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