Respiratory Problems,
Cat Flu and Asthma

Feline Respiratory Disease (Cat Flu)
Most cases are caused by one of two viruses: feline viral rhinotracheitis and feline calcivirus.

They are contagious and can be spread breathing in infected droplets or through shared food bowls or litter box. Viral rhinotracheitis is the more serious disease, with symptoms that include apathy, fever, lack of appetite, sneezing, difficulty breathing and large amounts of secretion from the eyes and nose. There may be painful ulcers in the mouth that cause excessive salivation and difficulty eating. Even when recovered, the can harbor the virus up to eleven months. Others have a recurring rhinitis. Symptoms of the calcivirus are similar but more moderate.

• Another cause of problems is chlamydea, and infection caused by and organism, which is a hybrid of a virus and a bacteria. It causes moderate symptoms, like conjunctivitis and nasal secretion.
• Treatment: cat flu can be fatal, specially in kittens; so take your cat to a veterinarian as soon as symptoms appear. Antibiotics and a antihistamines will be prescribes. Isolate the cat from other pets and warn other cat owners to stay away until the infection completely disappears. Good care at home is essential. Keep the nose and eyes clean with warm water and salt. Watch carefully the cats respiration, if it has difficulty, seek help of a veterinarian. There are vaccination to protect against cat flu and chlamydea.

Asthma
As with humans, asthma in a cat is cause by an allergic reaction to inhaled substances: pollen, house dust and mites.

• Symptoms: gasping and coughing.
• Treatment: your veterinarian will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids for your cat.

Lung Parasites
This minute parasite can find its way into the lungs of cats in rural areas. It is not common and the infection usually passes without notice.

• Treatment: the cat can cough and expel the parasites, if not a veterinarian can prescribe a specific medicine.

2CheckOut.com Inc. (Ohio, USA) is an authorized retailer for goods and services provided by Kitty Cat Houses .com