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177 results for “feline respiratory infection”
Is Feline Herpesvirus the Same as Cat Flu?
Many owners ask whether feline herpesvirus and cat flu are the same thing. The short answer: herpesvirus is the most common cause of cat flu, but cat flu is not limited to it. Calicivirus, chlamydia, mycoplasma and Bordetella can all produce the syndrome, so 'cat flu' is a group of diseases rather than a single virus. This article clarifies the relationship, how each agent spreads, and how to disinfect your home - bleach at 1:32 dilution and 75% ethanol are effective against these pathogens.
Cat Upper Respiratory Infection: Symptoms and Treatment
A cat upper respiratory infection is inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper airways. Affected cats typically cough, sneeze, and have a runny nose, sometimes with yellow nasal discharge, and a sudden drop in temperature, poor nutrition, or stress can trigger an outbreak. The usual culprits are viruses such as herpesvirus and calicivirus, bacteria such as Chlamydia, and fungi such as Cryptococcus. This article covers the common pathogens, how viral, bacterial, and fungal infections differ in their signs, what else can mimic these symptoms, and the supportive care and medications veterinarians rely on to treat them, from keeping the eyes and nose clear to antiviral, antibiotic, and antifungal therapy.
How Feline Chlamydial Pneumonia Develops
Feline chlamydial pneumonia is a highly contagious but uncommon cat disease, well covered by routine vaccination, so regularly vaccinated cats rarely catch it. It spreads through eye, nose and mouth secretions on shared bowls, cages or hands, and by sneezing. It starts as conjunctivitis and, left untreated, can advance to fever, pneumonia and infections of the airways or reproductive tract. Antibiotic eye ointment and oral antibiotics clear it, but recovered cats still carry and shed the organism, so isolation matters.
Canine and Feline Toxoplasmosis: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, with cats as the definitive host; dogs and cats are often silently infected but can develop respiratory and nervous signs. It is treated with sulfonamide-based anticoccidial therapy.
Feline Lungworm Infection (Aelurostrongylosis): Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Feline lungworm infection is caused by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, which lives in the small bronchi and alveoli of cats and forms lung nodules. It is treated with anthelmintics and respiratory support.
Canine and Feline Trichinellosis: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Trichinellosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Trichinella spiralis, acquired by eating raw meat containing encysted larvae. It can cause intestinal inflammation and painful muscle infection, and is prevented by not feeding raw meat.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a chronic, progressive, and often fatal viral disease of cats caused by a mutated feline coronavirus. It is marked by inflammation of the abdominal lining, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (the 'wet' form), and a high mortality rate. Young cats under 12 months, purebreds, and cats in multi-cat or shelter environments are most at risk.
Feline Calicivirus Infection: Symptoms and Treatment
Feline calicivirus is a common viral cause of upper-respiratory and oral disease in cats, marked by fever, mouth ulcers, and runny nose. It spreads easily and causes high illness rates, but deaths are uncommon except in very young kittens.
Feline Infectious Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpesvirus-1): Symptoms and Treatment
Feline infectious rhinotracheitis, or cat flu caused by feline herpesvirus-1, is a highly contagious upper-respiratory disease. It produces sneezing, eye and nose discharge, conjunctivitis, and fever, and can cause serious eye ulcers and abortion in pregnant cats.
What are the symptoms of feline herpesvirus infection?
FHV-1 starts like a cold - sneezing, cough, nasal discharge - then eye swelling, fever, and later mouth ulcers; treat early.