Useful link below (you'll need to register with FAB to use it, but that's
very easy). Did any of the vets offer to refer you to a specialist or
veterinary college/hospital?

http://www.fabcats.org/felineasthma.html

" hope this helps!  Sneezing and Nasal Discharge by: PetPlace Veterinarians

     Overview

     Sneezing is a reflex of the upper airways, activated to explosively
discharge irritating material from the nasal cavity. It is usually caused by
the irritation of sensitive nerve endings in the mucous membrane that lines
the nose. Nasal discharge is another sign of nasal disease or irritation.

     Although normal cats may occasionally sneeze or have nasal discharge
(similar to human beings), severe, chronic or recurrent bouts of sneezing or
nasal discharge suggest a more serious problem. Sneezing and nasal discharge
often occur together.

     a..   Nasal discharge can be categorized by character: serous (clear),
mucoid (cloudy), blood tinged, bloody (epistaxis) or a combination of these.
It is also categorized by location: unilateral (one nostril vs. bilateral
(both nostrils); chronicity (acute vs. chronic); and associated signs of
disease. For example, nasal bleeding could suggest injury, a tumor, bleeding
disorder or a tick-borne infection.

     Sneezing and nasal discharge can be caused by dozens of conditions.
Some causes are brief and self-limiting such as acute viral infections.
Other problems are recurrent such as seasonal allergies. Still others - such
as tumors or lodged nasal foreign bodies - are relentless and chronic unless
the problem can be resolved.

     Nasal disease can affect pets of any age. Younger animals are more
likely to be affected by communicable respiratory infections (viruses in
most cases) or birth defects (such as cleft palate, ciliary dyskinesis, or
imperforate posterior choanae). Older pets with sneezing/nasal discharge are
more likely to have chronic dental disease or tumors. Outdoor cats are more
prone to inhalation of foreign bodies, such as fox tails plant awns, that
can lead to acute and then chronic upper airway problems. Some fungal
infections are more common in cats (e.g. cryptococcus).

     What to Watch For

     a..   Sneezing and nasal discharge, which are the hallmark symptoms of
nasal and sinus disease

     Other signs may include:

     a..   Rubbing the nose or pawing at the face

     a..   Gagging

     a..   Excessive swallowing (from post-nasal drip)

     a..   Bleeding from one or both nostrils

     a..   A foul smell from the mouth or nose

     a..   Pain

     a..   Swelling over the bridge of the nose

     a..   Noisy breathing

     a..   Loss of appetite

     a..   Weight loss

     a..   Lethargy (lack of energy)

     Veterinary Care

     Diagnosis

     Veterinary care should include diagnostic tests to determine what is
causing the sneezing or nasal discharge and to direct subsequent treatment.

     There are several potential diagnostic tests. Recommendations will
depend upon the likelihood of the potential diagnosis. The tests may
include:

     a..   Physical examination and history including: examination for
swellings; type of nasal discharge, airflow through the nostrils; ability of
your pet to breath with the mouth closed; size and shape of lymph nodes;
oral (mouth) cavity examination; and assessment of the eyes. Thorough
examination of the upper airways is difficult without anesthesia. Acute
causes of nasal discharge or sneezing - especially when caused by a
respiratory viral infection - may be diagnosed from the history and clinical
circumstances.

     a..   General blood screening rarely identifies the cause of the nasal
discharge. However, blood tests are recommended to look for secondary
disease and concurrent problems and to minimize anesthetic risk.

     a..   A platelet count and coagulation screen to assess for possible
causes of bleeding.

     a..   A nasal swab and microscope examination of the cells (cytology).

     a..   Specialized blood tests for fungus infections.

     a..   Examination of the nasal cavity and posterior choanae (back of
the nose) using endoscopes.

     a..   Flushing and cytology of the nasal cavities.

     a..   Skull X-rays.

     a..   Computerized tomography (CT).

     a..   Biopsy of the nasal tissue (mucosa).

     Treatment

     Treatment depends on the cause of the nasal discharge or sneezing.
There is no "general" treatment for these symptoms.

     Home Care

     Recommendations for home care will depend upon the underlying cause of
the problem.

     Monitor your pet for any abnormalities so that you can discuss them
with your veterinarian. If general treatments do not clear up the symptoms,
a diagnosis must be sought using appropriate tests.

     Administer all treatments as recommended by your veterinarian. You may
clean discharges from the nose. Many cats eat based on their sense of smell.
Often if your pet cannot smell the food, he will not eat it. You can warm
food in the microwave or feed a canned food that may be smellier to
encourage your pet to eat.

     Preventative Care

     Vaccinate your pets against upper respiratory infections.

     Causes

     The following list emphasizes the most important causes of nasal
discharge.

     a..   Infectious diseases - viral and bacterial: Rickettsial
infections (also lead to bleeding disorders), bacterial infections (usually
secondary to something else)

     a..   Infectious diseases - fungal diseases (mycotic infections) -
Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhinosporidium, Sporothrix

     a..   Nasal mites (tiny insects)

     a..   Dental disease with infection of the tooth roots

     a..   Inflammatory diseases of the nasal cavity such as
     1) lymphocytic plasmacytic rhinitis - an "immune" or nonspecific
response of the nasal mucosa (lining cells) to an injury or stimulation
     2) idiopathic (no known cause) including "allergic" rhinitis

     a..   Neoplasia - tumors or cancers, including: adenocarcinoma,
chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, mast cell tumor, osteosarcoma, squamous cell
carcinoma

     a..   Polyps - inflammatory benign growths

     a..   Congenital diseases - ciliary dyskinesis (lack of normal
microscopic hairs, cleft palate (food leaks from mouth to nose), imperforate
posterior choanae openings (nasal discharge cannot drain)

     a..   Foreign bodies

     a..   Trauma

     a..   Bleeding disorders - abnormal clotting of blood manifested as a
"nose bleed" caused by: immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopathia,
Ehrlichiosis, hyperglobulinemia, polycythemia, hyperviscosity syndromes and
hypertension

     a..   Extranasal diseases leading to nasal discharge: pneumonia,
swallowing disorders, deficiency in local immunity (IgA)

     Information In-depth

     Nasal discharge may not be obvious, due to the tendency of cats to
lick secretions from their noses. Discharge is more noticeable as the volume
increases, character of discharge changes, other physical abnormalities
occur or secretions accumulate on the nostril, over surrounding hair or
nasopharynx (causing retching or reversed sneezing).

     Nasal discharge comes from several sources, including mucous cells and
glands in the nose. Secretions usually move caudally (away from the nostril)
by the mucociliary apparatus (small hair-like projections) and when they
reach the nasopharynx (where the nasal cavity meets the throat) they are
swallowed. When secretions accumulate to the exterior, it suggests that
there is an increased production of secretions or an obstruction to
drainage.

     Veterinarians know that certain types of discharges are more likely
with certain diseases, but there is overlap. Nasal discharge is not specific
for any one problem but can actually be related to a number of different
diseases or disorders.

     Unfortunately, in older cats, nasal neoplasia (cancer) is a very
common cause of recurrent and progressive (becomes more severe with time)
nasal discharge.

     Veterinary Care In-depth

     Diagnosis In-depth

     Diagnostic tests used to determine the cause of nasal discharge will
be considered by your veterinarian based on findings from the physical
examination, prior test results, or lack of response to empiric therapy.
Most tests for evaluation of nasal discharge are best accomplished with
sedation or general anesthesia. The evaluation for nasal discharge may
include an oral examination, nasal examination, cytology (examination of
cells), biopsy, culture, radiography or computerized tomography.

     a..   Although routine blood screening rarely identifies the cause of
nasal discharge, it can identify concurrent disease and help to assess
anesthetic risk.

     a..   A platelet count and coagulation screen is important in cases of
epistaxis (bleeding from the nostrils).

     a..   A nasal swab and microscope examination of the cells (cytology)
is helpful in suspected cases of certain cancers.

     a..   Specialized blood tests for fungus infections may be
appropriate.

     a..   Radiography - General anesthesia is usually necessary for
optimal positioning. Nasal X-rays can be very difficult to interpret and a
second opinion by a veterinary radiologist (a specialist) is helpful in some
situations.

     a..   Rhinoscopy - is a procedure that consists of looking into the
nose (front and back) with a lighted instrument or endoscope. This is
performed under anesthesia to visualize and biopsy the nasal cavity as
needed.

     a..   Culture - Secondary infection is common with most causes of
nasal disease. A culture will help determine which organisms are present but
one should understand that the normal nasal cavity is colonized by bacteria
and sometimes by fungus.

     a..   Biopsy - Tissue samples should be submitted for histopathology
to assist in the diagnosis. Samples may be obtained by exploratory surgery
(usually a last resort), by endoscopic direct biopsy (rhinoscopy) or by
blind biopsy (using an endoscopic pinch biopsy forceps without directly
seeing the abnormal tissue).

     Depending on the situation, your veterinarian might recommend
additional diagnostic tests to exclude or diagnose other conditions and to
provide optimal medical care for your pet. Some examples include:

     a..   Serology - can be used for diagnosis of fungal-based nasal
discharge.

     a..   Computed tomography (CT) - available at referral institutions
and excellent for determining the amount and extent of bony involvement of a
nasal tumor.

     a..   Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - available at referral
institutions and helpful for determining the amount and extent of bony
involvement of a nasal mass.

     a..   Surgery - Exploratory surgery can expose the nasal cavity,
procure a biopsy, culture and remove foreign bodies.

     Treatment In-depth

     a..   Optimal therapy of any serious or persistent medical condition
depends on establishing the correct diagnosis. There are numerous potential
causes of nasal discharge and before any treatment can be recommended, it is
important to identify the underlying cause. Initial therapy should be aimed
at the underlying cause.

     a..   Antibiotics may be used to treat some infectious disease
process, but the primary cause, such as tooth root abscess, must be also
treated. Nasal discharge that is unresponsive to antibiotics is a common
finding with cancer.

     a..   Nasal fungal disease may be treated with antifungal therapy.

     a..   Polyps are treated with surgery.

     a..   Foreign bodies are removed with rhinoscopy, endoscopy or
surgery.

     a..   Nasal tumors are treated with radiation, +/- surgery or
chemotherapy.