Cats’ lungs and airways can become inflamed and pneumonia may develop for numerous reasons. In this post, our Baltimore vets discuss the causes, symptoms and treatment options for pneumonia in cats.
What causes pneumonia in cats?
If fungal organisms, bacteria or viruses enter your cat’s airways and nostrils, inflammation or an infection can develop and lead to pneumonia. This condition can cause challenges with breathing and oxygen deficiency in the blood, which can weaken your cat’s immune system.
While cats of any age can be diagnosed with pneumonia, it appears most often in very young kittens, cats with underlying health conditions or senior cats. Cats can contract pneumonia in several ways:
Infectious Pneumonia
Infectious pneumonia is the most common form of pneumonia seen in cats. It can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection in the lungs and airways.
Aspiration Pneumonia
If your cat has inhaled foreign material, the sensitive lining of the lungs can become irritated. Improper administration of liquid medications or inhalation of vomit (if your cat is sick) are common causes of this type of pneumonia.
Fungal Pneumonia (also known as mycotic pneumonia)
It’s possible for a fungal infection to progress and become fungal pneumonia. In cats, the source of most fungal infections is believed to be inhalation of spores from the soil.
Parasites
In some cases, parasites such as lungworms and flukes may get into the cat’s air passages and cause pneumonia.
How can I tell if my cat has pneumonia?
Pneumonia is not always easily detectable in cats as many of the symptoms are also associated with other illnesses, including other respiratory infections such as cat colds. Nonetheless, your cat may exhibit one or more of these symptoms if they are suffering from pneumonia:
- Rattling or gurgling respiratory sounds
- Lack of appetite
- Bluish mouth
- Fever
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing up blood or mucus
- Labored or shallow breathing
- Persistent coughing
- Untidy appearance
- Lethargy
- Unusually fast rate of breathing
- Weight loss
Other symptoms such as vomiting, increased heart rate and difficulty swallowing may also appear with aspiration pneumonia. Cats with fungal pneumonia may also display symptoms such as problems with their skin or eyes, such as skin lesions, runny eyes and lameness.
Can cats contract pneumonia from other cats?
Cats suffering from bacterial or viral pneumonia can pass the infection on to other cats, small animals and dogs they come into close contact with.
To help prevent pneumonia from spreading, keep your sick cat separated from other pets in your home by containing them in a separate but comfortable room. Offer your sick cat a comfortable place to rest, plenty of food and water, and a clean, fresh litter box.
Your cat’s litter box, in addition to their toys, water and food bowls, should be cleaned frequently. You should also wash your hands thoroughly after handling or petting your ill cat.
Will my cat recover from pneumonia?
If your cat is diagnosed with pneumonia, your vet will start treatment to stabilize your cat’s condition and begin to fight the infection.
Based on how severe your cat’s symptoms are, treatment can potentially include hospitalization for close monitoring, a nebulizer treatment to help ease respiratory symptoms, oxygen therapy and intravenous fluids to treat dehydration. They may also receive antifungal medications or broad-spectrum antibiotics to help fight the infection.
The prognosis is generally good for cats that receive treatment for pneumonia early enough. However, aspiration pneumonia is particularly challenging to treat and may lead to further complications later in life. Your cat’s general health, age and the underlying cause of illness will all factor into how well your cat recovers from pneumonia.
Sadly, cats that are immunocompromised, very old, or very young may not be strong enough to defeat a severe case of pneumonia.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.