The respiratory system is comprised of various organs and each one fulfills an elementary function for life. It is known that the lung, among other things, is responsible for providing the animal with the oxygen necessary to live. However, we cannot minimize the importance of the set of anatomical structures that make up a perfect system for the respiratory function of many animal species.
Respiratory diseases in cats are quite common and, although they generally have a favorable prognosis, many factors can aggravate them, putting your pet’s life at risk. A peculiarity that characterizes these pathologies in felines is that they are not always specific to the lung, many times the injury is suffered by other organs that are part of the respiratory system, an issue that can end up worsening the patient’s clinical picture. In this article we will talk about the most common respiratory diseases in cats, their possible causes, treatments and the pertinent recommendations to keep your pet away from these pathologies.
Respiratory Diseases in Cats – Symptoms
The most common respiratory diseases that are expressed in felines have practically the same signs and symptoms, although in some cases certain considerations apply. The similarity between the symptoms is such that many authors do not even outline the diseases separately, instead, they group them with the label of “feline respiratory complex” (feline rhinotracheitis).
The feline respiratory complex can be defined as that set of signs and symptoms that are expressed by different etiologies (causes), which we will talk about later. The symptoms of the feline respiratory complex are the following:
- Sneezing: defined as a sudden rush of air or mucus expelled from the nose and mouth. It is characteristic of any respiratory disease, although frequent sneezing is much more associated with feline rhinotracheitis.
- Cough: appears as a defense mechanism when the respiratory system is going through an abnormal process. It is also associated with rhinotracheitis because most of the receptors for cough are found in the trachea.
- Lethargy: if the respiratory function is compromised, the correct delivery of oxygen to the entire tissue territory of the patient is diminished. To this must be added that certain respiratory diseases present with fever and pain, so that, consequently, we will have a lethargic patient.
- Loss of appetite: pain and fever end up causing loss of appetite for most pets. This symptom appears when the disease is already established.
- Legañas: the feline respiratory complex has the peculiarity of producing ocular symptoms. It is normal for us to notice rheumatism in patients with respiratory diseases.
- Ulcers and erosions in the mouth: a typical characteristic of respiratory disease in cats is the presence of mouth ulcers that can appear even on the tongue and palate and can cause severe stomatitis if the pathology is not treated in time.
Main respiratory diseases in cats
After grouping the diseases of the respiratory tract in cats and taking into account their symptoms, we can differentiate them by their etiology, that is, by the microorganism that causes them. It should be taken into account that in this case these pathologies can be grouped as a feline respiratory complex because not only do they share symptoms, but some also share treatment and differ only by their origin.
That said, the main respiratory diseases in cats are the following:
Feline rhinotracheitis
This disease affects the respiratory airways and some authors describe it as cat flu. Rhinotracheitis of viral origin has two culprits: feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. It is highly contagious and it has been proven that the virus can remain alive in secretions for up to a week, although it is quite easy to neutralize it with disinfectants. In the case of herpesvirus, the cat remains as a carrier of the disease, being able to present it again if it is immunosuppressed.
Feline flu can also be of bacterial origin, in this case the responsible microorganisms are Bordetella bronchiseptica, Chlamydophila felis and Mycoplasma. The difference in these cases lies in the treatment, which we will talk about later.
In any case, rhinotracheitis shows symptoms such as nasal and / or ocular discharge, sneezing, cough, dehydration, difficulty drinking and eating, and mouth wounds if it is caused by feline calicivirus.
Rhinitis in cats
It is defined as inflammation of the nasal cavity and is part of the symptoms of viral rhinotracheitis. Likewise, it can appear as a consequence of the presence of fungi, such as Cryptococcus, due to allergies, intrusion of foreign bodies in the nose or, even, due to dental problems.
The symptoms of rhinitis will be closely related to the cause that causes it but, in general, sneezing and a runny nose are observed.
Feline pneumonia
If rhinotracheitis is not treated in time, it can worsen and compromise the entire respiratory system including the lungs. As the pulmonary alveoli are inflamed, the consequences can be fatal and the prognosis is less favorable. The cause of pneumonia can also be inhalation of secretions from the mouth or stomach contents, described as aspiration pneumonia.
It is common for the animal to have a fever, cough, sneeze, difficulty swallowing, make sounds when breathing or show more rapid breathing.
Feline asthma
What characterizes asthma is the constriction of the airways, compromising ventilation. It is a progressive disease that, if not treated in time, can have serious consequences. Bronchial constriction without an apparent etiological agent makes it more like an allergy than a flu, so the diagnosis can be reached by correctly evaluating the clinical signs and the patient’s history.
Among the most common symptoms of this disease we find the aforementioned respiratory distress, especially after exercising or activities of greater intensity, agitated and noisy breathing, coughing and wheezing when exhaling air.
Bronchitis in cats
It is an inflammation of the bronchi that can be mediated both by bacteria and by other processes. It is quite a dangerous condition, since it tends to worsen quickly, putting the animal’s ventilation at risk. It can be classified into acute or chronic depending on the time that the signs have manifested in the patient.
The main symptom of this respiratory condition is coughing, difficulty and making noises when breathing.
Respiratory failure in cats
It is defined as a limitation that prevents the body from performing proper ventilation, an issue that makes it difficult to maintain adequate oxygen levels throughout the tissue territory. Respiratory failure can be the consequence of any of the aforementioned respiratory diseases in cats and it is precisely what we should avoid when we find suspicious respiratory signs in our little feline.
How are respiratory diseases in cats diagnosed?
The first diagnostic tool that the veterinarian will have when facing a respiratory case in cats is the anamnesis, that is, the information that the owner provides. A correct compilation of your patient’s medical history will give you necessary information that you will then have to associate with other results.
Second, the clinical signs. Although they are practically the same, they are usually more evident depending on the etiological agent that causes them, and this must be handled correctly by the veterinarian to suspect who is responsible for the disease. Finally, in order to reach an accurate conclusion, laboratory tests are performed. The samples taken, both blood and secretions (nasal and ocular), go to the laboratory and reflect important information for the diagnosis. A hematology (more in-depth study of the blood) and a PCR (C-reactive protein) test could be an important ally for the veterinarian to get to know the microorganism he is dealing with.
Treatment for respiratory diseases in cats
The treatment to cure respiratory diseases in cats is usually quite similar, however, it differs according to clinical signs and many factors inherent to the animal. In any case, if the patient has had a lack of appetite for days, he is probably dehydrated, so correct fluid therapy should be used to restore the losses that the cat has had since it has not fed properly.
On the other hand, steroids are indicated in this type of case, much more when we talk about asthma. In case of infection by bacteria, a treatment based on antibiotics is established , which in many cases is also used when the etiology is viral, of course, not to fight the virus, but to avoid secondary bacterial infections that can take advantage of the state of the animal.
That said, if you wonder what antibiotics for respiratory diseases in cats you can administer, the truth is that only the veterinarian is trained to prescribe the most appropriate ones based on the type of bacteria. Giving the wrong antibiotic can significantly worsen the clinical picture.
Can a cat with a respiratory disease be cured?
The prognosis will depend on how quickly the guardian of the animal has in taking it to the veterinary clinic. In most cases, Calicivirus and Herpesvirus have a favorable prognosis if treated in time, however, in any existing pathology, neglect can lead to seriousness or even death of the patient.
This article is merely informative, we do not have the power to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the vet in the event that it presents any type of condition or discomfort.
