Cat Nose Daily Clean Outs

by Edd Williams
(Lake Arrowhead CA)

At age 12, my male short-haired tabby (Tigre) developed chronic sinus problems. Antibiotics did not clear up the nagging sneezing, stuffed runny nostrils, and "bubbles" when he breathed out.

My cat's vet told me "Tigre" would get worse, perhaps die from a brain infection, if I did not "clear his sinuses" daily. He suggested that I make him sneeze and showed me ways to do it.

So every morning I tickled his nose on the front edges of his nostrils with a curved, pointed syringe until he sneezed like a lumberjack. Lots of mucus would come out, and sometimes he would sneeze 4-7 times, clear and yellowish mucus making its way out.

After each cat sneezing session, I placed several drops of sterile saline into each nostril, then made him sneeze a few more times. Tigre must have known I was helping him because he never resisted; he would just crouch down placidly and allow me to pet his head upright as I treated him.

These treatments kept Tigre alive and relatively healthy and happy for 4 years until, at age 16, he developed feline kidney problems and finally succumbed after several months of sneezing treatments and injections of water under his loose skin on the back of his shoulders.

To cat owners everywhere, I would encourage you to handle and pet and coddle and talk to them as often as possible; to let them rest against your leg or on your lap as you read or watch TV; to make them feel "at home" in your company. I believe I was able to treat Tigre successfully and with almost no fuss at all because of his relaxed, trusting comfort in my company.

Cheers!

Cat Nose Clean Out Cat Health Guide Comment

Edd,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story and sorry to hear about the passing of Tigre.

Companion animals need care, especially those with health problems and those that are seniors. In fact, the companionship of an animal benefits people by relaxing and entertaining them. In turn, companion animals also need the attention of owners and all those related to them.

Management of a cat requires attention and devotion; in return humans can get pleasure, alleviate depression and receive countless other benefits.

Pets, especially those that are older and those with health problems need more attention and care. Treatment of any disease or health problem can be troublesome for a cat. Different methods of treatment such as the administration of drugs, surgery, therapies and several other methods along with disease builds psychological as well as physical stress over the patient, therefore more care and support is needed.

Moreover, pets usually do not like therapies and being handled against their will and may show aggressiveness or stress at the initiation of any type of treatment. As you are clearly demonstrating here, owner involvement is very helpful during recovery from any feline disease.

This can be done in many ways, such as:

1. Owners should always monitor any unusual physical as well as psychological symptoms building up in their cat.

2. Even minor changes in behavior or the physical status of a cat should be taken seriously and if needed, a veterinarian should be consulted.

3. It is never a good idea to bring your cat to different veterinarians. Even though every veterinarian follows the decided code of therapeutics, each veterinarian has their own mode of proceeding. Also, as you point out, cats usually cooperate with someone that is familiar.

4. Directions provided by a veterinarian in terms of therapy that is provided at home should be carefully understood. If you feel that it would be difficult to administer any medications at home, discuss this frankly with your veterinarian. For example, in this case, if an owner wasn’t able to follow instructions, the poor cat would have suffered more then is necessary.

5. Along with a veterinarian’s directions, some additional recommendations are usually printed on the labels of different products/drugs. An owner must carefully read these directions and follow them carefully. Discuss any questions you have with a veterinarian.

6. During therapy or treatment, if unusual symptoms are noted, an owner should never try to resolve them on their own. A veterinarian must be consulted and therapy should be discontinued.

7. Owners should realize that a diseased cat requires more attention and care. Such pets are in stress and therefore can behave abnormally, so an owner should remain calm, friendly and make them feel that “It’s all right!”

8. The initiation of any treatment is obviously hard, but once it makes the pet feel comfortable and the cat starts to recover, a cat will surely cooperate. Sometimes, the behavior of an owner toward the patient is much more important than the output of the treatment, this is clearly demonstrated in this case. Cats are considered to be wise and usually respond positively towards friendly behavior.

9. Consider cats as part of your family, treat them like your children and surely they will keep you relaxed and pleased.

Thank you again for reminding us all how to care for our cats. We couldn't help but add to the conversation.