Very often the cause of concern for cat owners is pet's hot dry nose. It is believed that dryness of the organ of smell certainly indicates the presence of a pet disease. However, is this so?
In a normal healthy state, a cat’s nose should be slightly moist and cold due to the fact that a certain secretion of its mucous membrane constantly appears on the surface of the olfactory organ, and also because the animal often licks it.
What does a hot and dry nose mean (reasons)?
A cat's body temperature is different from a human's body temperature. a couple of degrees higher. This fact can mislead the owner and touching the cat’s nose and ears can cause a false alarm.
Household
However, false dryness and increased temperature may be present for several other reasons, and if you discover them, you should not panic:
- the animal is sleeping;
- cat only after sleep;
- lying in the sun for a long time or near a stove or fireplace;
- excessive heat in the house.
Such reasons are called domestic. As a rule, they are not associated with pathologies, and there is no need to worry. You should give your pet time to recover from sleep, place it in a cooler place, and check again after some time.
Pathological
Pathological causes of dry and hot nose and ears can be due to overeating, leading a sedentary lifestyle, the presence inflammatory processes, dehydration, high temperature bodies.
Signs of diseases and treatment
The most alarming symptom in the presence of a dry and hot nose, along with hot ears, the animal is lethargic, apathy, constant drowsiness, fatigue, loss of appetite.
Should listen pet's pulse. If there are diseases, it will be more frequent. In this case, deep breathing, sneezing, and possibly coughing are observed.
Depending on the disease that affects you, the following may appear:
- diarrhea,
- vomit,
- animal anxiety,
- hair loss,
- nasal discharge.
The cat does not respond to the owner's call; the pupils may be dilated. Most often, of the above, the pet exhibits two or three symptoms inherent in any one disease.
Another sign of an unhealthy condition can be the strange behavior of a cat when it strives to hide in a dark corner.
Examination of the mucous membrane and bladder
When examining the oral mucosa, the normal condition should be the pallor of the latter.
If the mucous membranes are inflamed or there are wounds on it, ulcers are a sign stomatitis. Presence of pathologies digestive system can be determined by palpation by feeling the pet’s belly. Soreness always indicates the presence of a disease.
Should be investigated fullness Bladder to exclude pathologies genitourinary system. Take a close look at the animal's excrement for uncharacteristic consistency, impurities, and worms. And also examine the urine for blood, mucus, changes in color and odor.
Establishing diagnosis
When starting treatment for your pet, you should make sure that the diagnosis is correct.
The most common pathologies associated with increased temperature are inflammatory in nature. When stomatitis is diagnosed, treatment should begin immediately. It is recommended to treat the affected oral cavity with disinfectants. To do this, it is permissible to use a solution baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, weak solution of potassium permanganate, furatsilin.
You can moisturize with syringes. Wounds and ulcers are lubricated Lugol's solution with glycerin, methylene blue. In case of multiple lesions, the use of antibiotics is indicated - oxytetracycline, erythromycin. For general support and acceleration of healing - vitamins.
Nasal discharge
If a concomitant symptom is nasal discharge and a diagnosis of rhinitis is established, the first aid will be rinsing warm water, removing dried crusts. Drug treatment prescribed by a veterinarian.
Treatment of diseases of the digestive system
Treatment for diseases of the digestive system will depend on the specific pathology identified. The general purpose will be to use a course of antibiotics to avoid complications in the form of other infections, anti-inflammatory drugs.
Treatment aimed at eliminating symptoms: antiemetics, antispasmodics, painkillers, anti-diarrhea medications. Mandatory use of a gentle or starvation diet, depending on the illness.
Availability accompanying symptoms in the form of difficulty urinating, it indicates the development of pathologies of the pet’s genitourinary system.
Blockage of the urinary tract
If the urinary tract is blocked, therapy will consist of the following components:
- antispasmodics – no-spa, atropine sulfate, papaverine;
- sedatives – rovatin, sodium bromide;
- analgesics – analgin, aspirin, paracetamol;
- disinfectants for the genitourinary system - biseptol, bearberry decoction;
- diet.
In severe cases - catheterization.
Urocystitis
No less dangerous illness may be inflammation of the bladder - urocystitis. First aid is warmth and peace. At elevated temperatures, it is strictly forbidden to warm the cat’s groin and belly.
The next step in treatment is a diet in the form of vegetables, cereals, broths, and free access to drink.
Drugs used for urocystitis: antibiotics, sulfa drugs, analgesics, antispasmodics. In severe cases, rinse the bladder through catheterization.
Cat cold
Often a dry nose is explained by a common cold, but one should not discount the danger from such an illness.
A lethargic animal is a sponge that absorbs various side infections, so a cold must be treated.
- You should immediately provide the cat with a calm, dry and warm place.
- Give him a warm drink, maybe heated milk.
- Warm compresses and heating pads only in the absence of fever.
- To improve blood flow in the superficial skin vessels, you can apply a light massage of the animal’s entire body.
- Treatment is symptomatic. If lacrimation is observed, it is permissible to use antiseptics; to wash the eyes - potassium permanganate or furatsilin.
A runny nose that appears can be treated by washing the nasal passages with a solution of novocaine with adrenaline, ethacridine, tannin, solution boric acid, zinc sulfate. Nasal drops are prescribed in the form of a methanol solution with fish oil. In parallel, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and vitamins are used.
Taking care of his own pet the owner must appearance of an animal to determine its well-being. A cat's wet nose is considered a sign of health. The condition of the tip of a cat's nose is some indicator of the health or illness of the animal. A more accurate diagnosis, of course, can only be made by a veterinarian, whom you should contact if you suspect a disease.
The nose of cats is a unique organ; its sense of smell is much stronger than that of humans. Animals constantly monitor its cleanliness so that their sense of smell, which is very important for them, does not decrease. Its front part is not covered with hairs and is called the lobe (or mirror). Due to the secretions of the mucous membrane, this organ is almost constantly wet and cool - this is its normal state.
If the lobe becomes dry and hot, this may be a sign of an elevated temperature in the cat and the onset of a disease. But this is not at all necessary, healthy pets the mirror may also be hot. The color of the lobe may also change, for example, when it gets colder.
The respiratory humidity in cats can change several times a day. When they sleep and a few minutes after waking up, it is completely dry. Humidity also decreases after significant physical activity of the pet, especially if it is very active. The nose also becomes dry in a hot room or after the animal has suffered severe stress. In cats that like to be near heating appliances, this organ is hot and dry.
The mucus on your pet's nose helps him recognize any odors. And since cats do not have sweat glands, the mucus of the mirror helps maintain the normal condition of the whole body. With its mirror, the animal is able to determine the temperature of food without even touching it, using its organ as a thermometer.
Signs of the disease
Dry and hot urine is often the first symptom of a pet's illness. But we must not forget that normal temperature cats are slightly taller than humans. The mirror may seem hot, but the animal will be absolutely healthy.
If you suspect a disease, you can use a thermometer. It is inserted into anus cats, a normal temperature for them is 38-39°C. You can also try to determine the pet’s condition by looking at its ears; if the temperature is elevated, they will be hot.
An increase in the animal's body temperature may indicate poisoning, a cold, an infection or dermatological disease. If the lobe becomes bluish in color, this may indicate that the pet has serious problems with heart. A bright red color may be a sign of rhinitis or infectious disease, these same diseases may also indicate very wet nose. Yellow indicates problems with the liver or kidneys, and white indicates a malfunction circulatory system.
If signs of disease are detected, the cat owner should observe its behavior for some time. If any other symptoms appear, your pet must be shown to a specialist. Only a veterinarian will be able to determine after an examination why the cat’s nose is so wet.
Do not wipe the earlobe with different wet wipes, as they can cause allergies. If any dirt gets inside, the mucous membrane is able to remove it itself. The animal may need help cleaning visible parts of itself. If there are persistent stains or dry crusts from snot on the surface, they can be carefully removed with a cotton swab. If the crusts are very dry, they can be pre-greased. Vaseline oil. Such problems often appear in breeds with a flat face; they cannot take good care of themselves.
If your cat's nose is very wet, you can lightly blot it with a paper towel. If you find scratches or wounds on it, do not treat them with iodine or brilliant green. These products can cause severe burns to the animal. respiratory tract, which will lead to serious complications. Basically, the cat keeps its mirror clean on its own. If it is very hot, the pet will lick it. If dust or debris gets into it, it will sneeze to cleanse the nasal passages and wash itself.
Any person who has ever interacted with cats knows that you can determine the state of health by touching the animal’s nose. But this sign may not be reliable enough. Only a few negative symptoms after observing the pet can indicate a more accurate diagnosis.
A cat's nose is one of important organs touch. It is with his help that she learns about the world. In addition, it is a kind of indicator of the pet’s health - based on its condition, an attentive owner can determine how he feels. Therefore, it is important to know what type of nose a healthy cat has, what is normal or a cause for concern.
To understand the reason for this phenomenon, it is enough to remember that cats belong to the family of predators. By their nature, they are designed to track prey, and a moderately moist surface of the olfactory organ increases its sensitivity, which makes it possible to better capture odors from the air and accurately determine the location of prey. Moisturizing occurs thanks to:
- fluid released from mucous membranes;
- saliva that gets on it during licking.
Therefore, a slightly damp nose is the norm, which is a manifestation of good health. Humidity can change several times during the day and there is nothing to worry about.
Representatives of breeds with a flattened muzzle have a wetter nose because they lick it more often. These pets are also more likely to experience respiratory problems because flattened nasal cartilage makes breathing difficult.
When there's no reason to worry
Concerned owners, having discovered a hot, dry nose in a cat, consider this a manifestation of the disease, which is not entirely correct. It is important to understand that dryness can be normal in the following cases:
- during sleep and within 20-30 minutes after waking up;
- when exposed to the sun for a long time, in a hot room with poor ventilation or near heating appliances;
- after physical activity and active games;
- in case of severe fear or stressful situation.
Note: in older cats, a dry nasal surface is considered normal.
In an alert state, dryness can appear even due to minor deviations in the functioning of the body (undereating or overeating, a mild cold), which go away on their own within a few hours or days.
But if the dryness of the nose does not change for a long time, you need to measure your body temperature by carefully inserting a thermometer lubricated with Vaseline into the anus. A healthy cat's body temperature fluctuates between 38-39°C. If the thermometer shows numbers lower or higher, this is already a reason to take a closer look at your pet and pay attention to the appearance of other symptoms. Fever may be a symptom of poisoning, inflammation, viral infection or the presence of a foreign body in the nasal passage.
What to pay attention to
If the nose for a long time stays dry, this is usually a sign of developing disease, while hot is a sign of increased body temperature. Not only the temperature and humidity of the olfactory organ can indicate health problems. A change in its color can also be a sign of a cat’s disease:
- lightening - typical in case of disturbances in the functioning of the circulatory system, hypothermia, poisoning;
- turning blue indicates a lack of oxygen or cardiovascular disease;
- yellowing - appears with kidney or liver diseases;
- redness - develops with damage, increased temperature or pressure, various types of infections (runny nose, sinusitis) and allergic reactions.
In this matter, not everything is so simple, because the change in color is influenced by the surrounding temperature, as well as the color and breed of the pet: for some, the nose darkens in the cold, for others, on the contrary, it becomes slightly lighter. To determine your health status, the presence of other symptoms should also be taken into account. For example, if a cat refuses food and water, becomes lethargic and inactive, vomiting or upset stool appears - these are clear indications for consulting a veterinarian, who will be able to determine the causes of this phenomenon and provide the necessary assistance.
Do I need to take care of my nose?
The cat takes care of its nose: licks it if it becomes dry on a hot day, washes it with its tongue and paws if it becomes dirty after a walk or sniffing objects. But it is important for the owner to periodically examine and feel the pet’s nose in order to notice suspicious symptoms in time. This is done by lightly touching the back of your hand. A healthy olfactory organ should be slightly moist, cool and shiny, smooth and without flaking. But even this option does not guarantee the health of the animal. Loss of smell for a cat, especially in early age, is tantamount to the threat of death, since he loses orientation in space and may refuse to eat. Therefore, it is important to be especially attentive and monitor the general well-being of your pet.
You can also ask questions to our site's in-house veterinarian, who will answer them as quickly as possible in the comment box below.
There is an opinion that if a cat has a wet nose, it means it is healthy. With her nose she recognizes any, even very subtle odors. The sense of smell is very important for a cat in nature, thanks to it it skillfully recognizes and tracks its prey.
Wild animals sneak up on prey from the leeward side, this is the easiest way to catch the scent. And it is a wet nose that allows the cat to understand which side is leeward. Representatives of felines have amazing ability“holding” the smell in the nose, so she can easily recognize the smell she needs.
Structure of a cat's nose
A cat's nose has two nasal passages, separated by cartilage. This organ contains special glands that secrete watery mucus. This mucus protects the nose from drying out and cracking. It is the water on the surface of the nose that allows the cat to distinguish between different odors. The molecules of the substance settle on the sticky surface of the nose, and information about the smell goes further into the respiratory tract.
The structure of a cat is designed in such a way that it does not sweat, but in hot weather it is the nose that regulates heat exchange in the body; temperature is regulated through it. The animal's body may have increased temperature or excessive activity. The nose allows the cat to cool down faster. Thus, nature itself made sure that cats were healthy.
An attentive owner should carefully monitor the health of the pet and check this organ from time to time. A healthy cat almost always has a moist and cool nose. But don’t worry if the nose becomes warm and dry; perhaps the pet has just woken up and crawled out of the warm shelter in which it was resting. But if any crusts or peeling have formed on the nose, it is recommended to show the cat to a veterinarian; do not try to remove the peeling yourself, this can cause negative consequences.
You can often tell from a cat's nose whether she is sick. Just as people touch their foreheads in order to...so they touch a cat's nose. If the nose is hot for a long time, then it is necessary to give the cat special antipyretic medications.
You can determine any disease by the color of your nose:
- A pinkish, smooth, cool nose means the pet is healthy.
- White nose – changes in the functioning of the body’s circulatory system.
- Red, inflamed nose with discharge.
- A bluish nose means a lack of oxygen or changes in the cardiac system.
- A yellow tint to the nose means problems with the kidneys or liver.
Of course, it is easiest to notice such changes for those whose pets have light-colored noses; those with dark-colored noses are advised to carefully monitor their health, and, if anything happens, immediately contact a specialist.
Nose care
As a rule, a clean pet always carries out all nose care procedures on her own. If the nose is dirty, then the cat will definitely wash it with the help of its tongue and paws; if the nose is dry, it will moisten it by licking it.But the cat is unable to clean its own nose if necessary. This is where the help of an attentive owner is needed.
Firstly, it is worth remembering that Under no circumstances should cotton swabs or any other means be used to penetrate the inside of the nose! If any dirt gets inside, the nasal mucosa itself will help remove it. Your task is to clean only the visible part of the nose. This could be snot crusts or persistent nasal contamination. It is necessary to clean the nose carefully and delicately so that the cat does not get scared and run away. When cleaning, you must use soft cotton buds, using gentle movements from the inner edge of the nose to the outer edge, remove dirt.
If your pet has a runny nose and the nose is not breathing, then consult a doctor immediately, because this may be caused by dangerous infections, tumors, dried blood and much more. An experienced doctor will examine the animal, make the correct diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Never rub your animal’s nose with various antibacterial wipes! Strong perfumes may cause allergies in sensitive cats. If you need to remove excess moisture from your nose, use a small piece of tissue and gently blot your nose. Also, you should not treat your nose with brilliant green or iodine if there are scratches or injuries on the nose - this can cause severe burns to the respiratory tract and lead to serious complications.
Always monitor the condition of your pet's nose. A healthy cat has a moist, shiny nose. If you detect the slightest signs of disease, do not delay and immediately take your pet to the veterinarian. Remember that your pet's health largely depends on you. Do not forget to give your beloved pet due attention and care, because only then will she be truly happy.
Owners who care for their pets should be able to determine their well-being by their appearance. An indicator of whether a cat is healthy or sick is the condition of the tip of its nose. If a cat has a wet nose, then we can assume that it is healthy. But even if the nose is dry, this does not mean that the cat is necessarily sick. There is a small percentage of cats for whom a dry nose is normal. Only a veterinarian can make a final conclusion about the health status of a pet.
Condition of a cat's nose when it is healthy
Cats' sense of smell is much stronger than that of humans. To prevent it from decreasing, cats always take great care to keep their noses clean. The organ itself consists of two nasal passages that are separated by cartilage. The front of the organ is not covered with hairs. This part of it is called the lobe or mirror. It contains glands that secrete a special fluid. Mucosal secretions make the lobe moist and cool. This condition of his is normal. These secretions themselves are a viscous substance, thanks to which the animal is able to easily recognize odors. With the help of a mirror, a cat is able to determine the temperature of food without touching it. Since cats do not have sweat glands, the sputum of the lobe provides thermoregulation of the entire body.
Another function of a cat's wet nose is to determine the direction of the wind. This is dictated by its hunting instincts - cats lie in wait for prey on the leeward side. A cat feels cold air currents with its nose long before a person feels them. Therefore, if a cat hides its nose, this indicates an impending cold snap.
A dry and hot earlobe indicates that your pet may have a fever. But this can also happen in a healthy animal. A cat may have a dry nose during sleep and immediately after waking up, especially if it sleeps near heating appliances. If the cat exhibits increased physical activity, the moisture in his nose also decreases. This is especially true for kittens because of their mobility and playfulness. Also, the lobe “dries out” when placed in a hot room or after severe stress.
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Signs of the disease
The first sign that your pet is sick is dry and hot urine. This is caused elevated temperature body and the fact that a sick animal drinks less fluid. If you suspect that your cat has a fever, you should use a thermometer. An additional sign of fever in an animal is hot ears.
If it is determined that the cat’s temperature is elevated, then it may be a cold, an infectious or dermatological disease, or poisoning. Sometimes the earlobe changes color. In this case, the nature of the pathology can be determined by its color:
- bright red color is a sign of infection or rhinitis;
- a bluish color gives reason to fear that the pet has heart problems;
- a yellow tint may indicate liver or kidney disease,
- white color - there is reason to assume a dysfunction of the circulatory system.
An overly wet earlobe is also a sign of rhinitis. In all these cases, urgent consultation with a veterinarian is necessary.
Care
Usually the cat keeps its nose clean, but sometimes it needs help. You need to wipe your pet’s earlobe very carefully, keeping certain rules. Wet wipes cannot be used for this purpose, since the composition with which they are impregnated can cause allergies in the animal. If dust or dirt gets into the nose, the cat will sneeze and wash itself until the ducts are cleared. In case of severe contamination or the formation of crusts from snot, the animal’s earlobe can be cleaned with a cotton swab. But cotton swabs can only be used to clean the visible part; it is strictly forbidden to penetrate them inside the nose. If the crusts are very dry, they should first be greased with Vaseline.
