Feline Pseudomonas & Lung Infections

Cats suffer from upper and lower respiratory infections that share many commonalities with their human counterparts. Kittens, cats already suffering from other health issues and cats recently finding homes after a stay in a shelter or pet store often present with these respiratory infections. They are infections of opportunity that flourish in areas where a lot of cats congregate. Outdoor cats also tend to catch more lung infections and have a higher rate of contracting pseudomonas.

  1. Pseudomonas

    • Pseudomonas is a bacteria that does not cause primary illnesses in cats. Instead it is commonly found in cats suffering from chronic or reoccurring infections. This is especially true in feline chronic ear infections. Few antibiotics work on pseduomonas and they are highly resistant to treatment. Some cats with pseudomonas will require lifelong daily doses of antibiotics to control the infections caused by the pseudomonas. Pseudomonas most commonly occur with ear infections and cases of bacterial cystitis.

    Feline Upper Respiratory Infection

    • A cat must come into direct contact with a cat with a current feline upper respiratory infection to catch it. Outdoor cats and cats recently rescued from or living in an animal shelter are typically the animals that catch this infection, but Persians and kittens are predisposed to it. The symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, fever, hoarse voice and cough. A cat displaying a loss of appetite, high fever or serious congestion should be immediately seen by a veterinarian. Most other cases will run their course naturally.

    Cat Flu

    • Cat flu is a colloquial term describing upper respiratory tract disease in felines. It can be caused by feline rhinotracheitis virus, feline coronavirus and pasturella multocida, among many other possible infecting agents. The symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, excessive drool, coughing, fever, loss of appetite and ulcers in the mouth and tongue. A veterinarian may take oral swabs to confirm the presence of a viral infection. Treatment usually includes treating the symptoms -- coughing and congestion -- and instructions to carefully watch the cat for signs of deterioration.

    Feline Pneumonia

    • Cats can contract either bacterial or parasitic pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia is most often diagnosed in young kittens and other cats with already compromised immune systems. The symptoms usually include depression, fever, cough and nasal discharge. B. bronchiseptica will be found in cats with bacterial pneumonia. Parasitic pneumonia is a form of lungworm. Up to 20 percent of outdoor or feral cats have lungworms. Most never show any symptoms. Like bacterial pneumonia, it most often presents in cats already suffering from a depressed immune system. Cats with parasitic pneumonia will cough and wheeze excessively.