Treatment of Cat Respiratory Infections

Humans get sick and so do cats. But when a cat gets a cold, it is called an upper respiratory infection (URI). This type of respiratory infection is labeled "upper" because its effects are felt in the cat's head and throat area. There is also a lower respiratory infection, which affects the lungs, but it is not commonly found in cats.

  1. Causes

    • Bacteria is the cause of URI. There are three specific bacteria which can lead to a fatality: feline rhinetracheitis (also known as feline herpesvirus), feline calicivirus, and bordetella. Pets Canada states that worm infections and allergies can also cause URI.

    Symptons

    • An upper respiratory infection affects a cat's head and throat, meaning the eyes, nose and trachea. The UC Davis information sheet on URI lists five possible symptoms: nasal discharge, sneezing, a red or inflamed conjunctiva, ulcers on the nose, lips or mouth, and fever, sluggishness or loss of appetite.

    Treatment

    • If the diagnosed URI is non-viral, then an antibiotic schedule is started. Viral URI cannot be treated with antibiotics. Instead, doctors use antivirals, decongestants, and humidifiers. For eye and throat irritation, drops and ointments are applied. In younger or older cats, or those that have a weak immune system, low doses of interferon-alpha are given. If the herpesvirus is present, an oral lysine supplement is administered.

    Considerations

    • Since, as the Koret Shelter Medicine Program states, a cat infected with URI has a 50 percent chance of survival, prevention is key. The first step is vaccination, which can be nasal or injectable. There are two vaccination options. One option vaccinates a cat against feline distemper, calcivirus and herpsevirus. The other option vaccinates for distemper, calcivirus, herpsevirus, and chlamydophila felis. But, as chlamydophila felis only accounts for 10 percent of URI cases, the American Association of Feline Practitioners favors the first option.

    Warning

    • According to Cat Channel, the bacteria which cause URI are airborne, so indoor and outdoor cats are susceptible.