FELINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX

FELINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX

Cats having the symptoms of excessive lacrimation and often observed to have nasal discharges.  This is a common condition found in multi-cat households and pet facilities.  Do you know that multiple disease agents can cause the common flu that our feline friends can have in their lifetime?

Ocular problems

Rhinosinusitis

Oral ulcerations

THE USUAL SUSPECTS 

We cannot just disregard any "flu"

Commonly seen symptoms of affected cats are sneezing, nasal discharges and ocular discharges.  Some cats would have their eyes closed shut due to swelling of the conjunctiva, appetite would surely go down since they would not be able to smell their food.  Some of the agents have unique features that help your veterinarian arrive at a diagnosis. 

Feline Herpesvirus
Specifically FHV-1.  This viral infection can cause sneezing, fever, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis.  Known infection that can cause inflammation of the cornea or keratitis.  This virus can cause respiratory, integumentary, nervous, and reproductive problems. Known chronic respiratory infections that can block the naso-lacrimal ducts of affected animals

Feline Calicivirus
A common viral infection of cats characterized with mouth ulcerations and respiratory infection. Common in multi-cat facilities. Affected cats will show anorexia and oro-nasal discharges.  Ulceration of the mouth regions like the gums, hard palate, and the tip of the tongue can be observed.  One unique feature also it can cause sudden lameness, probably due to skin lesions within the paws that are affected.

Chlamydophila Felis
A common bacterial infection in cat affecting respiratory system of cats. Rhinitis and severe conjunctivitis are the symptoms commonly observed in multi-cat households.  


Mycoplasma Felis
. Can cause conjunctivitis and pnuemonia. Sneezing can be observed on infected cat.  Usually found in the oral cavity of cats, but these are considered opportunistic pathogens that can harm their host when immunosuppressed or stressed out due to a disease condition


WHAT CAN WE DO?

Identification of the agent involved is best to achieve a specific treatment.  Knowing what the agent involves help us in the treatment and prognosis of your pets. Unfortunately testing for the specific agent is not easy and is not also readily available.   Your veterinarian needs to assess all the factors and weigh in the best possible approach to your pet.  Initial testing that can be done with the aid of radiography.  Chest radiographs is already a big help in the assessment of the severity of the infection.  Complete Blood Counts and Blood Chemistry Panel can help identify organ involvement.

SUPPORTIVE TREATMENT

Active pets with respiratory infection are usually managed and monitored at home.  Veterinarians will instruct you to provide medications at specific hours.  Having a good appetite and the pet being responsive to stimuli usually are the indicators that the pet can be treated as an outpatient.

When presented with a debilitated patient, we start initial treatment to help ease and make breathing more comfortable for the distressed animal.  Veterinarians will recommend gently cleaning clogged nasal passages, dabbing soft cloth/gauze to clean eyes.  Syringe feeding for some is somewhat controversial for some, but for Feline patients, prolonged anorexia is another issue that must be resolved ASAP or risk organ-related problems.  Do not let your pet cat get very weak, understand that observation period of an inappetent cat should not take 3 days.

Cats will not be able to smell their food once they have respiratory infections. 

Some infections can be self-limiting, meaning in few days pet recovers quickly and some can be chronic, meaning recovery taking weeks to months. Anorexic patients will end up having the Intravenous Fluids to address dehydration. Allowing the pet to inhale steam will also provide relief to nasally congested pets.  Wide array of medications are available for treatment of respiratory infections, all will depend on what your Veterinarian will see.


PREVENTION


Vaccination is always the best preventive. 



Herpesvirus and Calicivirus is incorporated in the vaccines for Cats.   Your cat's lifestyle will be a factor on how prone they will be in catching the flu.  Grooming, Boarding, and even living outdoors are to be considered in the formulation of your cat's vaccination program.

See the recommended vaccination program for cats within this site.


RECOMMENDATIONS

Update your pet's vaccination.  We usually observe an increase of viral infections in general during the winter season.  Vaccinations will help your cat mount a defense if ever they will encounter these viruses in their lives. 

Aside from this, provide the Tender Loving Care that they need like good nutrition, proper veterinary attention, and safe environment.  Everything should fall into good place.

SOURCE

The Merck Veterinary Manual. Feline Respiratory Disease Complex. Available at .https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-small-animals/feline-respiratory-disease-complex. Accessed 15 July 2020.