Pneumonia is a respiratory condition that can have a variety of causes. Here, our vets in Rock Hill discuss the types, causes and symptoms of pneumonia in cats, as well as how your feline friend will recover.
What causes pneumonia in cats?
If certain bacteria, viruses, or fungal organisms enter your cat's nostrils or trachea, they can cause inflammation and infection, resulting in pneumonia. This condition can cause breathing problems and a lack of oxygen in the blood, which weakens the immune system. Although pneumonia can affect cats of any age, it is most commonly found in very young kittens, senior cats, and cats with pre-existing health conditions.
What are the different types of pneumonia?
- Infectious pneumonia: Resulting from a viral or bacterial infection in the lungs and airways; this is the most common form of pneumonia seen in cats.
- Aspiration pneumonia: Aspiration pneumonia in cats is usually caused by inhaling a foreign material that irritates the sensitive lining of their lungs. One common cause of this condition is the incorrect administration of liquid medications or inhaling vomit when the cat is sick.
- Fungal pneumonia: This type of pneumonia in cats begins as a fungal infection and progresses into pneumonia. The inhalation of spores from the soil is believed to be the source of most fungal infections in cats.
- Parasites: In some cases, parasites such as lungworms and flukes can invade a cat's bronchi, leading to pneumonia.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia in cats?
Detecting pneumonia in cats can be difficult as its symptoms are similar to other respiratory infections or cat colds. However, if your cat is suffering from pneumonia, they may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:
- Shallow or labored breathing
- Persistent coughing
- Gurgling or rattling respiratory sounds
- Fever
- Nasal discharge
- Lack of appetite
- Unusually fast breathing rate
- Coughing up mucus or blood
- Bluish mouth
- Lethargy
- Untidy appearance
- Weight loss
Fungal pneumonia can also cause eye or skin problems in cats, including runny eyes, skin lesions, and lameness. Aspiration pneumonia may also cause your cat to have difficulty swallowing, an increase in heart rate, and vomiting.
Is pneumonia contagious to other cats?
If your cat has contracted viral or bacterial pneumonia, they can pass it on to other pets in close contact, such as dogs and small animals. It's best to keep your sick cat separated from other pets in your household to prevent the spread of the virus or bacteria.
You can accomplish this by putting them in a separate room with a comfortable resting area, a clean litter box, and plenty of food and water. To avoid contamination, regularly clean your cat's food and water bowls, litter box, and toys, and thoroughly wash your hands after handling a sick cat.
Can a cat recover from pneumonia?
After diagnosing your cat with pneumonia, your veterinarian will begin internal medicine treatment to help stabilize your cat's condition and fight the infection. Depending on how severe your cat's symptoms are, they may need to be hospitalized for monitoring, receive oxygen therapy or a nebulizer treatment to help ease respiratory symptoms, get intravenous fluids to treat dehydration, and be prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics or anti-fungal medications fight infection.
Fortunately, with treatment, the prognosis for cats with pneumonia is usually favorable. However, aspiration pneumonia is a particularly difficult type of pneumonia to treat and can lead to additional complications later on. The extent to which your cat recovers from pneumonia is determined by the underlying cause of the illness, as well as their overall health and age. If your cat is very young, old, or has a weakened immune system, they may be unable to fight off a severe case of pneumonia.
What antibiotics are used to treat pneumonia in cats?
The antibiotic used will be determined by the cause of the pneumonia as well as the severity of the symptoms. For example, cats infected with B. bronchiseptica (which causes Bordetella infections) may be given doxycycline (orally or intravenously). For cats with systemic illness (e.g., fever, injected mucous membranes, respiratory distress), broader spectrum antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones and penicillins should be considered.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.