Pneumonia in cats: symptoms, danger of the condition, under what conditions treatment is carried out

Causes of pneumonia

Most often, pneumonia in cats is due to 3 reasons. These include:

• bruises or open wounds of the chest;
• infectious (fungal, bacterial, viral) diseases, helminthiases and protozoan infections;
• involuntary ingestion (aspiration) of liquids (medicines, vomit) and foreign objects (insects, small debris).

Separately, it is worth noting pneumonia in a kitten caused by doctor’s negligence. If the baby is prescribed artificial feeding, then incorrect insertion of the tube can injure his lung tissue.

In addition to the main cause, there are also predisposing factors that undermine the animal’s immunity. These include:

• lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet;
• lack of vaccinations and antiparasitic treatment;
• recent surgery, chemotherapy, or long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs;
• untreated diseases;
• neglect of hygiene;
• the presence of allergic reactions;
• hypothermia;
• frequent stress.

Regardless of the cause, the possible consequences are always equally dangerous. They can be avoided if warning signs are detected early.

What it is?

This is a pathology in which inflammation of the lungs and bronchi develops. Very often, the disease “starts” with ordinary bronchitis, but due to untimely treatment (or when it was not carried out at all), the infection descends down the bronchi, and inflammation of the pulmonary parenchyma begins. In 89% of cases, inflammation is associated with the action of pathogenic or conditionally pathogenic microflora. Other predisposing factors are much less common and not so characteristic.

What is “opportunistic” microflora? The fact is that many microorganisms constantly live on the surface of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. They are neither harmful nor beneficial (that is, they do not have a symbiotic effect). When the body experiences serious stress (severe hypothermia), leading to a decrease in resistance, microorganisms are activated and begin to multiply intensively. Inflammation occurs. This is why hypothermia is very dangerous for cats, and you shouldn’t let them out for a walk when it’s well below zero outside.

But, be that as it may, there are other causes of combined inflammation of the lungs and bronchial trunk:

Pre-existing lung diseases (chronic bronchitis, roundworm larvae at the migration stage, systemic mycosis, chest contusion, heartworm infection, constant inhalation of dusty air).

Pulmonary atelectasis. This happens when the lungs are compressed as a result of a violation of the tightness of the chest (trauma), or under the pressure of blood/effusion during pleurisy, pericarditis.

Ingestion of stomach contents into the lungs due to uncontrolled vomiting.

Microbes can enter the lungs from the oral and nasal cavities (gingivitis, other periodontal diseases, chronic rhinitis).

Long-term use of medications that inhibit the body’s defense systems (corticosteroids, for example).

Cushing's disease, ciliary dyskinesia, other hereditary and autoimmune diseases.

Entry of a foreign body into the bronchi.

Cachexia (ultimate stage of exhaustion). In this case, all protective systems are “turned off”; the disease can be caused by anything.

A surgical intervention in which the rules of asepsis and antisepsis were not followed.

Use of unsterilized instruments during animal examination.

Of all the above, aspiration feline bronchopneumonia is quite common. This happens when the animal is not kept on a starvation diet before surgery (any operation, even castration). The specificity of anesthesia is that it “turns off” or distorts some reflexes of the autonomic nervous system, as a result of which the pet may begin to vomit at the most crucial moment.

Symptoms of pathology

The severity of symptoms of pneumonia in cats depends on the form and severity of the disease. It is most difficult to notice changes in chronic pathology characterized by a sluggish course, or at the very early stage. In these cases, the symptoms are slightly different from the common cold. More precisely, the pathology is confirmed by specific signs:

• discharge of serous (serum-like), fibrinous (dense in consistency) or purulent exudate from the nose;
• frequent sneezing;
• breathing problems and wheezing;
• increased heart rate;
• blueness of mucous membranes;
• dry cough, gradually turning into wet;
• loss of consciousness.

A sick pet loses activity and often sleeps. His appetite decreases or completely disappears. The presence of fever is typical only in cases of infection; in other cases, the temperature does not rise above 0.5 °C.

Briefly about the main thing

Instead of output:

• Bronchitis most often occurs in pets with weakened immune systems (for example, vitamin deficiency) and in older animals;
• Cough (vomiting), nasal discharge, lethargy are the main signs of bronchitis, if they occur, contact your veterinarian immediately;
• The sooner you start treatment, the faster your pet’s body will recover and the greater complications will be avoided (for example, bronchial asthma);
• Prevention of bronchitis is to prevent the animal from hypothermia: do not let the cat sleep on a cold tile, do not open windows for a long time in winter, always put warm water on;
• Diagnosis and treatment of bronchitis in cats is possible only in a veterinary clinic - always trust the health of your furry pet to professionals.

Danger of pneumonia

Detection of the disease too late can result in damage to most of the lung tissue. This has a detrimental effect not only on the respiratory system, but also on other related organs that fight infectious intoxication.

At-risk groups

The risk group consists of animals deprived of a balanced diet and comfortable living conditions. These include:

• shelter residents living in small, cold spaces with poor ventilation;
• homeless cats forced to fight daily for food and find a roof over their heads;
• pets weakened by chronic diseases or frequent helminthiases.

The age factor should also be taken into account. The weakest immunity is typical for premature kittens and older pets.

Complications

If signs and symptoms of pneumonia appear in a cat, treatment should not be delayed. Diagnosis in late stages leads to an unfavorable prognosis. Prolonged development of the disease is fraught with chronicity of the process, pulmonary edema and blood poisoning.

The kidneys and liver suffer greatly from intoxication. All these changes are a huge burden on the body of a furry pet. With severe damage to the lung tissue, death is inevitable.

List of drugs, antibiotics and vitamins

An approximate list of drugs, antibiotics and vitamins used in the treatment of pneumonia.

• Cats are usually prescribed cephalosporin antibiotics (eg, Ceftriaxone).

• As an expectorant, you can use the “classics” in the form of plantain or coltsfoot decoction. In addition, cats are allowed to be given Mucaltin, “Cough Tablets” and licorice extract. Drugs that block the cough reflex are prescribed only with the knowledge and approval of the veterinarian!

• Saline solution, glucose and Ringer's solution, and calcium borogluconate are administered intravenously. All these remedies help to quickly relieve intoxication.

• Among multivitamin preparations, we can recommend 8 in 1 Excel Brewer's Yeast, Beaphar Kitty's Mix, "FeliDerm" (AniVital), as well as regular Trivit or Tetravit.

• Dexamethasone is often prescribed to relieve inflammation.

Types of pneumonia

Based on the severity of symptoms and the speed of progression of pneumonia in cats, acute and chronic forms are distinguished. Secondary inflammations include those that arise due to other diseases. If the pathology developed independently, then it is called primary.

Depending on the degree of lung damage, there are 2 forms: lobar and catarrhal. In the first case, inflammation covers most of the lung tissue, and in the second, only a small area.

Due to the inflammatory process, pathology occurs:

1. Aspiration

   . Aspiration pneumonia in cats is not associated with infection. It is caused by chest trauma and inhalation of foreign objects or liquids.

2. Infectious

   . Infectious pneumonia in cats is caused by pathogenic microorganisms: viruses, helminths, bacteria, fungi or protozoan parasites.

The most dangerous forms include bacterial and lobar. If they are detected, artificial ventilation is used to save the animal.

Preventive measures

To protect your cat from this dangerous disease, it is necessary to carry out mandatory vaccinations on time, to prevent hypothermia and to prevent the animal from being in a draft. Make sure that the cat receives a balanced and high-quality diet, with the addition of all the necessary vitamins. Regularly (at least 2 times a year) conduct a complete examination of your pet for the presence of concomitant chronic diseases.

With proper care, the cat remains healthy or goes to a veterinarian in the initial phase of the disease, which is easily treated and ends without harm to health. Irresponsible behavior of a fellinologist can cause the loss of a pet.

The disease occurs due to weakened immunity, occurs in the form of bronchopneumonia and develops at a more accelerated pace than in humans. The critical period for starting treatment for inflammation (inflammatio) of the lungs is considered to be 48 hours after the first symptom is identified.

Accurate diagnosis

Before deciding how to treat pneumonia in a cat, the veterinarian must rule out the presence of pathologies with similar symptoms. A similar clinical picture is typical for pets suffering from calcivirosis, rhinitis, bronchitis, tracheobronchitis and acute tonsillitis. Despite the similarities, the treatment for these diseases is different. Choosing medications on your own can worsen the animal’s condition.

Pathological noises and changes in the boundaries of the affected organ are detected by listening (auscultation) and tapping (percussion) of the chest. This type of examination assesses the physical condition of the lungs.

An x-ray shows a more accurate picture. The veterinarian takes a picture in frontal and lateral projections, which allows one to assess the existing lesions of the lung tissue. The diagnosis is confirmed by identifying a dark spot with blurry boundaries.

The list of mandatory studies also includes blood biochemistry, sputum analysis and bronchial swabs. Based on the results of these tests, the veterinarian confirms the presence of a specific infection. This helps to select drugs aimed at destroying a specific pathogen.

Pathogenesis

The trigger for the onset of the disease can be hypothermia in cats suffering from permanent bronchitis. The alveoli, which are bubbles in which oxygen is absorbed from the air and carbon dioxide is removed from the air, become inflamed and cease to perform the function of gas exchange. Pets that do not receive adequate nutrition become susceptible to bronchopneumonia. Negative environmental factors - keeping a cat in damp or dusty rooms - contribute to the occurrence of pneumonia to a greater extent than hypothermia. Penetration of foreign objects into the respiratory system can provoke the onset of an inflammatory process.

How is pneumonia treated in cats?

Features of treatment and the duration of the recovery period depend on the cause of the disease and the degree of tissue damage. At the initial stage, the animal is treated at home.

If there is extensive damage to the lung tissue, trauma or a foreign body is detected, surgery and artificial ventilation may be necessary. In this case, the pet remains in the hospital until the condition stabilizes.

Veterinarian appointments

In addition to oxygen deprivation, dangerous symptoms include severe exhaustion, fever and complete refusal to eat. In all these cases, the mustachioed patient is provided with first aid in a hospital setting.

If the animal’s condition is unstable or critical, it is important to stabilize it and eliminate the cause of the problems that have arisen. Only after this do doctors begin to restore the lungs, relieve symptoms and stimulate the immune system. Dehydrated and malnourished patients are given intravenous drips. Infusion therapy helps restore strength by bypassing regular feeding.

If a bacterial infection is detected, the patient is prescribed antibiotics (Moxifloxacin, Azithromycin, Levofloxacin, Amoxicillin). To achieve quick results, injection solutions are used. Once in the blood, the active substance immediately reaches the desired organ. The duration of antibiotic therapy ranges from 2 weeks to 1 month. Animals infected with legionella or chlamydia take the longest to treat.

In case of fungal or viral infection, antimycotics or antiviral drugs are prescribed. Helminth infections are treated by taking anthelmintics. If complications occur in other organs, cardiac medications and hepatoprotectors may be required, and in case of edema, diuretics (Furosemide).

During treatment, it is prohibited to use antitussives. They prevent the discharge of sputum, worsening the animal's condition. Mucolytics (Mukaltin, Lazolvan) are used to liquefy it, and expectorants and physiotherapy are used to remove it. Recommended procedures include UHF heating, chest massage and electrophoresis. They are carried out until the cough is eliminated, but are prescribed only after the acute form has been eliminated.

Due to prolonged use of antibiotics, which have a detrimental effect on the immune system, all patients are prescribed immunomodulators (Fosprenil, Gamavit). Particular attention is paid to vitamins B and C. They are administered intramuscularly.

Do not use traditional medicines that are not approved by your doctor. They are effective only in complex therapy and do not eliminate the root cause. Herbal treatment to increase immunity is permissible only in the absence of allergies.

Nutrition and care

A pet with a stable condition and an awakened appetite can be treated at home. He will need a quiet and warm place to recover comfortably. Remember that both drafts and heating devices located too close are equally dangerous for the patient. If the animal is cold, cover it with a blanket or blanket.

Also remember to make sure there is no noise. Place the sick cat in a quiet room and temporarily limit his contact with children.

If you have your own home, then do not let your pet outside during the entire recovery period. Low temperature, which is a provoking factor, can negate treatment. Provide fresh air with regular ventilation and purchase a humidifier.

If there is an increased accumulation of secretions in the bronchi, massage or heating with an infrared lamp is allowed. The veterinarian will clarify the specifics of these procedures.

To restore strength, your mustachioed pet will need a balanced, low-fat diet. Food should be satisfying, but easily digestible. When feeding naturally, focus on foods rich in potassium and vitamins A, B and C.

To reduce the load on the stomach, reduce the usual portions and increase the number of feedings to 6 times a day. Do not forget to monitor the sufficient amount of water, its freshness and temperature - too cold dishes and liquids can aggravate the patient’s condition.

Recovery period

On average, recovery takes from 3 to 6 weeks, but in particularly severe cases it can take up to 2 months. The duration of the rehabilitation period depends on:

• compliance with care and feeding recommendations;
• degree of damage to lung tissue;
• general condition of the patient;
• severity of existing symptoms.

Adjustment or discontinuation of drug therapy is determined using x-rays. The frequency of examinations is individual and agreed with the attending physician.

Symptoms and first signs of the disease

Pneumonia is characterized by the following symptoms and first signs of the disease:

• Cough. In many cases it is initially hard and barky, but subsequently softens to become moist. At the same time, wheezing and gurgling appear in the chest.
• Spontaneous and sharp increase in general body temperature. A fever of a constant or intermittent type is considered typical; temperature “swings” are often observed when the animal alternately becomes hot and then noticeably “cold.” This has an extremely bad effect on the state of the vascular system and old/very young animals can die already at this stage.

• Shortness of breath, hoarse and difficult breathing. Sometimes the cat begins to whistle and snore, reminiscent of a boiling kettle. In severe cases, breathing becomes so difficult that all visible mucous membranes turn blue. In such situations, by the way, it is necessary to urgently call the veterinarian: such severe hypoxia is extremely dangerous and rarely goes away without serious consequences (including for the brain).
• There may be visible enlargement of the subcutaneous lymph nodes.
• The animal refuses food. Thirst, as a rule, either remains at the same level or intensifies.