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What causes a feline upper respiratory infection?

Feline upper respiratory infection (URI) is the common term for a respiratory infection caused by one or more than viral or bacterial agents. Synonyms for this status include feline infectious respiratory disease and feline upper respiratory illness complex (URD). The infection may be caused by ane or more viral and bacterial agents capable of causing affliction in cats. The most common viruses that crusade upper respiratory infections in cats are feline herpesvirus type-1 (as well known as feline viral rhinotracheitis or FVR) and feline calicivirus (FCV), while the most mutual bacteria 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 well-nigh common infectious agents that cause an upper respiratory infection in cats can be found in separate handouts in this serial of client educational activity materials. Less common agents that may exist 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 throat, causing symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membranes lining the eyelids), and belch from the nose or eyes. Discharge may be clear or may go 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 non eating, languor, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and blepharospasm (squinting). In severe cases, the cat may accept difficulty breathing.

How does a cat get an upper respiratory infection?

The viruses and bacteria that crusade URI in cats are highly contagious. An infected true cat will shed contagious particles in saliva or secretions from the olfactory organ or optics. Susceptible cats tin become an infection by direct contact with another infected cat or by environmental exposure to objects that take been contaminated with infectious secretions, such as nutrient and water bowls, litter boxes, toys, and bedding. Nearly cases are associated with directly contact because the viruses and leaner only survive for a brusk period of time in the environment and are readily destroyed past proper disinfection.

Information technology is estimated that FVR tin survive less than eighteen hours exterior the host'due south body while FCV may live up to ten days. Dilute bleach solution will destroy both viruses simply calicivirus will withstand washing with bleach-free laundry detergents.

Several of these diseases can cause a carrier land in cats that take obviously recovered from an infection, and female carriers can pass the infection on to their newborn kittens.

How long does a typical feline upper respiratory infection terminal?

Once a cat is exposed to an infectious agent, information technology will go through an incubation period of 2-10 days before developing clinical signs. If the infection is elementary, information technology will typically terminal for 7-10 days, although signs may persist for up to 21 days in some cases. During this entire time, the true cat may be infective to other cats.

With FVR, all cats become chronic carriers, meaning that they volition have the disease for life. In some cats that comport FVR, stress (due to surgery, other illnesses, changes in the dwelling house, boarding, etc.) may crusade the virus to become reactivated throughout life. With FCV about one-half of infected cats will get carriers of the disease. In some cases, the carrier state may only last for a few months. In a small-scale pct of cats, the carrier state may persist for life. These persistent carriers are usually asymptomatic but still serve as a constant 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 agent is not e'er necessary only will be recommended for breeding cats or if an individual cat responds poorly to treatment. If the affliction is caused past a virus, the specific causative virus can usually be identified by collecting samples of cells and discharges from the nose, optics or dorsum of the pharynx. C. felis (leaner) organisms may be identified via conjunctival scrapings (samples taken from an eye using a scalpel, unremarkably with topical anesthetic and/or sedation). If the infection has spread to the lungs, samples may be collected for examination by a procedure chosen a transtracheal launder (passing sterile fluid through the lung).

If symptoms are long-lasting or recurring, additional diagnostic testing is warranted. This additional testing will unremarkably include breast or skull x-rays, blood tests, or bacteria civilization and sensitivity testing of abnormal discharge.

How is a feline upper respiratory infection treated?

Most cats with an elementary upper respiratory infection can exist treated symptomatically at dwelling house. Your veterinarian may prescribe an centre medication if your true cat has a purulent eye discharge. Although viral infections do not respond to antibacterial drugs, wide-spectrum antibacterial drugs may be prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections from complicating the affliction, particularly in kittens. Primary bacterial upper respiratory infections caused past Bordetella or Chlamydophila volition exist treated with specific antibiotics that are effective confronting these diseases.

"Most cats with an uncomplicated upper respiratory infection can be treated symptomatically at home."

Cats with nasal or airway congestion may benefit from increased ecology humidification, such as being taken into a steamy bathroom for 10-15 minutes several times per day. Some cats will benefit from nose drops if the nasal belch is particularly severe or the nasal tissues become painful. To minimize irritation from nasal belch, it is often helpful to wipe the cat's face up or eyes with a moist tissue. Since cats with a respiratory infection will take a decreased sense of smell, they often accept a decreased appetite. Feeding a highly palatable canned food may help improve 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 will recommend hospitalization for more intensive treatment, including fluid replacement therapy and other supportive treatments.

How can feline upper respiratory infections be prevented?

Since upper respiratory infections can be caused by a multifariousness of different illness agents, it is not e'er possible to prevent them. However, there are standard core vaccines that provide protection confronting FVR and FCV. There is too a vaccine that protects against feline chlamydiosis (heart infection acquired past the bacteria c. felis). This vaccine is considered non-cadre and will just exist recommended if your true cat has a reasonable risk of exposure to feline chlamydiosis. In that location is besides a vaccine for a rare simply particularly serious form of calicivirus known equally hemorrhagic calicivirus. Because there may be an increased adventure of reaction to this particular vaccine, your veterinary will talk over the risks and benefits of its utilize in your true cat. None of these vaccines will completely preclude an infection from occurring if your cat is exposed to the disease, but they volition significantly reduce the severity of the infection and shorten the length of the illness.

All of these vaccines require a booster on a regular ground. Your veterinarian will recommend a booster schedule for your individual cat, typically every one to three years depending on the vaccine and antigen.

Boarding facilities, humane societies, beast shelters, and true cat shows are all places where susceptible cats can be readily exposed to these infectious diseases. Preventing direct contact between your cat and other cats will greatly minimize the chance that your cat will pick up an infection. Following adept sanitation and hygiene practices, such as washing your hands thoroughly before and after petting another true cat, volition farther reduce the likelihood of disease spread betwixt cats.

Are other cats in the household at gamble of infection?

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

"A cat that has an astute upper respiratory infection will exist 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 any infectious diseases. During this time, the true cat should be examined by a veterinarian to ensure it is safe for the cats to brand contact.

Is my family at risk?

Almost of the infectious diseases that cause upper respiratory infections in cats are very species-specific and practice not represent any take chances to people. Bordetella bronchiseptica can, in certain circumstances, crusade illness in people with an immune system disease. There are isolated reports of people who alive in the same household as an affected 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 optics or signs of a respiratory infection while your cat is ill, it would be prudent to consult your physician. Fortunately, these zoonotic infections are extremely rare.