We will investigate other causes of these signs like dental disease, polyps, fungal infections, masses, etc.What causes a feline upper respiratory infection?įeline upper respiratory infection (URI) is the common term for a respiratory infection caused by one or more viral or bacterial agents. URI signs are not specific to the above infections. Please check with your veterinarian before starting any home treatments.įor cats that have chronic URI symptoms, further work up is needed. Keep the eyes and nose clean by wiping the area with warm water a few times a day. Saline drops or medicated nose drops can also be used if needed. Keeping a humidifier on or allowing your cat to spend time in a steamy bathroom can help keep the nasal passages moist. Topical or oral anti-viral medication can be used to help speed up the recovery process. Antibiotics are only effective if a bacterial or secondary bacterial infection is present as they have no efficacy against viruses. For more serious infections, your cat may need medications and even hospitalization to get them through the URI. If the signs are mild, and your cat is eating we often monitor and allow the signs to resolve on their own. ![]() It is important to make sure your cat is eating and staying hydrated while sick. Some cats may take longer, or become chronically symptomatic. ![]() Most infections will resolve in 7-10 days. The best resource for information on what causes stress in cats and how to help is found here:įor cats with symptoms of an URI, symptomatic treatment is often effective. We can help reduce our cats stress in many ways. Cats can experience stress from many different sources- being indoors, living in a multi-cat household, access to resources is limited, other cats coming into their field of vision outside, change in routine, etc. Stress reduction can prevent the outbreak of URIs. Vaccination can reduce the severity of the symptoms and the length of illness with an URI. Cats get a booster 1 year after the initial series then every 3 years. Adult cats should receive 2 vaccines 3-4 weeks apart if their vaccine history is unknown or they were never vaccinated before. Kittens should have a series of FVRCP vaccines starting between 6-8 weeks and given every 3-4 weeks until they are older than 16 weeks of age. The FVRCP vaccine contains FHV-1 and FCV viruses. The bacteria can be shed long after the signs of the URI have resolved. Transmission is through direct contact, and can even spread from infected dogs to cats.
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