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What causes a feline upper respiratory infection?

Feline upper respiratory infection (URI) is the common term for a respiratory infection acquired by one or more viral or bacterial agents. Synonyms for this condition include feline infectious respiratory affliction and feline upper respiratory disease complex (URD). The infection may be caused by one or more than viral and bacterial agents capable of causing affliction in cats. The about mutual viruses that crusade upper respiratory infections in cats are feline herpesvirus type-i (as well known equally feline viral rhinotracheitis or FVR) and feline calicivirus (FCV), while the most common leaner that cause upper respiratory infections in cats are Bordetella bronchiseptica (B. bronchiseptica) and Chlamydophila felis (C. felis).

FVR and FCV are responsible for approximately 90% of all feline upper respiratory infections. More information about the nigh mutual infectious agents that cause an upper respiratory infection in cats can be found in divide handouts in this series of client education materials. Less mutual agents that may be involved in an upper respiratory infection in cats include mycoplasma or feline reovirus.

What are the symptoms of a feline upper respiratory infection?

The typical upper respiratory infection involves the nose and pharynx, causing symptoms such every bit sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membranes lining the eyelids), and discharge from the olfactory organ or optics. Discharge may be clear or may become purulent (cloudy in appearance and containing pus). With FVR and FCV, the true cat may develop ulcers in the oral cavity. Less specific symptoms of an upper respiratory infection include not eating, lethargy, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and blepharospasm (squinting). In severe cases, the true cat may take difficulty breathing.

How does a cat get an upper respiratory infection?

The viruses and bacteria that cause URI in cats are highly contagious. An infected cat volition shed contagious particles in saliva or secretions from the olfactory organ or eyes. Susceptible cats can go an infection by directly contact with another infected cat or by ecology exposure to objects that take been contaminated with infectious secretions, such equally food and h2o bowls, litter boxes, toys, and bedding. Near cases are associated with direct contact because the viruses and bacteria only survive for a short menstruation of fourth dimension in the environment and are readily destroyed past proper disinfection.

Information technology is estimated that FVR can survive less than xviii hours exterior the host's body while FCV may live upwards to ten days. Dilute bleach solution volition destroy both viruses only calicivirus will withstand washing with bleach-free laundry detergents.

Several of these diseases tin can cause a carrier state in cats that have apparently recovered from an infection, and female carriers tin pass the infection on to their newborn kittens.

How long does a typical feline upper respiratory infection final?

Once a true cat is exposed to an infectious agent, it will become through an incubation menses of 2-10 days before developing clinical signs. If the infection is simple, it volition typically concluding for 7-x days, although signs may persist for upwardly to 21 days in some cases. During this entire time, the cat may be infective to other cats.

With FVR, all cats become chronic carriers, meaning that they will have the disease for life. In some cats that carry FVR, stress (due to surgery, other illnesses, changes in the home, boarding, etc.) may crusade the virus to become reactivated throughout life. With FCV near one-half of infected cats will get carriers of the disease. In some cases, the carrier land may only concluding for a few months. In a small percent of cats, the carrier country may persist for life. These persistent carriers are usually asymptomatic but however serve as a abiding source of FCV to susceptible cats.

How is a feline upper respiratory infection diagnosed?

Diagnosis of an upper respiratory infection is typically based on the characteristic clinical signs. Identification of the causative amanuensis is not always necessary just volition be recommended for breeding cats or if an individual true cat responds poorly to treatment. If the disease is caused by a virus, the specific causative virus can usually be identified by collecting samples of cells and discharges from the nose, eyes or back of the throat. C. felis (leaner) organisms may be identified via conjunctival scrapings (samples taken from an eye using a scalpel, normally with topical anesthetic and/or sedation). If the infection has spread to the lungs, samples may be collected for examination by a procedure called a transtracheal wash (passing sterile fluid through the lung).

If symptoms are long-lasting or recurring, boosted diagnostic testing is warranted. This additional testing will usually include chest or skull ten-rays, blood tests, or leaner civilisation and sensitivity testing of abnormal discharge.

How is a feline upper respiratory infection treated?

Nearly cats with an uncomplicated upper respiratory infection tin can exist treated symptomatically at habitation. Your veterinarian may prescribe an centre medication if your cat has a purulent eye discharge. Although viral infections practise non respond to antibacterial drugs, wide-spectrum antibacterial drugs may be prescribed to forestall secondary bacterial infections from complicating the disease, especially in kittens. Primary bacterial upper respiratory infections caused past Bordetella or Chlamydophila volition exist treated with specific antibiotics that are effective against these diseases.

"Most cats with an elementary upper respiratory infection tin be treated symptomatically at abode."

Cats with nasal or airway congestion may benefit from increased environmental humidification, such as beingness taken into a steamy bath for ten-xv minutes several times per twenty-four hour period. Some cats will benefit from nose drops if the nasal discharge is particularly severe or the nasal tissues become painful. To minimize irritation from nasal discharge, it is often helpful to wipe the true cat'south face or eyes with a moist tissue. Since cats with a respiratory infection will accept a decreased sense of aroma, they oft take a decreased appetite. Feeding a highly palatable canned food may assist ameliorate their appetite. In some cases, an appetite stimulant may be prescribed.

If your cat is dehydrated, depressed, or has a severe case of illness, your veterinarian volition recommend hospitalization for more intensive treatment, including fluid replacement therapy and other supportive treatments.

How can feline upper respiratory infections exist prevented?

Since upper respiratory infections can be caused past a variety of dissimilar disease agents, it is not always possible to prevent them. However, there are standard core vaccines that provide protection against FVR and FCV. There is also a vaccine that protects against feline chlamydiosis (eye infection caused by the leaner c. felis). This vaccine is considered non-core and will only be recommended if your cat has a reasonable risk of exposure to feline chlamydiosis. At that place is also a vaccine for a rare but especially serious grade of calicivirus known as hemorrhagic calicivirus. Because there may be an increased risk of reaction to this item vaccine, your veterinarian will hash out the risks and benefits of its use in your cat. None of these vaccines will completely prevent an infection from occurring if your true cat is exposed to the disease, but they will significantly reduce the severity of the infection and shorten the length of the illness.

All of these vaccines require a booster on a regular basis. Your veterinary will recommend a booster schedule for your individual cat, typically every i to iii years depending on the vaccine and antigen.

Boarding facilities, humane societies, fauna shelters, and cat shows are all places where susceptible cats can exist readily exposed to these infectious diseases. Preventing direct contact between your cat and other cats will profoundly minimize the chance that your cat volition pick up an infection. Post-obit good sanitation and hygiene practices, such every bit washing your hands thoroughly before and after petting some other cat, will further reduce the likelihood of illness spread between cats.

Are other cats in the household at run a risk of infection?

A cat that has an acute upper respiratory infection volition exist infective to other cats during the incubation period and for upwardly to three weeks after developing symptoms. A cat that is a carrier of an upper respiratory virus may e'er be infective to other cats (see question "How long does a typical feline upper respiratory infection last?"). Cats that are unvaccinated, are immature or have chronic underlying atmospheric condition are more susceptible and may develop a serious illness. Adequately vaccinated adults will likely merely develop a mild instance of illness, which may resolve without handling.

"A cat that has an acute upper respiratory infection will be infective to other cats..."

It is always prudent to isolate a new cat from the other cats in your household for at least 1-2 weeks to minimize the risk of transmission of whatsoever infectious diseases. During this fourth dimension, the cat should exist examined by a veterinary to ensure it is safe for the cats to make contact.

Is my family unit at adventure?

Most of the infectious diseases that crusade upper respiratory infections in cats are very species-specific and do not represent any adventure to people. Bordetella bronchiseptica can, in certain circumstances, cause disease in people with an immune system disease. At that place are isolated reports of people who live in the aforementioned household as an afflicted true cat developing C. felis-associated conjunctivitis. Follow good hygiene practices to lessen the chance of infection, and if anyone in your household develops sore or runny eyes or signs of a respiratory infection while your cat is ill, it would exist prudent to consult your dr.. Fortunately, these zoonotic infections are extremely rare.

Source: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-upper-respiratory-infection

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