What are signs of upper respiratory infection in cats?

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Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Infections in Cats
Why Does My Cat Cough?
How to Treat Respiratory Infection in Cats

Overview of feline upper respiratory infections
It’s true: our feline friends can get colds, too! As is the case with humans, the culprits to blame for these nasty colds are bacteria or viruses, sometimes both.

The bacteria and viruses that most commonly cause upper respiratory infections (URIs) in cats are:

Feline herpesvirus type-1 (FHV-1); also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR)
Feline calicivirus (FVC)
Bordetella bronchiseptica (B. bronchiseptica)
Chlamydophila felis (C. felis)
Less commonly, Mycoplasma spp. (bacteria) or a feline retrovirus, such as FIV or FeLV, are contributing factors in an upper respiratory infection.

Bacteria and viruses are very contagious and are present in the saliva and discharge produced by the eyes and nose. Healthy cats can get infected when they come into direct contact with a sick cat. Cats with retroviruses are especially vulnerable to the contagions, both through direct contact or indirect contact with contaminated objects.

Unfortunately, some of the aforementioned diseases are still present in seemingly recovered cats (carriers) and are unknowingly passed on to other cats. Mothers can also act as carriers, passing on infections to their litters.

Cats that have contracted FVR are considered “chronic carriers,” meaning they will carry the virus for life and can become sick again in times of high stress (moves, new housemates, babies, etc.). About half of the cats infected with FVC will remain infected as carriers, sometimes for a few months after symptoms cease, and, in rare cases, for life.

Symptoms of feline upper respiratory infections
Sniffling, sneezing, clear to pus-like discharge from the eyes and/or nose, coughing and lethargy are common symptoms of an upper respiratory infection in cats. On examination, your veterinarian may also check for oral ulcers, sometimes caused by FVR and FCV. Generally, a fever, poor appetite, and lethargy accompany the more specific symptoms of a URI.

Duration of feline upper respiratory infections
Generally an infection will last for 7–21 days. There is an incubation period, the time period from point of infection to when clinical signs become apparent, of 2–10 days. It is thought that the incubation period is the time of highest contagion.

Diagnosis of feline upper respiratory infections
The clinical signs and symptoms are usually enough to make a diagnosis of feline upper respiratory infection. Diagnostic tests, however, are required to determine the cause of the infection. So your veterinarian may recommend the following tests:

A complete blood count (CBC) to rule out blood-related conditions
Chemistry tests to evaluate kidney, liver, and pancreatic function, as well as sugar levels
Electrolyte tests to ensure your cat isn’t dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte imbalance
Urine tests to screen for urinary tract infection and other disease, and to evaluate the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine
Tests for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

Chronic upper respiratory infections require additional tests, such as radiographs to evaluate the lungs and sinuses, cultures of cells, and microscopic evaluation of discharge.

Treatment of feline upper respiratory infections
Your veterinarian will determine the best treatment course for your cat, which may include specific prescriptions and possible hospitalization, depending on the severity of clinical signs.

For milder infections, your veterinarian may suggest that you try the following:

Increase humidity within your home—this can be done with a humidifier or by taking your cat into a steamy bathroom several times a day for short periods of time (15–20 minutes).
Offer yummy, appetizing cat food—canned food usually smells better to cats and encourages eating.
Clear the eyes and nose of discharge—wipe the eyes and nose with a moistened washcloth to remove discharge that accumulates throughout the day.

Prevention of feline upper respiratory infections
Parents of children will tell you how difficult it is to keep their kids free from colds; it can sometimes be the same with our feline kids. But, as is the case with children, vaccination can protect your cat from the most common causes of and upper respiratory infection: FVR and FVC.

Disinfection is another highly effective way of minimizing environmental exposure. In high- to minimal-risk situations, it is advisable to regularly disinfect shared items such as litter boxes, food bowls, and bedding.

Preventing direct contact between cats is ultimately the best way to avoid infection. If you are bringing home a new cat that has come from a breeder or shelter, it is important to have her visit the veterinarian before introducing her to any cats you currently have. Keep in mind that your new kitty may not yet be showing symptoms, so limited exposure and diligence in cleaning and sanitizing is very important in the first 1–2 weeks after adoption.

How Humans are Affected by a Feline Upper Respiratory Infection
Humans are at low risk for contracting the diseases responsible for causing upper respiratory infections in cats. Most of these infectious agents are species-specific—affecting only the one species—and are not “zoonotic” (spread between species). B. bronchiseptica and conjunctivitis associated with C. felis can be a potential risk to people with lowered immunity. To prevent the chance of infection, wash your hands frequently and be watchful for signs of respiratory illness.

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

Can cats get colds? The answer to this question is both yes and no. Much like humans, cats can contract viruses that cause upper respiratory infections and show many of the same cold symptoms that we do.

However, it’s important to note that you can’t catch a cold from your cat since the viruses that affect felines don’t affect humans. The same holds true in reverse, which means you can’t give your cat a cold either. So, why do cats get upper respiratory infections?

Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Infections in Cats

An upper respiratory infection in cats can look a lot like the common cold in people. Sneezing, runny nose, coughing, congestion, discharge from the eyes, fever, ulcers in the mouth or around the nose and eyes—all signs your cats may have a viral upper respiratory infection.

You may also notice that your cat starts pawing at their nose and mouth, has trouble swallowing, or makes wheezes or choking sounds while trying to breathe.

Behavioral changes, such as a loss of appetite, lethargy, or poor grooming, can also indicate an upper respiratory infection or other illness. Remember that cats have a tendency to mask or hide their symptoms when they’re not feeling well, so it’s helpful to consciously keep an eye out for signs of illnesses like these.

Because it can be difficult to notice when your cat isn’t feeling the best, it is essential that you always schedule a yearly appointment with your cat’s veterinarian. These visits are a prime opportunity for you to bring up any questions or concerns you may have about your pal’s health, behavior, and lifestyle.

Annual check-ups additionally provide your veterinarian a chance to monitor your cat’s overall health. Regular visits allow your veterinarian to monitor any health condition your cat may have. Plus, if a new health problem does arise, then hopefully, it can be caught and treated early on.

Since you can’t get your feline friend a ‘get well soon’ card when they’re sick, why not show them a little extra love by making them some homemade treats. Check out these three simple cat treat recipes.

Why Does My Cat Cough?

Coughing can occur because of the overproduction of mucous, which drains down the throat. However, just because your cat coughs does not mean they have an upper respiratory infection.

Like people, cats can cough for other reasons besides an infection, such as allergies or clearing something from the throat. If you’re concerned about your cat’s cough, see your veterinarian, who can help diagnose the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment.

On a side note, you should know that cats don’t cough because of hairballs. Hairballs develop in the digestive tract, not the respiratory system, and are vomited up. Both vomiting and coughing can cause cats to heave and make similar sounds, so it can be challenging for cat parents to tell the difference.

How to Treat Respiratory Infection in Cats

You should contact your veterinarian at the first signs of a respiratory infection in your cat because feline viruses can lead to pneumonia and other serious problems. Early diagnosis and treatment are important.

The virus is also contagious to other cats in the house, which I’ll get into more detail shortly. If you recognize that your cat is sick and begin treatment sooner, you can have a better chance of preventing it from spreading to other cats in the home.

As mentioned, viruses are the cause of most feline upper respiratory infections, and unfortunately, viruses don’t respond to antibiotics. Antibiotics are only effective for treating bacterial infections, typically indicated by yellow or green discharge from your cat’s nose.

Although viruses can’t be cured with antibiotics, your veterinarian can still help when your cat has a viral infection by treating the symptoms. For instance, your veterinarian may prescribe medication to reduce fever or administer fluids to treat dehydration. They can also make sure there aren’t any other conditions that could prevent or delay recovery from the virus.

In some cases, a cat's upper respiratory infection will run its course in about two to three weeks. During that time, you should follow your veterinarian’s recommendations and do your best to keep your cat comfortable. Here are some suggestions that can help:

Use a warm, wet cloth to gently clean around your cat’s eyes and nose.
Set up a humidifier or run a hot shower to steam up the bathroom and bring your cat in for short periods of time.
Offer lots of tasty cat treats or your feline’s favorite foods to help keep your cat’s appetite up. Soft canned food may be more appetizing to a sick cat—canned tuna is typically a popular choice.
Give your cat lots of opportunities to rest in a warm, quiet, and comfortable place.

Don’t offer your cat any medications without consulting your veterinarian first. Many human medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and sleep aids, are toxic to cats.

Besides being a long-term commitment, cats are also a financial responsibility. Before you become a cat parent, it’s important first to be aware of how much it costs to have a cat.

Prevention

Although you can’t catch an upper respiratory infection from your cat, it is very contagious between felines. If you have an infected cat and other cats in the home, you should take steps to help keep the virus from spreading. For instance:

Make a place for the sick cat in a separate room where they can rest comfortably. Be sure to leave plenty of fresh water and check in to see how your patient is doing.
Put a blanket or towel at the bottom of the door to close the gap and prevent cats from smelling each other or touching paws under the door.
Wash your hands carefully after any interaction with your sick cat.
Keep an extra shirt near the door to put on when you tend to the sick cat. This can help avoid spreading the virus through your clothing.
Clean the food and water bowls, litter box, and carrier of the infected cat thoroughly. It would help if you also washed any bedding they may have used.

While these steps can help prevent the spread of the virus between your cats, viruses can have an incubation period of around two to 14 days. You may not see any symptoms in your cat during this time, but they could still be contagious.

Unfortunately, upper respiratory infections are quite common in cats and usually need veterinary care, such as blood work, medications, IVs, and even hospitalization in more severe cases.

As a cat parent, it may at first seem scary to think about your four-legged friend becoming sick. However, to be a well-prepared pet parent, it never hurts to familiarize yourself with the common symptoms of feline upper respiratory infection. Plus, at the first signs of your cat acting different than normal, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian. Rest assured that with just a little bit of research, you can help keep your pal in tip-top shape.

The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.