Chronic URT disease in cats – signs and vet care

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your cat has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. It is a long-term problem in a cat’s upper airways, also known as chronic nasal discharge.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
Take a photo or short video to show the vet
Keep fresh water available
Let your cat rest somewhere calm

Don't

Do not give any human medicine
Do not wait if it gets worse

What it is

Chronic upper respiratory tract disease, also known as chronic nasal discharge, is a relatively common problem in cats and can have many causes.^[1] Your vet may use your cat’s history, the signs it is showing and an examination to form an idea of the underlying problem; further tests may be needed in some cases.^[1]

Signs

Nasal discharge, which may be clear, thick and mucousy, or occasionally tinged with blood
Sneezing
Difficulty breathing
Gagging or choking noises, particularly when eating
A change to the shape of the face, such as swelling of the nose
Appearing tired
Not eating as much as normal
Discharge from the eyes or ears

Causes and risk factors

Post-viral or idiopathic rhinitis
Fungal infections
Inflammatory polyps
Cancer (neoplasia)
Foreign bodies
Allergic rhinitis
Dental disease
Other conditions

How a vet finds out

Physical examination
Blood tests
Urine tests
X-rays
Biopsy
Endoscopy

What the experts say

“Discharge from the nose (clear fluid, thick mucous, occasionally tinged with blood) ; Sneezing ; Difficulty in breathing ( dyspnoea) ; Gagging or choking noises, particularly when eating ; Change to the cat’s face shape, such as swelling of the nose ;”
— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

What is chronic upper respiratory tract disease in cats?

It is also known as chronic nasal discharge and is a relatively common problem in cats that can have many causes.^[1]

What signs can it cause?

Signs can include discharge from the nose, sneezing, difficulty breathing, gagging or choking noises when eating, and swelling of the nose.^[1]

How might a vet find out what is causing it?

A vet may consider your cat’s history, the signs your cat is showing and an examination; further tests may be needed in some cases.^[1]

Sources

International Cat Care (iCatCare)

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages