Lung Infections in Cats

Cats can develop lung infections as well as humans. Pneumonia or pneumonitis are two types of feline lung infections that can be quite serious. Lung infections often leave the cat short of breath because of a lack of oxygen in the body. If your cat has symptoms of a lung infection, consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and a treatment plan.

  1. Identification

    • Lung infections or irritations of the lungs can affect cats of all ages. According to Pet Education, cats that are infected with the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may be predisposed to lung infections. Lung infections in cats are often chronic and recurrent diseases of the respiratory system, which affect the cat's ability to breathe.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of lung infections in cats may include fever, shortness of breath, rapid breaths and shallow breaths. Other symptoms such as blackouts, gastrointestinal upset and irregular heart beat may also occur. Cats that develop lung infections such as pneumonia may have gums, lips or a tongue that appear to be a blue or gray color. This is known as cyanosis and occurs because the cat is not getting enough oxygen in the bloodstream.

    Types

    • Several types of lung infections may affect cats. One lung infection that may cause inflammation in the lungs is pneumonitis. Pneumonitis may cause fluid to build up in the cat's lungs and may eventually lead to pneumonia, which is a more serious lung infection. According to The Cornell University College Of Veterinary Medicine, another type of lung infection that may develop in cats is the feline infectious peritonitis or FIP. This infection is the result of a viral infection that can cause fluid build-up in the chest cavity or the abdominal cavity of the cat.

    Causes

    • The causes of lung infections in cats may include bacteria, viruses and parasites such as heartworm and lungworm.

    Diagnosis And Treatment

    • A veterinarian can diagnose lung infections in a cats with tests such as chest X-rays and ultrasound. If there is fluid present in the cat's lungs, he may extract a sample of the fluid for further examination. If he suspects a bacterial infection, the veterinarian may perform a culture to identify the type of bacteria before treating the cat with antibiotics. This may help to ensure he uses the correct antibiotic to treat the infection. If the cat is having difficulty breathing because of the build-up of fluid on the lungs, the vet may prescribe a diuretic to eliminate excess fluid in the lungs.