The respiratory system is made up 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 it needs to live. However, we cannot downplay 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 clinical picture of the patient. In this article on our site 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 present 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 grouping them with the label " 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. Symptoms of feline respiratory complex are as follows:
- 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.
- Tos: appears as a defense mechanism when the respiratory system is going through some abnormal process. It is also associated with rhinotracheitis because most cough receptors are found in the trachea.
- Lethargia: if the respiratory function is compromised, the correct delivery of oxygen to the entire tissue territory of the patient is reduced. 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 in 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 legañas in patients with respiratory diseases.
- Mouth ulcers and erosions: A typical feature of respiratory disease in cats is the presence of mouth ulcers that can appear up to 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 respiratory tract diseases 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 they not only share symptoms, but some also share treatment and are only differentiated by their origin.
Having said the above, the main respiratory diseases in cats are the following:
Feline Rhinotracheitis
This disease affects the respiratory airways and some authors describe it as cat fluRhinotracheitis of viral origin has two causes: 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 a carrier of the disease, and may present it again if it is immunosuppressed.
Cat flu can also be of bacterial origin, in this case the microorganisms responsible 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 runny nose and/or eyes, sneezing, cough, dehydration, difficulty drinking and eating and mouth sores if 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 result of the presence of fungi, such as Cryptococcus, allergies, intrusion of foreign bodies in the nose or even dental problems.
The symptoms of rhinitis will be closely related to the cause that provokes 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 lethal and the prognosis is less favorable. Pneumonia can also be caused by inhalation of secretions from the mouth or stomach contents, described as aspiration pneumonia.
It is common for the animal to have fever, cough, sneeze, difficulty swallowing, make sounds when breathing or show faster 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 similar to an allergy than to the 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, breathing agitated and noisy, coughing and wheezing when exhaling air.
Bronchitis in cats
This is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes which can be mediated both by bacteria and by other processes. It is a very dangerous condition, since it tends to get worse quickly, putting the animal's ventilation at risk. It can be classified as acute or chronic depending on how long the signs have been manifesting 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 correct ventilation, an issue that makes it difficult to maintain adequate oxygen levels throughout the tissue territory. Respiratory insufficiency can be a consequence of any of the aforementioned respiratory diseases in cats and it is precisely what we must 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 dealing with a respiratory case in cats is the anamnesis, that is, the information provided by the owner. A correct compilation of your patient's clinical history will give you the necessary information that you must then associate with other results.
Secondly, the clinical signs Although they are practically the same, they are usually more evident depending on the aetiological agent that causes them, and this The veterinarian must handle it correctly to suspect the person responsible for the disease. Finally, in order to reach an accurate conclusion, laboratory tests are carried out Samples, both blood and secretions (nasal and ocular), are to the laboratory and reflect important information for diagnosis. A hematology (deeper study of the blood) and a PCR test (C-reactive protein) 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 the clinical signs and many factors inherent to the animal. In any case, if the patient has days of inappetence, he is probably dehydrated, so a correct fluid therapy should be used to restore the losses that the cat has had since not feeding properly.
On the other hand, steroids are indicated in this type of case, much more when we talk about asthma. In case of bacterial infection, a treatment is established based on antibiotics, which in many cases is also used when the etiology is viral, of course, not for combat the virus, but to avoid secondary bacterial infections that can take advantage of the state of the animal.
Having said the above, if you wonder what antibiotics you can administer for respiratory diseases in cats, the truth is that only the veterinarian is trained to prescribe the most appropriate depending on the type of bacteria. Administering the wrong antibiotic can considerably worsen the clinical picture.
Can a cat with a respiratory disease be cured?
The prognosis will depend on how quickly the animal's guardian takes him to the veterinary clinic. In most cases, Calicivirus and Herpesvirus have a favorable prognosis if treated in time, however, in any existing pathology, carelessness can lead to seriousness or even death of the patient.
