Feline upper-respiratory problems, a frequent occurrence in catteries, are caused by viral or bacterial infections, acting singly or in consort. Diagnosis and treatment of upper respiratory problems are often difficult because the symptoms of infection – sneezing, coughing and nasal discharge – are common to several upper respiratory diseases. Futhermore, analogous symptoms can be produced by allergic reactions to inhaled substances.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)
This herpes-virus infection is one of the most vexing – and most habitual – diseases that affect catteries. The first episode of infection normally lasts several weeks. Reoccurrences last 3-10 days. After recovering from FVR cats continue to shed the virus intermittently from back of the mouth (oropharynx) for many months, thereby posing an infectious threat to healthy cats are most likely to shed herpes virus during times of stress. In addition, queens infected with FVR as kittens may eventually pass the virus to their young.
Symptoms:
Herpes-virus symptoms can be ocular (occurring in the eyes) or systemic (occurring any other part of the body). Ocular symptoms include keratoconjunctivitis, a painful inflammation of the cornea (the transparent outer portion of the coating of the eye) and the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane that covers the surface of the eyeball and that lines the inner surface of the eyelids). Keratoconjunctivitis, which sometimes leads to corneal ulcers in large-eyed breeds, causes a cat to keep his eyes completely or partially closed and to shed tears copiously.
Systemic symptoms of a herpes-virus infection include rhinitis, an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal passage that causes sneezing and runny nose. Some cats afflicted with herpes virus develop chronic rhinitis and/or sinusitis because of permanent damage to the walls of the nasal passages. Herpes virus can also lead to pneumonia, a potential cause of rapid death in very young cats.
Diagnosis:
Herpes-virus infections can be diagnosed by examining nasal, ocular or oral secretions and by checking cell scrapings from the conjunctiva for cellular changes.
Treatment:
Treatments includes antiviral drugs in the form of eye drops, antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections and if necessary, intravenous fluids. In chronic cases the nasal passages can be kept clear with a dose of Neosynephrine or the equivalent administered every other day. Steroids (cortisone) are not recommended because they can reactivate the infection, suppress the immune system and prevent corneal ulcers from healing.
Prevention:
Prevention is best accomplished by vaccination, good cattery hygiene and by avoiding overcrowding in the cattery. (If you have so many cats you cannot give each one fifteen to twenty minutes worth of individual attention each day, your cattery is over-crowded) Because FVR and other upper respiratory infections are spread primarily through direct contact between infected and susceptible cats, breeders/owners should isolate all new cats they acquire, any cats that have just seen shown and cats that have just returned after having been sent out for breeding.
Quarantine should last for at least 2 weeks. Moreover, because upper respiratory viruses are airborne, ventilation that allows 10 air exchanges per hour in the cattery room(s) is essential, so is a reasonably low humidity level and the regular use of disinfectants. The herpes virus can survive only 18-24 hours at room temperature)
Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
Caliciviruses occur in the numerous strains, some which cannot be prevented by vaccinations. Roughly 20% of all cats shed caliciviruses, whose principal victims in catteries are kittens. Caliciviruses are shed in faeces and saliva and are able to survive for 1 or 2 weeks at room temperature.
Symptoms:
These include fever, limping and blisters ranging in size from pinpoint to large and occurring on the palate or tongue. Ulcers may also appear on the lips, nose and limbs. In general, calicivirus infections are milder than FVR infections.
Diagnosis:
Calicivirus infections are diagnosed by examining cultures taken from the throat, nose or eyes.
Treatment:
The best treatment is supportive care, a well balanced diet, plenty of liquids, and a warm environment. A soft-food diet will allow lesions to heal. Chronic cases should be tested for FeLV (Feline Leukemia) and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency) infections.
Prevention:
Vaccination, for those strains of calicivirus for which vaccines are available is the most effective form of preventive treatment, good cattery management, including management if the cattery population is also important.
Chlamydia psittaci
This is another common bacterial infection that often occurs in catteries. Kittens of weaning age (when the immunity they acquire through their mother’s milk is virtually depleted) are the primary victims. They are usually infected through contact with other adult cats or older kittens, the chlamydia psittaci bacteria is transmitted in faeces and in discharges from the eyes and nose. Cats that recover from a chlamydia psittaci infection may become carriers, and because they often do not develop strong immunity to the disease, they are subject to reoccurring infections.
Symptoms:
The primary symptom is conjunctivitis in one or both eyes. Severe conjunctivitis of the unopened eyes of newborn kittens is also possible. Very young kittens (2-4 weeks old) may develop pneumonia, which is nearly fatal. Evidence of a respiratory problem is not readily evident in such cases. The kitten seems to die for no apparent cause. Chlamydia may also cause reproductive problems and abortions in pregnant queens.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of chlamydia can be made by examining conjunctival scrapings or through an immunological test (IFA test).
Treatment:
Tetracycline or its derivatives is the best treatment for chlamydial infections. The treatment time may be long and it should be continued for 2 weeks after the disappearance of any observable symptoms.
Prevention:
Preventive measures include vaccinations and good cattery hygiene. Do not vaccinate pregnant queens, however, or allow other recently vaccinated cats to come into contact with pregnant queens. This contact could cause abortions.
Mycoplasma
This is another bacterial infection common in catteries. It is transmitted in ocular discharges from infected cats. Cats that recover from a mycoplasma infection may become carriers.
Symptoms:
Symptoms are mainly ocular and consist of a mildly painful conjunctivitis in one or both eyes. Symptoms usually develop when kittens are about 3 or 4 weeks old. Mycoplasma infections may induce abortions in pregnant queens.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is made by examining conjunctival scrapings or cultures taken from affected cats.
Treatment:
As is the case with chlamydia infections, tetracyclines or their derivatives are the best treatment for chlamydial infections. These treatments last for 2 weeks. Tetracycline is static for this bacteria, e.g. it does not destroy bacteria cells; it impedes their ability to synthesize protein, thereby causing a slowing or stoppage of the bacteria’s replication. Thus a cat’s immune system must cooperate in warding off the infection.
Prevention:
There is no mycoplasma vaccine presently available, so good cattery hygiene and avoiding overcrowding in the cattery are vital.
Although the symptoms of upper-respiratory infections are similar, treatments of these diseases differ. If you suspect a problem with your cats, do not attempt treatment without first getting a confirmed diagnosis and treatment recommendations from your vet. Prevention, as always is the best medicine. Therefore, you should make vaccinations a routine part of your normal cattery hygiene.
Taken from FIFE news
