Feline Upper Respiratory Infection-URI is akin to coughs and colds we experience as humans. Cat upper respiratory disease is one of the most prevalent feline ailments. Felines that have shared dwelling places with infected cats tend to be infected with URI.
URIs are extremely rare and usually go away within one to three weeks. Supportive care is the most common kind of treatment.
Know that URI is not a death sentence for cats. Therefore, if you think your cat has an upper respiratory infection (URI), the good news is that the condition will go away with time, and treatment will not be expensive.
As pet parents, we cannot agree more that one of the most challenging issues is our pets’ inability to convey what is wrong with them in the same way that a regular human baby can. Keeping a close eye on a cat can help early detection of URI.
The unfortunate aspect of URI in cats is that if it is not given attention, certain upper respiratory illnesses can progress to pneumonitis or cause other significant issues such as eyesight or severe respiratory issues.
What Can Cause a Cat to Get an Upper Respiratory Infection?
Susceptible cats can contract the disease through direct contact with an infected cat or environmental exposure to infectious secretions-contaminated things such as food and drink containers, litter trays, toys, and beds.
Cats who live in crowded environments, such as shelters or breeding facilities, are prone to upper respiratory infections.
Risk Factors for Cat Upper Respiratory Infection
Other lifestyle factors for upper respiratory infections in cats, in addition to exposure to infective cats and crowded settings, include:
- Age. Infections are more common in kittens and elderly cats.
- Vaccination status of the cat
- The physical state of the cat.
- Stress.
- Cat breeds, notably hairless and shorthaired cats.
- Taking indoor cats outside exposes them to diseased and unvaccinated cats.
Can a Cat Survive Upper Respiratory Infection?
With extra gentle care and time, most upper respiratory infections in cats will go away. More severe infections may necessitate therapy or even hospitalization.
A runny nose kitty that is still consuming, active, and feeling great can be monitored for a few days as a general guideline.
While most cats recover from URIs, they can be severe in some cases, and recovery from severe infections can take weeks. Some cats may have an irreversible nasal injury and persistent or recurring nasal discharge.
Airway blockage, dehydration, or starvation are the most common causes of death in cats with URI.
The cat continues to discharge the infection for several months after recovery, potentially infecting other cats. Unless properly vaccinated, recovered cats may be vulnerable to re-infection soon.
Can Cats Spread Upper Respiratory Infections to Other Cats?
While URI in cats cannot be transmitted to humans, it is highly contagious among cats. If you live with an infected cat and other cats, you should prevent the virus from spreading. Isolating the diseased cat from other cats is recommended until the illness signs have passed.
Common Symptoms of URI in Cat
1. Watery eyes with discharge accumulated in the corners of their eyes, producing
minor pain is a common URI symptom in cats.
2. Sneezing
3. Coughing
4. Breathing Problems
5. Apparent refusal to eat and drink due to a loss of appetite.
What Is the Duration of a Cat’s Upper Respiratory Infection?
A URI’s symptoms can persist anywhere from 4 to 21 days. Schedule an appointment to have your cat re-examined if symptoms do not improve after two weeks.
While some of these symptoms aren’t life-threatening, others may necessitate a trip to the veterinarian if they persist for an extended period or are negatively impacting your cat’s health.
Home Remedies for Cat Upper Respiratory Infection Treatment
Caring for an ailing pet is no pleasure for any responsible pet owner. You’re not only wishing for a means to stop the suffering, but you’re also worried about the vet expenditures.
Take the following steps before rushing to the vet.
1. Provide it with a pleasant, secluded resting area: During an upper respiratory illness, cats should be kept calm and comfortable.
2. Wipe any mucus from its nose and eyes gently. To begin, soak a clean cloth in a saline solution. To avoid harm, carefully confine your cat, and wipe away any substance you discover around their eyes with the towel. Make the process a routine for a while to ensure timely recovery.
Wiping the nose will simplify opening and closing their eyes, but it will also give the cat a fresh and clean experience when it lacks energy for self-grooming.
3. If your cat’s breathing is a concern, your veterinarian may recommend placing him in a washroom with a warm bathtub faucet. Steam to ensure nasal clearance and relieve stress that can lead to headaches.
Breathing problems in cats can indicate a loss of smell sense, and cats rely on their sense of smell to feed and hunt. The cat might lose interest in eating if it has a URI. Loss of smell sense can lead to more severe issues in the future, such as excessive weight loss, kidney problems, and more.
4. A drier can often aid in the relief of congestion.
5. Encourage your cat to eat: Most cat owners will agree that their feline companions rarely go hungry. On the other hand, cats usually lose their appetite when they have URIs because their capacity to taste their food before eating is impaired.
All cats have this inherent tendency. If a cat isn’t feeling well or can’t smell properly, it can often refuse to eat. You may need to momentarily substitute an appealing meal for the food you regularly eat.
Warm food, which has a more pungent odor, can assist your cat in resuming its standard eating patterns. They should soon be able to eat on their own again after a few days of heating their food.
6. Complete unwillingness to drink: This is when things start to become serious. If your cat refuses to drink and appears to be dehydrated, it’s time to contact your veterinarian.
Cats require a few ounces of water each day, and if they refuse for more than 24 hours, they must become dehydrated.
7. If you can’t get in touch with your veterinarian, administer an over-the-counter antibiotic like doxycycline– (at a dose of 5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours or 10 mg/kg orally every 24 hours) for seven to ten days.
Monitoring your cat’s grooming is another thing you’ll need to watch. Because your cat may spend more time resting than bathing, a stuffy nose can lead to a sticky paw and a dirty bed.
Stay with him since just being with you will make him feel better. Shut the door and develop ways to keep your cat engaged – treats, toys, etc. Invest some extra time cleaning them and ensuring their bedding is kept clean.
Put saline on a warm towel and softly clean your cat’s nose and feet, much like you would with their runny eyes.
Need to Contact Your Vet
An upper respiratory infection might take 7-21 days to clear completely. If the symptoms last longer or worsen, take your cat to the veterinarian.
The cat’s condition may require respiratory therapy, supplemental oxygen aid, and medication.