Introduction
Cats, and especially kittens, seem to be particularly prone to developing respiratory disease, and it is one of the most common disorders that veterinarians see in their feline patients. Respiratory diseases often produce the same symptoms in cats, but there are many different types of feline respiratory diseases.
While there are many different types of respiratory diseases in cats, most of these diseases are grouped under the heading of ‘feline upper respiratory disease complex.’ Due the similarity of respiratory disease symptoms in cats, and in some cases the difficulty with finding the cause of the disease, feline upper respiratory disease complex is a name which is used to identify classic feline respiratory disease symptoms.
Types of Respiratory Infection in Cats
Viral
The most common types of respiratory diseases in cats are caused by the feline herpesvirus, also known as feline rhinotracheitis, and the calicavirus. These viruses lead to respiratory disease, and in some cases a cat, or kitten, may be infected with both of the viruses at the same time. Respiratory disease in cats can also be caused by other types of viruses including feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus.
Fungal
Respiratory disease in cats can also occur due to bacterial or fungal infections. The fungus coccidiomycosis can cause a respiratory disease when it is inhaled, and the bacteria Chlamydia psittaci causes the respiratory disease known as feline pneumonitis to develop.
Allergic
In some cases, allergies that cause feline asthma to occur may also result in respiratory disease. Feline asthma is a condition that can develop if a cat is exposed to a certain type of allergen such as environmental allergens, chemicals, or even food allergies.