Signs & Symptoms of Cat Pneumonia

The majority of feline pneumonia is the result of either viral or bacterial infection of the lungs, and is accompanied by shortness of breath, a rattling or gurgling sound when breathing, and general lethargy and exhaustion. It can only be successfully treated with vet-administered antibiotics. Feline pneumonia requires immediate veterinary attention, but in the (hopefully short) time between discovering the problem and getting your cat to the vet, make sure the cat is kept in a warm, humidified room with access to lots of clean water.

  1. Rapid Breathing/Rattling In The Chest

    • Difficulty breathing, also known as dyspnea, comes about in cases of feline pneumonia as a result of fluid accumulation in the space around the cat's lungs, which prevents the lungs from filling with air properly. In addition to short, gasping breaths, the fluid in the lungs will also most likely make a rattling sound. Along with the verbal cues, extreme difficulty in lying down, and an inability to move without experiencing exhaustion, are signs of the lung congestion caused by feline pneumonia.

    High Fever

    • Fever is another symptom of feline pneumonia, but how can a pet owner tell if their cat is suffering from an elevated internal body temperature? Indications of a fever include rapid breathing, disinterest in eating, muscle pain (cat flinches or hisses, as if injured, when touched) and prolonged and unresponsive hiding. Pet owners should bear in mind that these signs are not as telltale as rattling lungs, since perceived muscle pain could be due to injury, and disinterest in eating or hiding could also be the result of a recent scare.

    Bluish Oral Mucous Membranes

    • In the advanced stages of feline pneumonia, an oxygen deficiency is created, leading to a bluish tint of the cat's oral mucous membranes. Additionally, the lips tongue and gums of the cat may take on a bluish or grayish tint, due to lack of oxygen flow to these areas. This sickly coloring is known as cyanosis, and can be diagnosed with a chest X-ray.