Content
- what is pneumonia
- Causes of Pneumonia in Cats
- Types of Pneumonia in Cats
- Pneumonia symptoms in cats
- Diagnosis of Feline Pneumonia
- Treatment and care at home
Cats are animals sensitive to changes that occur in their environment, so it is necessary that the guardian be aware of any change in their behavior and any strange symptoms that may indicate a situation that causes stress or a case of illness or disease.
The fact that they are so sensitive ends the popular myth that the cat is an animal that has seven lives, as it can be affected by numerous diseases that also attack humans, in addition to those that are typical of felines.
That said, let's talk about the pneumonia in cats. Read on and find out in this PeritoAnimal article the symptoms and treatment if your feline friend has pneumonia.
what is pneumonia
Also called pneumonitis, pneumonia is a disease that attacks the lungs. It consists of inflammation of the pulmonary alveoli and is extremely delicate, both in humans and animals. He can cause pain due to swelling of these vital organs and can be fatal if not treated in a timely and appropriate manner. In addition, when you are experiencing other respiratory illnesses, it is possible to contract pneumonia, which is highly contagious to those around us.
Now how is pneumonia in cats? As for humans, pneumonia can be fatal for the cats. Not only because of the damage it causes to the lungs, but also because it is very common for the cat to refuse to take any food or water, easily falling into severe dehydration.
Although it can affect any feline, it is more common in young animals as their immune system is not yet strengthened; in older animals, as they are weaker; or in homeless cats, because they are exposed to all kinds of bacteria and contagious agents. What to do if my cat has pneumonia? How to proceed? Keep reading.
Causes of Pneumonia in Cats
There are many reasons why a cat may have this disease, and the most common is that it is a bacterial disease, mainly caused by a virus called feline calicivirus. It is a respiratory tract virus that, if not treated in time, can lead to the development of pneumonia.
However, the disease can also arise due to other factors, such as the presence of a foreign body that the cat has breathed and that has lodged in its airways. One poor diet and lacking the nutrients necessary for its healthy development can also contribute to your cat's pneumonia.
Also, the presence of other diseases, such as viral leukemia, makes your cat more likely to develop pneumonia at some point in its life. Likewise, sudden changes in temperature, cold and drafts, as well as situations that cause stress in your furry friend, such as the arrival of another animal in the house, a change of house or changing the location of objects in the house, make it more vulnerable to becoming ill due to the stress derived from these events. Many people may think that it is just a feline flu, but the picture can progress to pneumonia.
That's why you should pay attention to any unusual symptoms or behavior and consult your veterinarian immediately.
Types of Pneumonia in Cats
There are two types of feline pneumonia, which are classified according to the underlying cause. These types are as follows:
- Aspiration pneumonia: some foreign object is embedded in the cat's respiratory tract, either as a result of vomiting or the aspiration of some gastric acid. Because of this, your cat's lungs swell and he needs medical attention. Most commonly, antibiotics and oxygen are given to help you breathe.
- Bacterial pneumonia: it is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the alveoli and lungs, product of the contagion of some bacteria or fungus. If not treated in time, this type of pneumonia in cats can be complicated by the accumulation of pus in the blood due to the development of other bacteria, as the immune system is already very vulnerable.
Pneumonia symptoms in cats
Some symptoms of pneumonia can be similar to flu in cats, such as sneezing and even fever. So it's good to pay attention to any of these symptoms:
- cough and sneezes
- Fever
- breathing noises
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Appetite and weight loss
- difficulty swallowing
- bluish skin
- accelerated breathing
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take your feline friend to the vet immediately so he can be examined and treated, as well as to rule out any serious illness.
Diagnosis of Feline Pneumonia
The veterinarian will perform a series of tests on the cat, including a chest and lung radiography, as this will make it possible to determine the severity of the infection and the state of the organs.
It will also extract samples from the contents of the lungs to analyze whether it is a case of bacterial pneumonia and, if so, determine which is the bacteria. If there is a suspicion of inhalation pneumonia, urine tests and analysis of the esophagus will be performed using an endoscope.
Treatment and care at home
Once you determine that it is indeed a case of feline pneumonia, it is more likely that your furry will need to remain hospitalized for a few days. If the cat is very short of breath, oxygen will be given. Treatment is based on antibiotics, mainly penicillin or amoxicillin. They may also recommend a diuretic to eliminate fluid accumulated in the respiratory tract.
At home, you should keep him hydrated at all times, helping him if he can't drink water on his own. Repeat this care with the food, crushing it and offering it with a syringe, if necessary, as the cat loses weight very quickly when it stops eating. To make it easier, you can book wet ration for him or something he really loves to try to encourage him to eat alone. Otherwise, use the assisted feeding already mentioned.
Likewise, it's important to keep him warm and isolated from other pets, to avoid being disturbed and to prevent possible infections in other pets. The treatment recommended by the veterinarian must be strictly followed with regard to medication, administration time and dose of each.
Every person who lives with a cat knows how difficult it can be to get him to take medicine, but you have to be ingenious to help him. recover quickly. If it's a syrup, try giving it slowly with a syringe, introducing the liquid into the sides of your mouth. If they are pills or lozenges, hiding them in the food is a good option if the cat is able to eat alone. Otherwise, you'll have to put it gently down your throat and distract it from swallowing. No matter what you try, the important thing is that your cat takes the medicine, but remember to be gentle so as not to scare or hurt him.
At chest massage are recommended in cases of respiratory problems, consult your doctor on how to perform them. Let the cat rest and sleep so it can regain strength faster. Watch for any changes or worsenings.
Always remember to check everything with your veterinarian and not self-medicate your pet.
Now that you know everything about the pneumonia in cats, don't miss the video we leave below about the 10 most common diseases in cats:
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Pneumonia in Cats - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment, we recommend that you enter our Respiratory Diseases section.