Mousekateers Respiratory Diseases of the Cat

Upper Respiratory Infections of Cats

Herpesvirus

Calicivirus

Chlamydia

Routes of Infection:

Intimate contact between shedding and susceptible cats. Licking, grooming, sharing food and water bowls.

Kittens can be infected in utero. Most likely age for kittens to acquire the disease is 6 to 12 weeks when weaning from mothers milk.

Intimate contact between shedding and susceptible cats. Licking, grooming, sharing food and water bowls.

Kittens can be infected in utero. Most likely age for kittens to acquire the disease is 6 to 12 weeks when weaning from mothers milk.

Intimate contact between shedding and susceptible cats.
Licking, grooming, sharing food and water bowls.

Kittens can be infected in utero. Most likely age for kittens to acquire the disease is 6 to 12 weeks when weaning from mothers milk.

Symptoms:

Sneezing and nasal discharge,
the nasal discharge thickens gradually.

Fever, decreased appetite, open-mouth breathing, inflammation of the throat and trachea,
conjunctivitis, eye discharge, corneal ulcers, squinting, photo phobia.

Ulcerative keratitis, branching corneal ulcers, and keratoconjunctivitis are characteristic of herpes virus infections.

Oral ulcers, nasal or conjunctival discharges, and may produce pneumonia.

A non-respiratory syndrome of fever, oral ulcers, joint and muscle soreness, hyperesthesia, and limping is also sometimes seen.

Drooling occurs due to ulceration of the tongue and hard palate and mouth ulcers.

Ulcers can also occur on the lips, foot pads, nasal passages, and eyes.

Serous conjunctivitis, initially unilateral, then bilateral, serous (thin) nasal discharge and intermittent sneezing.

Nasal and eye discharges eventually become mucopurulent (thick mucous and pus-like).

Swollen adenexal lymph nodes may occur. Fever occurs very late in the disease.

Ulceration of oral or nasal tissues is very rare in this disease.

Diagnosis:

Usually done on basis of the history and physical exam. Florescent antibody techniques to detect viral antigen on conjunctival scrapings. Oral-pharayngeal, or nasal cultures to detect the virus.

Usually done on basis of the history and physical exam.

Identification of chlamydial inclusions in Wright or Giemsa stained conjunctival epithelial cells. Or by disappearance of symptoms with antibiotic therapy.

Treatment:

Supportive therapy: In the hospital the kitten will receive fluids (water, Pedialyte); formula, (KMR, First Born) via an orogastric feeding tube.

Subcutaneous IV solutions (lactated ringers solution or 5% dextrose water) may be administered for severe dehydration.

A humidifier, oxygen, or nebulization treatments may be used.

Neubulizers deliver microscopic particles of medicine into the lungs through delivering a fine mist. Neubulizers can be used to deliver prescribed antibiotics, bronchodilators, and/or just plain mist to reduce congestion.

Antiviral eye ointment may be prescribed.

Antibiotics are usually given to treat any secondary bacterial infections that may have developed.

Some experienced breeders are able to provide this care at home.

Supportive therapy: In the hospital the kitten will receive fluids (water, Pedialyte); formula, (KMR, First Born) via an orogastric feeding tube.

Subcutaneous IV solutions (lactated ringers solution or 5% dextrose water) may be administered for severe dehydration.

A humidifier, oxygen, or nebulization treatments may be used.

Antiviral eye ointment may be prescribed.

Antibiotics are usually given to treat any secondary bacterial infections that may have developed.

Some experienced breeders are able to provide this care at home.

Antibiotics: Tetracycline and chloramphenicol eye ointment. Supportive therapy if necessary.

Tetracycline and chloramphenicol aren't usually given orally, but can be if infection is severe and the cat is monitored for side effects.

Neither drug can be given orally to pregnant cats. Used very cautiously in kittens.

Tetracycline causes yellow discoloration of the teeth and can cause kidney damage.

Chloramphenicol can cause severe bone marrow depression and anemias.

Other antibiotics such as Amoxicillin, or Clavamox may be prescribed if secondary bacterial infections are present.

Carrier State:

Carrier cats may be asymptomatic or may go through bouts of sneezing.

Shed virus when stressed - periodically.

Detection of carrier state difficult since viral shedding is intermittent.

Carrier cats may be asymptomatic or may have stomatitis (chronic oral ulcers) or gingivitis (gum disease) and periodontal disease.

Shed virus continuously, whether they appear healthy or are symptomatic.

Not known, but considered very unlikely.

Environmental disinfectants:
(Use only as directed)

Bleach, Virkon's S, Nolvasan Solution (Chlorhexidine diacetate)

Bleach, Virkon's S, Nolvasan Solution (Chlorhexidine diacetate

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