For any pet owner, seeing brown, pus-filled discharge coming from a kitten or adult cat’s eyes or nose can be concerning. This issue may indicate underlying health issues that require attention and may be more than just a cosmetic concern.
This type of discharge is frequently indicative of irritation or infection, so it’s critical to identify the source so your cat can receive the appropriate care. If treatment is not received, the illness may get worse and result in more severe health issues.
Comprehending the potential reasons and being aware of at-home cat care techniques or when to seek veterinary assistance can significantly impact your pet’s recuperation.
Causes of purulent discharge from the nose
In cats, nasal purulent discharge is not a single illness, but rather a sign of multiple conditions. They smell bad and have an ugly appearance. A total or partial loss of interest in food is frequently associated with such nasal discharges because they also severely impair breathing and the ability to swallow food.
You must determine what is causing the nasal purulent discharge in order to know what to do in this scenario. Your furry friend may have brown pus coming from its nose because of:
- Infection of the middle ear or auditory tube.
- Tumors in one or both nasal passages. Pus appears in the last stages of cancer of the immune system, connective tissue neoplasms, osteogenic sarcomas, formations consisting of glandular cells.
- Injuries to the nasal bridge and passages. Usually, this symptom is caused by mechanical injuries to the organ, such as falling from a height, colliding with a moving vehicle, getting hit by a car or bicycle, getting a foreign body stuck in the upper respiratory tract, or during a fight with other pets. In addition to the discharge of pus, wounds, swelling, and redness may be found on the pet"s nose.
- Intrauterine developmental anomalies. The culprit of this problem may be a cleft palate and upper lip, a deviated nasal septum.
- Various infectious processes in the body.
- Parasitic disease caused by toxoplasma.
- Inflammation of the lungs caused by chlamydia.
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Viral respiratory infections typically cause more than just purulent nasal discharge. As a result, the upper respiratory tract, the eyes, and the oral cavity are all affected by rhinotracheitis. Statistics show that 85% of animals have this issue as a result of a calicivirus infection, which causes pulmonary dysfunction and dyspeptic disorders in the cat.
Cats and people with weakened immune systems are most commonly affected by this illness. Additionally vulnerable are animals with blood cancer, persistent lesions of the internal organs, and viral immunodeficiency.
Cryptococcosis is another dangerous disease that causes purulent discharge from the nose. Damage to the upper respiratory tract, inflammation of the pulmonary structures, and inflammation of the ethmoid nasal labyrinth are its defining characteristics. The central region of the brain, subcutaneous tissues, and eyes can all occasionally be impacted by the pathological process.
The nostril lumen of British and Scottish Fold cats frequently narrows. A cleft palate, which is one of the causes of pus in the nasal passages, is also a congenital defect.
Why does pus flow from the eyes?
Purulent eye discharge in cats is typically accompanied by excessive lacrimation, persistent squinting, redness, a painful reaction of the affected organ to light, and a decline in overall health (drowsiness, decreased motor activity, difficulty sleeping, and a full or partial refusal to eat). The following factors may be connected to the problem’s appearance:
- Inflammation of the conjunctiva (a thin mucous membrane lining the outer surface of the eyeball and the inner area of the eyelids) of bacterial origin.
- Inflammation of the ciliary margin of the eyelids (blepharitis), which is essentially a severe form of conjunctivitis. This disease can be superficial (the inflammatory process does not affect the deep layers of the eyelid) and deep (the ciliary roots and meibomian glands are affected).
- A foreign body entering the eye.
- Viral, fungal and bacterial infections.
The underlying cause of eye suppuration determines the accompanying symptoms. Details about them are shown in the table:
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- swelling of the eyelids;
- inflammation of the mucous membrane;
- increased lacrimation;
- increased body temperature (in severe cases of the pathological process).
- constant blinking;
- squinting;
- rubbing the affected organ with a paw;
- anxiety;
- increased lacrimation;
- redness.
- hypersalivation;
- swelling, redness, roughness, narrowing of the eyelids;
- unbearable itching;
- rubbing the eye with a paw;
- loss of eyelashes;
- deterioration of general health;.
- sneezing;
- cough;
- dyspeptic disorders;
- lethargy;
- lack of interest in food;
- rise in temperature.
- discharge of pus from the nose;
- rise in body temperature.
- dry and bumpy skin;
- abscesses on the body;
- fever;
- refusal to eat;
- rapid weight loss;
- impaired breathing and coordination of movements.
Some breeds are prone to suppuration of the eyes, especially sphinxes. This results from their eversion of the eyelids, which predisposes them to the development of chronic conjunctivitis. These animals’ eyelashes scrape their ocular surface, increasing inflammation and lacrimation. The most common breeds in which blepharitis is found are those of the Persian and Burmese varieties.
A cat’s eyes or nose discharge that is brown and purulent frequently indicates an infection or disease that requires immediate medical attention. It may be brought on by viruses, bacteria, or even allergies. If the illness is not treated, it may get worse and have a major negative impact on the cat’s health. It’s critical to thoroughly clean the afflicted areas and speak with a veterinarian to ascertain the precise cause and the best course of action, which may entail taking antibiotics or other drugs.
What to do if a cat has purulent nasal and ocular discharge?
If a dust particle gets into your pet’s eye, the only thing you can do to help is to rinse it. In other situations, such as when a foreign body gets inside the nose, veterinary assistance is needed.
The patient with tails will be examined by the veterinarian, who will also recommend any necessary treatments. Details on how to handle an animal whose eyes and nose are discharged with pus:
| Purulent discharge | Cause of suppuration | Treatment measures |
| Nasal | Infection of the middle ear | Use of drops and ointments for mild forms of the disease, antiseptics – in severe cases. |
| Malignant neoplasms | Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. | |
| Injuries | Surgery. | |
| Infectious diseases | Use of antibiotics, antimycotics, vitamins, immunomodulators, rehydrants. | |
| Toxoplasmosis | Use of antiprotozoal drugs and symptomatic therapy. | |
| Ocular | Conjunctivitis | Use of antibacterial drops and ointments. |
| Blepharitis | Use of conservative methods (antibiotics, immunoglobulins) for mild cases of the disease and surgical methods for severe cases. | |
| Infections | Use of antibiotics, antimycotics, vitamins, immunomodulators. |
| Possible Causes | Treatment Options |
| Bacterial Infection | Antibiotics prescribed by a vet |
| Feline Herpesvirus | Antiviral medications and supportive care |
| Allergies | Identify and remove allergens, use antihistamines |
| Foreign Object in Eye | Rinse the eye with saline, visit the vet if it persists |
| Eye Injury | Vet examination and possible eye drops or ointment |
| Conjunctivitis | Prescription eye drops or ointment from the vet |
Something isn’t right if you see brown, purulent discharge coming from your cat’s nose or eyes. Infections, allergies, or other underlying medical conditions may be the cause of this. It’s critical to take immediate action to stop the illness from getting worse.
Adequate maintenance is essential, which includes giving the cat the appropriate medication and gently cleaning the discharge. To determine the precise cause and obtain the best treatment plan, a veterinarian visit is imperative. Ignoring the issue could result in more significant issues.
Your cat will heal more quickly if you monitor its general health, note any changes, and heed your veterinarian’s advice. The sooner you take care of the problem, the better your cat’s health will be.
