Causes of Respiratory Infections in Cats
Dog Breeds
Respiratory infections in cats can be caused by exposure to certain
types of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Viruses and bacteria which cause
respiratory infections in cats are highly contagious, and these
infections can spread rapidly to other cats.
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Introduction
Respiratory infections in cats can be caused by exposure to certain types of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Viruses and bacteria which cause respiratory infections in cats are highly contagious, and these infections can spread rapidly to other cats.
Causes of Respiratory Infection in Cats
Viral Causes
Feline viral rhinotracheitis, and calicavirus, are the two most common causes of respiratory infection in cats. There are multiple strains of these viruses, but vaccination well help to reduce infection rates and the severity of the infection. These contagious viruses can live on clothing, shoes, in the air, and on the skin, and they can pass quickly between unvaccinated cats.
Bacterial Causes
Respiratory infections in cats can also be caused by bacteria. The Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria, and the Chlamydophila felisi bacteria, are the two most common types of bacteria associated with respiratory infections in cats. The Chlamydia bacteria can be very contagious, especially in cats that live in overcrowded conditions. Respiratory infections in cats caused by the Bordetella bacteria were once considered to be rare, but increasing cases of this type of respiratory infection are now being seen especially in catteries and shelters.
Another type of bacteria that can cause respiratory infections in cats are classified as mycoplasmas. These bacteria do not have cell walls, and as a result they are resistant to most antibiotics. This type of bacteria can cause respiratory infections such as chronic bronchial disease and asthma.
Fungal Causes
In very rare cases, cats can become infected with respiratory infections from certain types of fungus, such as coccidiomycosis. Exposure to these fungi can affect a cat’s skin, but in some very unusual cases the fungi have migrated to a cat’s lungs causing severe respiratory infections.
Respiratory infections are most likely to occur in cats with weakened immune systems, and in young kittens that have undeveloped immune systems. These types of infections are also known to affect multi-cat households, outdoor cats, and cats living in catteries and shelties. Infected mothers can also pass the virus to their kittens through their milk.
Preventing Respiratory Infections in Cats
Overview and Facts