My kitten has a URI and her nose is bleeding. Should I worry?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on your brief description, it sounds as though Mars may have a nose infection leading to inflammation causing blood and infection causing the mucus. I would recommend having Mars examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Is it a lot of blood or just a drop? if it is a lot of blood I recommend emergency. If it is a drop and only happened once and he is acting ok then you can wait. There are veterinarians typically open on Saturday that are not emergency hospitals. I would talk with your veterinarian about a possible polyp if he consistently is having respiratory issues. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Some irritation in the nose is possible, but there shouldn't be frank blood coming from the nose. Not laying down could indicate that there is also issues in the lungs, as in pneumonia. In pets with decreased lung capacity, laying down makes it much harder to breathe. I would recommend taking Wendy back to the vet for re-evaluation. It is possible to develop secondary pneumonia from a URI.

Batman may have some residual inflammation in the nose from the previous infection. I would recommend using a supplement called duralactin with lysine to help treat a viral infection such as herpes virus. This could have been the cause previously but could be lingering and causing continued symptoms. I would also recommend an anti inflammatory drug short term and see how he does. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Poor cat. Over 90% of cats with acute sneezing discharge are infected with herpesvirus and calicivirus. These viruses are usually exposed to cats when they are young and cats seems to recover from them but they continuously cause irritation, erosions, and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract (nasal passages) over time which can lead to mild nose bleeds. However there is also a possibility that your kitty could have a coagulation problems that is causing the bleeding as well. Therefore it is best to get kitty seen by your veterinarian for a coagulation profile in case kitty needs more extensive treatment to resolve this. If kitty is negative for any bleeding disorders or any other potential causes of nose bleeding (i.e. fungal, allergic, etc), then the extent of treatment will most likely be 1) Anti-viral medication (Lysine-availlabe over the counter at your local pet store or at your vet clinic), 2)Antibiotics- to treat any secondary infections present, 3)Steroid or NSAID therapy to help ease inflammation of the nasal turbinates. I would recommend scheduling an appointment with your cat's veterinarian soon to get the proper testing and treatment your cat needs for his care.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear that Mini is having a runny nose. It is possible that she is suffering from an upper respiratory infection that may be viral and/or bacterial in origin. If you believe that she is not having difficulty breathing (ie, has a respiratory rate of less than 40 at rest and is not using her belly to help her breathe), she is eating normally, drinking, urinating and defecating normally, and has a normal energy level, you may be able to monitor her at home. Sometimes, keeping her in the bathroom while you run a hot shower can help clear her sinuses. If you notice any purulent (yellow, thick, foul-smelling) discharge from either her eyes or nose, I recommend having her seen by a veterinarian to be examined and treated. I hope this is helpful!

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Thank you for sending pictures as well- this is very helpful. The eyes (right eye especially) do look very infected. Eye infections in kittens are usually caused by a virus and is best treated with antibiotics and sometimes antiviral medications and supplements such as Lysine. Sometimes these infections can cause the kitten to rub excessively around the eyes which can cause the area around the eye to become very red and inflamed. Batshiva does really need to see a veterinarian for this so she can get properly treated. Eye infections can lead to lead to more serious conditions or the eye so it is best that she is seen sooner rather than later. I hope this helps and I hope she can see a veterinarian soon!