Symptoms of a Sinus Infection in Cats

Sinus infections in cats are caused when bacteria, fungi or viruses enter the upper respiratory tract. A cat's sinuses can also be affected by dental infections, tumors, and migration of foreign bodies such as hairballs, plant pollen or undigested food into the sinuses. To adopt appropriate remedial measures to treat your cat, you must observe the various sinus infection symptoms that it displays, such as sneezing, nasal discharge and coughing.

Sneezing

When cats sneeze, it is generally considered a normal respiratory function. However, a cat that sneezes frequently over extended time periods could have infected sinuses, states the Animal Pet Doctor website. Cats may sneeze because of complications from feline herpes virus and feline leukemia virus. When these viruses flare up, the cat's sinuses get infected and develop nasal polyps, which cause the sneezing.

Nasal Discharge

A congested sinus can cause cats to suffer from a runny nose. Nasal discharges are a good indicator of the cause behind a sinus infection in cats. A clear, runny nasal discharge could mean that the sinuses are infected owing to allergies or minor infections, while a thick and cloudy discharge could be a sign of bacterial infection. If the nasal discharge contains blood, your cat might have a foreign body lodged in the sinuses, or it could be suffering from an injury or a severe infection.

Coughing

Acute coughing in a cat can indicate that it is trying to clear the throat or has food or a foreign body lodged there. However, when the cough is chronic and long-lasting, the cat should be given medical attention. A dry, hacking cough accompanied by other symptoms, such as a runny nose and teary eyes or a fever, can be a symptom of feline asthma or other respiratory diseases that affect the sinus, states the Pet Health and Care website.