The good news is that just like you and me, when a cat has a respiratory infection, they will usually get over it in a few days with no treatment. Some cats sneeze a little, while others develop more severe symptoms and become depressed, run a fever and even stop eating before they get well. Occasionally, cats develop bacterial infections (green or yellow discharge from the eyes or nose), which can be a little gross, but can usually be taken care of with antibiotics.
We make every effort to keep our cats healthy and free from disease, but we do currently have a high incident rate. We test all cats for feline leukemia and deworm and vaccinate them. We keep their environment as clean and stress-free as possible. Despite our best efforts, however, most cats develop colds in the shelter. This problem in not unique to our shelter; in fact, colds (also known as “kitty cold”/ UR I/upper respiratory infections) represent the single largest infectious disease in shelters nationwide.
We do not believe a cat should be euthanized just because of this. Instead, we try to nurse the cats through their sickness. We hope that you understand and will help us care for these cats and kittens. It would be a shame not to offer them up for adoption simply because they are ill. Just as in people, respiratory illnesses are not usually life-threatening.
For kitties with respiratory illnesses, the best medicine is rest, TLC and time. Never give a cat Tylenol or other “people medications” – they are toxic to cats. Keep runny noses and eyes clean from discharge by wiping with a clean warm wet cloth. Feed your cat smelly, moist cat food; cats with a stuffy nose may not eat because they cannot smell. A moist food with a strong fishy smell often stimulates the appetite and is easy on sore throats. Most importantly, follow the advice of your veterinarian.
Feline upper respiratory disease is an umbrella term for any number of viral and bacterial infections that cause sneezing, nasal discharge, runny/swollen eyes, couch, oral or nasal ulcers, chronic gingivitis, sniffles and fever, or any combination of these symptoms.
All of the possible agents that cause upper respiratory infection are highly contagious, meaning they are spread easily from cat to cat. The disease spreads similar to the common cold in the human world. It can be caught through direct or indirect contact. The viruses can live on things such as food bowls, bedding, and toys for weeks, making it very easy to spread from sick to healthy cats. People who come into contact with sick cats (i.e., veterinary professionals, shelter staff or animal control officers) can also easily spread the disease on to their own cats through contact with their clothing, shoes and hands.
A high percentage of cats are exposed at a young age (as kittens) and may harbour these infections for life, but never show symptoms. It is also important to note that cats can be contagious, even if they are not showing symptoms. Cats that are at higher risk for infection are those that come into contact with many other cats in a shelter, boarding facility or pet store, those that go outside, or cats whose vaccinations are not up to date.
Your new cat will have had at least one vaccine given by shelter staff called FVRCP which will vaccinate him/her against feline viral rhinotracheitis (aka herpes virus) and calicivirus, the two most common causes of feline upper respiratory infections. The vaccine also provides protection from Panleukopenia, commonly called feline distemper. This vaccine should be given twice to adult cats and three times to kittens, each vaccine is given 3-4 weeks apart, and then every 1-3years afterwards (depending on what brand of vaccine is used).
The vaccine will help your cat’s immune system fight off infection with the two most common causes of URI. However, it cannot be guaranteed that he/she did not have a URI prior to arriving at the shelter that may flair up later in life. Also, there are many other agents that can cause infection that your cat can still be vulnerable to.
Your veterinarian will tell you when this vaccine needs to be repeated with a booster shot, as well as when other vaccines (rabies virus and feline leukemia) are due. All cats should be kept current with their vaccines.
Just as important as vaccination is helping support your cat’s immune system. If your cat has a healthy, strong immune system he/she will be better equipped to fight off any infections – new or old. During your first vet visit with your new cat, you should discuss a supplement called L-lysine. L-lysine has been proven to reduce the severity of URI and prevent future flair ups, especially when caused by the herpes virus. It is good to provide this supplement for the first month-6 weeks as the move to a new home can be quite stressful and cause reoccurrence. Lastly, ensuring your cat eats a high-quality diet will help keep their immune system working well.
Most URI will clear on their own, but sometimes it can be serious. You should consult your veterinarian immediately if your cat shows any URI signs and one or more of the following indicators:
