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Hi,My new 5 month old Persian kitten sneezes throughout the day and occasionally pus comes out one side of his nose. I see him shaking his head once in a while. But he doesn't seem to be in pain. His eyes seems to be tearing a lot and it's red rimmed (not sure if that's just the breed). He also seems to be breathing heavily. He's still eating, drinking, and playing. What do you think is the problem? I just got him two days ago and the breeder says he was totally fine in her home.
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Cat Gender: Male Age: 5 months Name of Animal: Smudge Already Tried: Nothing, I just treated him the same.
Hi,
Welcome to Just Answer. Congratulations on the new addition to the house. At this time, the clinical signs that you're describing fit a feline upper respiratory viral infection. He could have been exposed to an upper viral agent and that combined with the "stress" of a new home / new environment may have let her immune system get a little down and allow this current infection. At this time, my best recommendation is to get him evaluated by your vet since he is a new kitten for you. They can give him a good physical exam and make sure that he gets everything set up for his vaccines and future care. Depending on their exam, they may start him on some antibiotics for a secondary infection. Here is a great link on these upper respiratory infections.
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=613
If it's only coming from one side of nose, could that still be a respiratory viral infection? Wouldn't it come from both nostrils? Where could he have gotten this infection from? Also, how can I tell the difference between breathing problems and purring? And is this problem very serious?
Sometimes early on it can be just one sided. You are correct in that upper respiratory infections should progress to both sides. If it stays one sided, then a nasal foreign body would have to be suspect. The infection could have been in the environment that he came from. He didn't break with it till the "stress" of the new environment allowed his immune system to dip. This doesn't sound that serious at this time as he's continuing to eat and drink. If he isn't doing this, then it is progressing and he definitely needs evaluation. You'll know a breathing problem as it is where they have more effort involved with breathing. It is hard to describe but most owners recognize it when it is there.
If it is the virus, will this potentially be something I'll have to deal with for the rest of his life? Just read the article and it mentioned that. Will this be something that I'll have to spend a lot of money on in terms of medical expenses if he has this problem for the rest of his life? Does this mean his immune system is week if he has the virus? Also, if it is the foreign body, what are the treatments for that?
If it is an upper respiratory viral infection, it won't be an ongoing issue. If he has a feline herpes virus infection, then that would be persistent intermittently but not a horrible situation.
If there is a foreign body in the nostril, the typical treatment is antibiotics and flushing of the nares to try and remove it. This would be very unlikely in a kitten his age.
Experience: 12 years of experience as a small animal veterinarian