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The cat has pneumonia symptoms. How to recognize pneumonia in a cat and how to treat it? Hydra mirrors link

Pneumonia in cats, like in humans, is a fairly serious disease. With timely treatment and avoidance of complications, the outcome is often favorable.

Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs. Pneumonia in cats is most often caused by infection. The disease occurs when the animal is hypothermic when eating frozen food. Cats with acute or chronic bronchitis are at risk. Keeping cats in damp, cold rooms creates a favorable environment for the occurrence of lung diseases.

Pneumonia is classified:

Viral pneumonia. Develops as a complication against the background of a viral infection of a cat.

Bacterial pneumonia. Develops as a complication against the background of a bacterial infection.

Fungal pneumonia. Caused by fungal microflora.

The main symptoms of pneumonia in a cat

The symptoms of pneumonia in cats are not very specific. In the first stages, the cat is observed, then the body temperature may rise sharply, noticeable weakness appears, breathing becomes heavy and frequent. Sometimes your cat may develop a runny nose.

Throughout the entire period of illness, the cat refuses to eat, while thirst noticeably increases. The animal is constantly depressed and shows no interest in life. In severe forms of pneumonia, your pet may develop a fever. In such cases, you certainly cannot hesitate and the most correct thing would be to take the animal to a veterinary clinic.

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Initial appointment Repeated appointment	One animal One animal
Veterinarian consultation
Consultation with a doctor based on test results
Doctor's consultation, without pet

Tactics for treating pneumonia in cats at the Bio-Vet clinic

A favorable treatment outcome primarily depends on a correct diagnosis and determination of the form of pneumonia. Treatment is individual in each case.

Self-medication is unacceptable in the treatment of pneumonia. All treatment must be under the supervision of a veterinarian.

By contacting our specialists at the Bio-vet clinic, you can count on our doctors to do everything possible to save your animal.

A healthy cat that is properly kept, eats, regularly visits the veterinarian for examinations and revaccinations does not get sick at all, or the disease is “caught” at a very early stage and quickly eliminated. One of the serious and dangerous diseases that can arise out of the blue is pneumonia in cats. The main cause of the disease is a decrease in immunity, which is not always noticeable and can be overlooked even by experienced breeders.

Pneumonia in animals develops and progresses much faster than in humans. Time spent on improper treatment and waiting in the spirit of “maybe it will go away on its own” costs the animal’s life. If you suspect pneumonia and the appearance of the first acute symptoms, you cannot wait more than 48 hours.

The lungs, in simple terms, consist of semi-bubbles - alveoli, which are shrouded in a thin film penetrated by the finest vessels and capillaries. The alveoli are responsible for gas exchange in the body - enriching the blood with oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. Pneumonia primarily affects the walls of the lungs – the alveoli.

The nature of infection is most often bacterial. Globally, there are:

Typical pneumonia– is caused by one of the known strains of the virus and is treated with targeted antibiotics.

Atypical pneumonia– a disease caused by an unknown virus is treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and general supportive immunotherapy.

Caused by non-bacterial and viral causes– entry of a foreign object into the respiratory tract, injury.

Read also: Cat cough: causes and treatment methods

Pneumonia is an active process of inflammation; it is preceded by an incubation period, which can be detected and stopped.

Each pneumonia experienced leaves a “trace” of irreversibly damaged alveoli. The theory that a living creature is not able to survive pneumonia more than 3 times is a myth, however, lung damage should not be underestimated.

Main causes of pneumonia in cats

We have already named the main cause of the disease - weakened immunity. Pneumonia is most often a complication and not an independent disease.

Possible reasons are divided into:

Complication after acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections.

Progression of bronchitis.

Lack of vitamins, metabolic disorders, blood diseases, diabetes.

Long stay in the cold.

Frequently bathing or getting the animal wet in the rain.

Drafts.

Eating frozen food or drinking cold water.

The entry of a foreign object or contaminated water into the respiratory tract causes a general inflammatory process, which, as it develops, “sinks” into the lungs.

Signs of a cat suffering from pneumonia and the severity of the disease

Pneumonia can develop in a sharp and slowly progressive form, it all depends on the general condition of the body. A healthy animal that “caught” a cold in a draft will fight the disease. An elderly, chronically ill cat can be overcome by the disease within 24 hours.

The main signs of pneumonia in a cat, occurring in the “standard” form:

An increase in temperature of 1–2 °C or fever, the norm is from 37.5 to 39 depending on the size, temperament and physical health of the cat.

The cough is rare and dry in the early stages, but as it progresses it becomes moist and with sputum.

The nose is dry and hot.

Discharge from the nose and eyes is transparent and homogeneous. In advanced stages with an unpleasant odor, interspersed with pus.

Wheezing or wheezing can be heard with a stethoscope when exhaling.

Weight loss, poor appetite.

Apathy, loss of activity, increased sleep time.

If you refuse water, it will happen quickly and is clearly noticeable by the condition of the skin and coat.

Treatment of pneumonia in a cat

For an accurate diagnosis, a detailed blood test is taken from the cat, the chest is listened to, the temperature is measured and an x-ray is taken. Depending on the severity and prognosis, treatment measures are prescribed:

Hospitalization - for young individuals with immunodeficiency, with severe weight loss or acute parallel occurrence of another disease.

Treatment at home - in the initial stages, in a stable condition.

Surgical intervention - cutting off part of the lung when foreign objects enter, an atypical pathogen that is not susceptible to the effects of standard medications.

How to treat pneumonia in cats is determined after taking a history and determining the severity of the disease. In the initial stages, the animal is treated at home:

1. Maintaining peace and cleanliness.

2. Additional heating if required.

3. The constant presence of warm drinks and easily digestible high-calorie foods rich in protein.

4. Complex administration of antimicrobial drugs (antibiotics) in the form of tablets or injections.

One of the most common groups of diseases in pets is diseases of the respiratory system. Among them, pneumonia in cats is of particular importance. This serious inflammatory pathology in the lungs requires immediate treatment and prevention of all kinds of complications. The owner’s task is to promptly recognize the signs of illness and urgently take the pet to a veterinary specialist.

Classification of the disease

Pneumonia is an infectious disease of the lungs, accompanied by complete intoxication of the body. It can occur in acute, subacute and chronic forms. A distinction is made between primary and secondary pneumonia, i.e. caused by a specific pathogen or arising against the background of a viral infection.

There are several types of disease:

Pneumonia in cats is divided into several types. In addition, there are such dangerous types of the disease as serous, purulent and lobar pneumonia.

Symptoms of pneumonia

When pneumonia is at the beginning of its development, its symptoms in a cat are not very pronounced, and the owner may miss the disease if he is not attentive enough to his four-legged friend. Therefore, the first symptoms and treatment of pneumonia in cats in most cases do not begin at the same time - therapy lags somewhat behind. After 2-3 days, the symptoms of pneumonia become vivid, and it is no longer possible not to notice them.

Pneumonia in a cat is manifested by the following signs::

persistent thirst;
hot dry nose;
temperature rise to 41 o;
increased heart rate;
rapid breathing;
lacrimation;
drooling – does not always happen;
profuse purulent discharge from the nose, having a sharp, extremely unpleasant odor;
cough is dry or wet;
rapid exhaustion;
unhealthy coat appearance.

Pneumonia develops quickly, and the cat’s condition worsens before our eyes, so you should visit a veterinary hospital without delay. Any delay in treating pneumonia can cost the death of your pet.

Diagnostics

Treatment of pneumonia, regardless of the cause of the disease, is always comprehensive. Veterinarians almost always prescribe antibiotics, antipyretics, expectorants, diuretics, immunostimulants and cardiac medications to their mustachioed patients. Vitamins and hepatoprotectors will probably come in handy as they will support the body, exhausted by the abundance of drugs taken orally.

If the treatment is carried out at home, the owner should consider the following:

All doctor's instructions must be followed strictly. Sometimes it may take 3 to 6 weeks for an animal to completely heal from pneumonia, but unauthorized cessation of treatment can lead to dire consequences;
The house where there is a cat with pneumonia should be moderately warm. Any drafts must be eliminated;
If the air in the room is too dry, it makes sense to ventilate the home more often (the animal should be taken to the room where the windows are closed during this time). Another option is to buy a humidifier;
The diet of a cat with pneumonia should be low in fats and carbohydrates, but high in calcium and vitamins A, C, B;
Food for cats with pneumonia is served warm, steamed or boiled, preferably with a porridge-like consistency. During the treatment period, animals are fed in small portions 6 times a day;
You should not limit a cat with pneumonia to water. Only the drink must be lukewarm (cold water cannot be given from a tap or refrigerator);
To enhance coughing, cats are recommended to have a light massage consisting of moderate tapping of the sternum with your fingertips.

Prevention:

Get your vaccinations up to date, especially against respiratory infections.
Avoid hypothermia or prolonged exposure to cold or drafts.
Strengthen your immune system by regularly taking courses of vitamin therapy.
Provide your pet with proper and nutritious nutrition.
Conduct a full examination of the cat for the presence of chronic diseases of the internal organs.

How owners can further help

To help your pet recover, just follow these simple rules:

Attempting self-medication is strongly discouraged.
It is important to follow all the veterinarian’s instructions, despite the fact that treatment may take from 3 weeks to 1.5 months. Do not make any independent adjustments to the therapeutic regimen and do not interrupt courses of taking medications without instructions from a specialist.
Provide your pet with rest, high-quality, nutritious and balanced food during treatment, and protect him from potential stress.
If there is a decrease or absence of appetite, forced feeding of semi-liquid food, high in protein and easily digestible, is indicated.
Do not give your cat cold water or cold food.
Do a light tapping massage of the chest.
During the treatment period, try not to overload the cat with games, so as not to provoke shortness of breath, increased fatigue and oxygen starvation.

Pneumonia in cats is a quite serious disease and is not so rare. Not only an old, weakened animal can catch pneumonia. One difficulty is that this pathological condition is not easy to diagnose, so most often the animal dies from the lack of appropriate therapeutic care. The most important predisposing factors are considered to be hypothermia and poor nutrition, therefore the group at increased risk for morbidity includes:

weak, premature offspring;
cats from shelters with overcrowded conditions;
stray animals;
weakened individuals after any illness, plus the elderly.

Pneumonia can lead to various consequences and disruptions in the functioning of not only the lower, but also the upper respiratory tract. The worst consequence is death.

Main symptoms of lung problems

The very first symptoms are not specific and are often not noticed by cat owners:

lethargy, apathy, inactivity;
decreased appetite;
sluggish response to nickname;
The cat sleeps constantly, sometimes tries to hide in a secluded place.

These are all common signs of ill health. Within 1-3 days, the condition usually worsens and pneumonia in cats acquires bright and specific symptoms:

a sharp rise in temperature to 40-41°C, accompanied by a hot and dry nose (atypical pneumonia can be without fever);
noticeable and almost constant thirst;
the fur becomes ruffled, its smoothness and shine decreases;
feverish state with increased heart rate and respiratory rate;
the appearance of nasal discharge (from mucous to purulent with an unpleasant odor);
sometimes watery eyes and excessive salivation;
cough (dry, sharply barking, turning into wet);
on auscultation (listening to the lungs) hard, labored breathing, whistling, wheezing;
pulmonary edema due to heart failure (a fairly rare symptom in cats, but clearly pronounced);
sudden noticeable weight loss;
some time after the appearance of an obvious clinical picture of pneumonia, the mucous membranes change color to bluish-pale (due to a lack of oxygen against the background of developing pulmonary failure).

It should be noted that the pathology develops very quickly, so the condition worsens literally before our eyes. A visit to the veterinarian should not be postponed under any circumstances, because... The worst consequence of pneumonia is the death of your pet!

What does an x-ray show?

When examining any pathologies of the lower respiratory tract, radiography is considered the most informative and reliable diagnostic method. X-rays of the lungs in cats with pneumonia are always done in two projections - on the side and on the stomach.

The images are read only by a radiologist. The slightest changes in the lung tissue, fluid effusion, compaction are clearly visible, the degree of lung damage, the location of the inflammatory focus and its spread are determined.

It is recommended to carry out several x-ray procedures over time at certain intervals after the start of therapy due to the fact that the fight against pneumonia in animals can take up to one and a half months.

What causes pathology and how is it classified?

Pneumonia is a pathological condition in which an animal has difficulty breathing due to pulmonary edema and narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi due to accumulated pus and fluid. Viruses and bacteria complicate the process, and the following factors can initially provoke the inflammatory process:

complications due to any respiratory infections, bronchitis;
chest bruises, injuries, hematomas;
infection by lung helminths;
decreased immunity for any reason;
hypothermia for a long time, reaction to drafts;
hypothermia after swimming with prolonged exposure to wet hair;
cold drinking water or food;
inhaling something foreign.

By the nature of the pathogen, pneumonia is provoked;

Bacterial pneumonia

It is caused by bacteria and is considered the most common form. When sputum is cultured to identify bacteria, Pasteurella spp. is most often isolated. and Bordetella bronch. In addition, cats have a chlamydia form with the specific pathogen Chlamydophila psittaci.

The name speaks for itself - when infected with worms, this particular form of pathology develops. Most often, roundworms are involved in this, less often - capillaries (Capillaria aerophila) or nematodes (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus). In newborn offspring, the pathology is incurable; infection occurs in utero.

Viral pneumonia

The most difficult form to diagnose, caused by a viral infection. It rarely occurs as an independent disease; most often it occurs as a complication against the background of other infections - for example, calicivirosis and rhinotracheitis. Roto- and coronaviruses act as pathogens. Often complicated by bacteria.

Fungal infection

It can be an independent disease, or it can occur as a complication of the main one. Most often these are cryptococcosis and aspergillosis. It is very difficult to diagnose and takes the longest to treat.

Aspiration pneumonia

Appears when a foreign object enters the respiratory tract. The most common cause of this situation is improper artificial feeding of kittens, when food particles are inhaled, as well as incorrect use of liquid forms of intranasal medications. Also, such pneumonia can develop when inhaling droplets of fine chemical liquids.

It is possible to distinguish one from the other only by blood tests with sputum cultures to isolate the pathogen. Considering the severity of the disease and the rate of progression, a blood test is indicated immediately upon contacting the clinic. It determines the presence of inflammation and its nature.

Therapy for pneumonia

Pneumonia in cats can be treated over a long period of time and only comprehensively. It is important to accurately determine the diagnosis. Owners should know what diagnostic procedures a veterinarian performs to accurately determine pneumonia. Before deciding how to treat pneumonia, in a veterinary clinic the following is carried out:

inspection and thermometry;
listening to the lungs with a phonendoscope;
auscultation (tapping the chest - convenient and informative for large cats);
ordering a blood test;
conducting a sputum smear;
X-ray.

Treatment is carried out according to the following scheme (all information is given for informational purposes only and cannot be used as a direct guide to action):

Depending on the pathogen, the following are prescribed:

antibiotics (amoxicillin, clindamycin, levofloxacin, ceftriaxone, azithromycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, etc. - approximate dosages can be found here). Ideally, if a culture is done and the sensitivity of the bacteria to the antibacterial agent is determined. However, in most cases there is simply no time for this due to the rarely worsening condition, so broad-spectrum antibiotics and sulfonamides are prescribed in therapeutic doses;
antimycotics (antifungal agents):

anthelmintics in therapeutic doses (according to individual instructions for each drug);
antiviral drugs:

Immunomodulators:

Drugs that dilute sputum and facilitate its release (duration is determined individually in each case):

In severe cases of the disease, diuretics (furosemide, veroshpiron/spironolactone) may be prescribed to relieve an attack of pulmonary edema, removing excess fluid to facilitate breathing. The dosage is always selected individually and only by a specialist, depending on the results of the examination and the state of the cardiovascular system.
If heart failure develops against the background of oxygen starvation, the work of the heart must be supported:

Vitamin preparations for general maintenance of the body - the emphasis is mainly on vitamins C (despite the fact that it is synthesized in cats in the body), D and A or injectable multivitamins:

Nutritional drips may be indicated if a sick animal refuses food and water. You should not drip solutions if you suspect pulmonary edema, because the injected liquids are not absorbed by the body and provoke new swelling.
It is better to use veterinary antipyretics, which are least likely to cause side effects:

Bronchodilators - to dilate the bronchi, heart and brain vessels and facilitate breathing during spasms and attacks of pulmonary failure.

How owners can further help

To help your pet recover, just follow these simple rules:

Attempting self-medication is strongly discouraged.
It is important to follow all the veterinarian’s instructions, despite the fact that treatment may take from 3 weeks to 1.5 months. Do not make any independent adjustments to the therapeutic regimen and do not interrupt courses of taking medications without instructions from a specialist.
Provide your pet with rest, high-quality, nutritious and balanced food during treatment, and protect him from potential stress.
If there is a decrease or absence of appetite, forced feeding of semi-liquid food, high in protein and easily digestible, is indicated.
Do not give your cat cold water or cold food.
Do a light tapping massage of the chest.
During the treatment period, try not to overload the cat with games, so as not to provoke shortness of breath, increased fatigue and oxygen starvation.