Cat with blocked nose.

[Toddlerteaplease]

My very flat faced Persian has a cold. She's always a bit snuffly but it passes in a couple of days and she's fine. She's been really snuffly now for about 2-3 weeks. Any suggestions on how I can decongest her nose. (She had widening surgery a year ago, which has really helped) she's well in herself and not struggling but I can't bear hearing her sound all blocked up. I tried saline spray but she hated it.

[Toddlerteaplease]

The tiny nose in question!

[Shriek]

Oh bless her. She's very pretty but sad about breathing issues.
I dony think your dcat is getting viruses this regularly if she is there is something seriously wrong with her.

Maybe she needs more surgery to help her and tell the breeder to prevent this in other dcats. Same happens in many ddogs having noses bred out of them

Do you have one of those mini turkeybaster type things used for sucking baby noses clear of congestion?

[Toddlerteaplease]

She's a rescue so I can't tell the breeder. Makes me sad that people think flat faces are cute. As Persians go, her face is very 'open'. I've considered a snot sucker thing but her snoz is just too small. Did wonder about taking her back to the vet to see if her nose can be widened anymore but I think they've probably done all they can and it's really transformed her life! Now I think about it she did this, this time last year. Only had her 18 months so it might just be some thing she does. If she seemed unwell at all she'd be at the vets. PDQ but I think it bothers me more than her. Her equally flat faced sister doesn't have a problem at all. Wonder if a karvol diffuser would help.

[Shriek]

I think flat faces are ugly frankly in dcats or ddogs and cruel indulgences by breeders of animals that then suffer, but I thought yourdcat has such pretty eyes and cute little girl (she seems from the pic).

Not suggesting you are ignoring her being ill but potentially disagreeing with your 'cold' diagnosis.

You might be best off finding some breeders and asking help from their vast wealth of experience with flat faces?

[Toddlerteaplease]

She came from a specialist Persian rescue and the lady who runs it is very knowledgeable about flat faces. I agree I think it's cruel. I never intended to have a Persian but fell in love with a photo of her and that was that. I really don't think she is ill, she's completely her usual self. Eating and drinking well etc. I do wonder if the central heating is part of the issue.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I'm very PFC about them so if I thought she was unwell she'd be at the vet very quickly.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Before she had surgery she was much worse. She's been a different girl ever since. The vet who did it was against such surgery but since he saw the difference it made to her he's changed his mind. And was going to recommend it for another of his clients who struggles to eat because of it. But breeders should not be allowing it to happen in the first place.

[LivingInMidnight]

How compliant is she? I was wondering about the chances of irrigating her nose to flush it out, like with human noses...

[Shriek]

Certainly agreed about breeding any animal for anything other than its well-being in every way and to retain breed traits without compromise to well-being (like temperament and intelligence).

The rescue lady specialist musthave a few tricks up her sleeve then?

[Shriek]

Is irrigation quite risky in dcats?

[LivingInMidnight]

I've googled and it looks like they need sedating but it can be done. Shouldn't be overly risky other than anaesthesia though, human babies can use it.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Omg she's just scared the life out of me by going awol. She somehow got out this morning. Something she never does. Spent 45 min frantically searching for her. Neighbour had spotted her behind his bins. She needs de gardening but she's ok. Think I've aged by 30 years!

[LivingInMidnight]

She can't be feeling too terrible then! Although you might!

[Toddlerteaplease]

Actually she sounds loads clearer! Maybe the bitter cold has done her good. My nerves are shreds! Poor thing must have been scared as she allowed me to pick her up and cuddle her.

[LivingInMidnight]

Aww she probably panicked once she was out there!

[Toddlerteaplease]

Yes. She went out at 1030 and I got home at 4 and didn't realise she was missing till about 5. She usually only goes in the back garden for about five minutes.

[RubbishMantra]

Oh, I hope your little snuffler's less snuffly soon, Toddler. I wonder if it's her nose getting used to the surgery? I remember seeing an ultra-face Persian for the first time, and its' face was literally concave, so much so I thought it had been in an accident.

Blue Cross (page 3) recommend diffusing some Olbas oil. I don't know if they do a plug in diffuser, but could work in an oil burner/bowl of hot water?

Little M comes in covered in garden stuff, despite him being short and curly and somewhat lacking in the hair department. He loves rolling in the dirt, and it sticks to his greasy skin.

Glad you found your little floof-monster!

[RubbishMantra]

Ooh, and after a quick search I came across a decongestant that's safe for cats called bisolvon. Maybe ask your vet about that? It's prescription only.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Oo I had some bisolven last year. I'd forgotten about that. Not sure how much it helped though. Will try an olbas diffuser if they exist.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Yes I agree about the ultra faced Persians. I wasn't impressed by the Persians at the Supreme cat show as they were all like that. Apparently proper Persians are supposed to have the top of their nose lower than their lower eyelid. Which mine have.

[Shriek]

This kind of breeding is encouraged and [vomit]

[Toddlerteaplease]

Shriek, I couldn't agree more. My poor girls were both used as kitten factories and had never lived in a house or had much affection. Both rescued in very bad condition and another sister died. The lady who rescued them is still traumatised by it.

[RubbishMantra]

Scottish fold's shouldn't have been developed as a breed, IMO. Yes they look cute with their big owlish eyes and folded over ears, but the same gene that causes the ear folding creates cartilage issues and bone problems, so the poor cat's in pain.

And don't get me started on Munchkins...

I think you did a wonderful thing, rescuing your Persian girls Toddler.

[Toddlerteaplease]

My parents cat is apparently a Scottish fold/ BSH cross. ( also a rescue) he's the most bonkers cat I've ever met!

[Weedsnseeds1]

Maybe Friars Balance in a bowl of hot water in the room? Always got used on me as a child with a towel over my head and face over the bowl ( not suggesting tent insulation for your cat) but as long as the cat can't lock or drink it, I can't see that that, or Olbas, would cause a problem?