My cat has a stuffy nose. Is it safe for him to fly in cargo?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Leo. I would recommend that he sees his veterinarian as he may have an upper respiratory tract infection. If this is not the case, then he may be experiencing allergies or even have a diseased tooth. You veterinarian will be able to guide you on if diagnostic tests are necessary or if treatment is needed. I hope this information helps!

He may have an upper respiratory infection, which is quite common in cats. It is hard to say for sure without examining him myself. You can try using a humidifier to break up any mucous. As an alternative you can place him in the bathroom with the shower running for 5-10 minutes 2 x daily. However he ultimately will likely need antibiotics to clear up any bacterial infection that may be present. I would also recommend getting him on antiviral medication (I.e. lysine powder or gel from your local pet store or vet clinic) to treat for a suspected underlying viral infection. I hope your kitty feels better soon. Best wishes and take care.

As long as he is still eating and able to sleep comfortably then i would not be overly concerned. Bathing his nose with saline and cotton wool can help free any mucus and make breathing a little easier. If symptoms worsen or he starts breathing with his mouth open I would seek an emergency appointment

Upper respiratory infections, allergies, and minor issues with the throat or lungs can sometimes cause congestion or coughing/snoring sounds, however minor cases may resolve on their own with little symptoms. If your cat is still eating and drinking and acting normally, it may just be best to keep an eye on her and watch for any changes. If you do see symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, loss of appetite, fever, difficulty breathing or discharge from the eyes and nose, then scheduling a veterinary appointment for further care is best. If she stays normal, then bringing it up at your next vet checkup if still concerned is best so that your vet can make sure to examine those areas more thoroughly.

Persians have congenital problems with breahing anyway due to the shape of their head and squished nose, So anytime they get an upper respiratory infection this is made worse. You should take her for an exam and a course of antibiotics to your vet. In the meantime you can give her a bit of a steam bath in the shower ( bowl with hot steamy saltwater in a small container or in the shower, so she breathes this in and may liquify the mucus.

Sorry to hear Smoky isn't acting normally. If your current veterinarian hasn't performed diagnostics to back up his statements, I would consider taking him elsewhere in order to do a little more investigation since there have been persistent clinical signs. Abnormal breathing and increased nasal discharge could be an indicator of an upper respiratory infection, feline asthma, cardiopulmonary/cardiovascular disease, or a primary respiratory condition. X-rays of the chest would be the first and foremost diagnostic test to perform in order to rule some of these in/out. There are medical therapies as well that can be attempted instead of diagnostics, but if you would like to get down to the crux of the issue, the diagnostics would be preferable. Hope this makes sense.

Open mouth breathing is always a concern in cats, steam therapy with Vicks or olbas oil and gentle cleaning and flushing of the nostrils with warm saline can also help. I strongly recommend you get him rechecked by your own vet as soon as possible