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Client Library Article
FELINE UPPER RESPIRATORY COMPLEX
| Feline Upper
Respiratory Tract Infections |
| Upper
respiratory tract infections are very common in kittens and cats and are
usually easily cleared up unless that cat is immune suppressed with either
feline leukemia (FeLV) and / or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). The
infection can be induced by several different respiratory tract viruses and
complicated with secondary bacterial infection. Upper respiratory tract
infects are highly contagious and spread rapidly through cat populations.
Most cats respond to antibiotics and supportive care and should be isolated
from other cats until signs resolve. All cats with clinical signs of
infection should be screened for FeLV & FIV if a test has not been run
recently. |
| Symptoms |
- Ocular discharge- can be watery, mucoid, or thick green/yellow
colored pus
- Eye lids stuck together with dried discharge
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Lethargy
- Anorexia
- Fever
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| Diagnosis-
Based on clinical signs |
| Most respiratory tract infections are seen in
kittens since immunity is built over time. Blood work is usually
normal although an elevated white blood cell count can be seen with moderate
to severe cases. As with kennel cough complex, progression to
bacterial pneumonia is a possibility, especially cats with FeLV & FIV. Cats that do not respond to treatment should be screened for
FeLV & FIV, and further diagnostics are indicated including chest
radiographs and culture of lung fluid. Chronic infection with lung worms
can present with similar signs to URTI. |
| Treatment |
-
Most mild to moderate cases respond to oral antibiotics, and
topical administration of antibiotic eye medication. At home nursing care
includes cleaning the eyes and nose several times a day, and force feeding
if necessary. All infected cats should be isolated from other cats until
clinical signs (esp sneezing) has resolved.
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Severe cases that do not respond to conservative
therapy require hospitalization, aggressive care (IV fluids &
antibiotics) and further diagnostics. Some cats can develop very high
fevers and severe corneal ulcers. The ulcers need to be treated
aggressively or the eye can rupture causing blindness. Most non-responsive
cases are due to development of secondary bacterial pneumonia.
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| Prognosis |
| Excellent with conservative care at home for most cats with
intact immune systems, fair to poor in cats with FeLV, FIV,
or those who have developed pneumonia or have underlying disease. |
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