so much easier! Don't give up on the the little kitty. If you don't like the answers you get from your vet, try switching to another vet, that is what I did.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Hi, I have a couple cats that have the same problem. One of them there isn't much we can do about. When he was a kitten he caught a virus that made him very ill and he nearly died from it. As a result he has issues with his sinuses and constant respiratory issues that the antibiotics only temporarily take care of. My other cat however does quite well with a shot my vet gives him that usually lasts about 6 months. It is a shot that is a type of antibiotic, but it seems to calm the sneezing for a long period of time. I am not exactly sure of the spelling, but I will give it a shot. Dextrose Depromedrol Flocillin. You may ask your vet about this. Like I said it usually helps for about 6 months for my cat. It is an injection. My cat has chronic sinusitis. I hope this helps. Good Luck. Diane

Answer 6

My cat is allergic to something, we can't pinpoint what and I can't afford allergy testing. My vet gives her a monthly injection of Depo Medrol. It helps her eyes and chin acne. Her eyes get horribly inflamed without it. I feel guilty doing it since it's a steroid and can't be good for her in the long run, but doing the best I can for her.

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What can I do about my cat's sneezing and allergies?
She is 3 years 8 mons. old. We took her to the vet last year for sneezing and stuffy nose and they gave her ammoxicilin. They temporarily went away. This year they weren't just seasonal, she got them in spring and still has them now in fall. We took her to the vet again. This time they gave her...

Answer 8

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are widely used in both the human and animal medical fields. Most of the antihistamines used in veterinary medicine are antihistamines that were designed for and used primarily by humans. Antihistamines have been shown to be effective in controlling allergies in up to 70% of cats and 30% of dogs. When used as part of a treatment plan including fatty acids and avoidance, the percent of respondents goes much higher.

Every animal will respond differently to each of the different antihistamines. Therefore, several different antihistamines may have to be used before an effective one is found. Every antihistamine has a different dose and risk of side effects. Antihistamines should be used with veterinary guidance. Some common side effects include sedation, hyperactivity, constipation, dry mouth, and inappetence. The correct antihistamine given at the proper dose should not cause unwanted side effects. For severely itchy cats, mild sedation may be a positive and desired side effect.

Antihistamines come in several forms including H1 and H2 blockers. While the H2 blockers (Claritin, Seldane, and Hismanal) have been shown to be very effective in treating human allergies, they have not been shown to be effective in treating feline or canine allergies, and are therefore, not recommended for pet use. There are many different H1 antihistamines available on the market, but veterinary use is usually restricted to the following.

Antihistamine Trade Name Possible Side Effects
Diphenhydramine Benadryl Sedation, dry mouth
Hydroxyzine Atarax Sedation, no dosage for cats
Clemastine fumarate Tavist Sedation, dry mouth
Chlorpheniramine Chlor-Trimeton Lethargy, diarrhe

Read the whole article at the address below. It is very intresting.

Answer 9

I agree with the other posters who say to take your cat for a second opinion. Sometimes the vet can give a steroid (the good kind, not the bad kind) injection to alleviate the symptoms, and that helps temporarily.
They can do allergy testing on cats as well. One of my cats developed pretty severe allergies, and the vet did allergy testing (it involves a blood test following a 12 hour fast, and 24 hours being at the vet's office). They can pinpoint exactly what it is, and while they sometimes do allergy shots after the testing, its often some simple environmental modification (i.e., changing their food because they were allergic to something they were eating, changing your laundry detergent, etc). Again, that was the case with our cat, we changed her food and did a couple of other things and no more sneezing!

Good luck, and I hope your little one feels better!

Answer 10

I got my 1 yr. old tiger cat from the Humane Society. His eye was constantly running and he sneezed quite a bit. His medical records from the H.S. showed he had actually had dozens of shots and treatments for his eye while they had him. I took him to my vet and she said he actually had herpes! I freaked out until she said all mammals have the herpe virus in their bodies, a few break out as we know it. She said that l-lysine once a day will help his condition, just as lysine will help human cold sores and breakouts. Also, that humans could not catch feline herpes. What a relief. Now I grind up 10-12 tablets and mix it in wet cat food. I keep the can of food in the refrigerator and give him his "treat" of 1 tablespoon of the mixture a day. This seems to almost completely eliminate his runny eye and all his sneezing. The good news is that you can buy L-Lysine in the drugstore quite cheaply.

Answer 11

Strangely enough, your kitty's allergies may be due to her diet. Cats can sometimes have allergic reactions of the sinuses due to their food...ask your vet about special allergen free food for your kitty...when I worked at a Vet's Clinic this worked more than once, good luck.