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Cat Allergies

 
CRC articles are not medical advice and should not be relied upon to diagnose any medical issue. Please see a veterinarian for any unusual behavior or medical observations.
 
Cats get allergies too!  If your cat seems to have runny eyes and/or nose when flowers bloom, this could be the reason.  The descriptions below are from the Merck Vet Handbook www.merckvetmanual.com.
 
Allergic rhinitis is manifest by serous nasal discharge and sneezing. It is less common in other animals than in people. Often, it is seasonal, correlating with pollen exposure. Nonseasonal rhinitis may be associated with exposure to ubiquitous allergens, such as molds, danders, bedding, and feeds. Recurrent airway obstruction in horses may be a sequela of low-grade respiratory allergies. Summer snuffles is a seasonal allergic rhinitis occurring commonly in Guernsey or Jersey cattle placed on certain types of flowering pastures in late summer and early autumn. Allergic rhinitis can be diagnosed tentatively by the following: 1) identification of eosinophils in the nasal exudate, 2) demonstration of a favorable response to antihistamines, 3) disappearance of signs when the offending allergen is removed, or 4) occasionally, its seasonal nature. Unlike in people, skin testing is not an accurate means to diagnose nasal allergies in animals.
 
Chronic allergic bronchitis has been best characterized in dogs. A dry, harsh, hacking cough that is easily precipitated by exertion or by pressure on the trachea is a characteristic clinical sign. The disease may be seasonal or occur year-round. Usually, it is not associated with other signs of illness. The bronchial exudate is rich in eosinophils and free of bacteria. Chest radiographs are normal, and there may or may not be a low-grade peripheral eosinophilia. The condition is treated with bronchial dilators and expectorants (aminophylline and potassium iodide or guaifenesin), which aid in the removal of thick, tenacious mucus. Glucocorticoids dramatically alleviate clinical signs, especially when their use can be limited to certain seasons or to low-dose, alternate-day therapy. Avoidance of the offending allergen(s) usually is not possible because only rarely is it identifiable.
 
Allergic bronchiolitis is most common in cats. It is manifest by a low-grade cough, wheezing, some dyspnea, and increased peribronchiolar density on radiographs, and it may be mistaken for other conditions (allergic asthma or lungworm disease). Early in the course of the disease, clinical signs can be modified by antihistamine therapy, but if the disease increases in severity, moderate to high dosages of corticosteroids may be necessary. The offending allergen usually is not identified.