Upper Respiratory Infection in Cats

An upper respiratory infection in cats is widely prevalent in spring and summer months. As the name suggests, the infection occur in the upper respiratory tract that includes the nose, throat and sinus area. Many people have this question in their mind 'is upper respiratory infections in cats contagious?'. The answer to this question is yes. A cat may get this infection when it comes in close contact with an infected cat. It is transmitted from one cat to another through eye and nasal discharge and oral secretions. It may also spread through indirect contact. This happens as a result of contact with things contaminated by an infected cat like cat bedding, food bowls, cages, clothing, unwashed hands of humans and so on.

Causes

There are many different types of virus and bacteria that can cause this infection. Among them, feline calicivirus (FCV) and feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV) mostly attack cats. Besides, feline chlamydia, a bacterial infection can be responsible for it. These organisms attack those cats which have weakened immune system. For this reason, kittens and elderly cats are at a higher risk of getting this disease. As it is an easily transmissible disease, those cats which lives in animal shelter, cattery and rescue homes often suffer from this infection as these places are overcrowded with cats and do not have proper sanitation. Your pet cat who stays indoors most of the time may get this infection if it comes in contact with some outdoor cats. Poor nutrition, cat health problems and stress in cats often make them more susceptible to this infection.

Symptoms

Usually, symptoms of feline upper respiratory infection do not show up as soon as the cat is infected. It will take a couple of days if not weeks before the signs and symptoms of the infection are observed. A few identifiable symptoms are as follows:

• Repeated sneezing
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Watery nasal discharge
• Cough
• Fever
• Breathing problem
• Lack of appetite
• Gagging and drooling
• Cat eye discharge accompanied by swelling around the eyes.
• Ulcers may develop in and around the mouth.

Treatment

Upper respiratory infection in cats is diagnosed by studying the cat behavior, symptoms and medical history. The main aim of the treatment is to provide relief from the annoying symptoms as early as possible. Nasal decongestants are widely used for providing relief from the congestion. Even though antibiotics are not effective on virus, your vet may still prescribe them to prevent any kind of secondary bacterial infection. Excessive cat eye discharge can be controlled with the help of eye ointments. If the infected cat does not respond well to these treatments and the symptoms turn severe with time, then hospitalization is required.

You can provide a lot of comfort to your sick pet with treatment at home. You should keep the cat inside a steamy bathroom for 15-20 minutes. It should be repeated 2-3 times in a day to clear up the nasal congestion and reduce secretions. Clean up the nose and eyes as and when required. Offer some warm and aromatic foods to them when they are refusing to eat anything. They may prefer liquid food during this time. Cats tend to get dehydrated in this condition. Give them sufficient amount of fluids to keep their body hydrated.

With proper treatment, upper respiratory infection usually subside within 7-10 days. However, those with weak immune system may take longer to recover. Respiratory infection in kittens can be prevented with the help of vaccination. It should be administered when they are 8 -10 weeks old. After 3 - 4 weeks, a booster dose should be given. After that, yearly vaccination is a must as per the guidelines provided by the veterinarian.