Welcome!
home> Pet Health>

Common Causes of Cat Cold: Understanding and Prevention

20. December 2024
Common Causes of Feline Cold1. Feline RhinotracheitisFeline rhinotracheitis, a viral respiratory inf

Common Causes of Feline Cold

1. Feline Rhinotracheitis

Feline rhinotracheitis, a viral respiratory infection, is most commonly seen in kittens. Affected cats may exhibit frequent sneezing, increased tearing, and swelling of the conjunctiva. If left untreated, it can lead to lifethreatening situations due to nasal obstruction. To prevent this disease, it's crucial for cats to receive three doses of the Feline Trivalent vaccine and develop antibodies. While supplementing with lysine can help alleviate symptoms, it's often not very effective according to most clinical cases.

2. Feline Calicivirus

One of the most distinctive symptoms of feline calicivirus is ulcers on the tip of the tongue, which can be accompanied by halitosis. In severe cases, cats may develop ulcers on the paws, and the disease can be fatal. However, with early detection and prompt treatment, most cats can recover without complications. For treating ulcers, "Wound Heal Spray" is recommended. For antiinflammatory purposes, oral medications like amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, or doxycycline can be used. For those who can afford it, interferon injections can be administered. Typically, mild infections can be cured with the first two medications within 57 days. Prevention is still the key, with vaccination being the most effective measure.

3. Chlamydia

Chlamydia, also known as psittacosis mycoplasma, is another disease that can affect cats. Common symptoms include tearing and, in more severe cases, conjunctivitis. Unlike other pathogens, cats with chlamydia may not exhibit sneezing during the initial stages. This microorganism is very fragile and does not survive well in the environment, primarily spreading through direct contact between animals. Therefore, it can be easily killed by disinfectants. The main treatment for chlamydia is "Cat Chocolate Cream," which contains doxycycline. It's also important to protect the eyes from secondary bacterial infections. Generally, these diseases only infect kittens under one year old, so regular disinfection and avoiding dusty areas are crucial for prevention.

4. Bordetella bronchiseptica

After a cat is infected with a virus or chlamydia and does not receive timely treatment, it may develop secondary bacterial infections. "Bordetella bronchiseptica" is a common environmental bacterium that often causes secondary infections. It can be transmitted through the nasal and oral passages but does not survive for long in the environment. It can be easily killed by common disinfectants. The primary treatment for Bordetella bronchiseptica is cough suppressants like doxycycline, or stronger medications like doxycycline combined with nebulization therapy for severe cases. Recovery usually takes 57 days. This bacterium is very common and widely present in the cat population, especially in environments with high cat density, such as animal shelters. Overcrowding, stress, and poor hygiene can trigger infections. Regular disinfection with disinfectant solutions can help prevent infections.

Medications for Feline Cold

The main symptoms include sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, and coughing. The typical first symptom is coughing, which indicates that the condition is not simple. For mild coughs, cough suppressants like doxycycline can be used. For severe coughs, stronger medications like doxycycline combined with nebulization therapy are recommended. Recovery usually takes 57 days. Bordetella bronchiseptica is very common and widely present in the cat population, especially in environments with high cat density, such as animal shelters. Overcrowding, stress, and poor hygiene can trigger infections. Regular disinfection with disinfectant solutions can help prevent infections.

Copyright Statement: This image and text are reprinted from the internet, and the copyright belongs to the original author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion。