Feline Respiratory Infections: Common Diseases & Sympto

Common Nasal Disorders Include:

Nasal allergies are a common inflammation of the nasal mucosa, the lining inside the nose. They can be triggered by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungal pathogens, or parasites, as well as noninfectious conditions like foreign objects, allergies, trauma, dental issues, and environmental irritants. Symptoms often include sneezing and runny nose, and in some cases, the inflammation can spread to the nearby sinuses, leading to sinusitis.

Tumors can also develop within the nose. Most nasal tumors are malignant, such as adenocarcinoma, osteosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Initially, tumors may appear on one side of the nose but can eventually affect both nasal passages. Besides sneezing and runny nose, swelling around the pet's face or eyes may also occur.

Diseases of the throat often present with symptoms like spasms, vomiting, or dry heaves. In rare cases, cats may develop inflammatory polyps in the affected area. Polyps are typically benign soft tissue growths that can occur in the nasal cavity, throat, or behind the eustachian tube. They may obstruct airflow through the nasopharynx and lead to middle ear issues.

Throat disorders frequently cause difficulty breathing or a wheezing sound, which is a highpitched whistling noise that can be heard. These disorders may affect only the throat or other parts of the upper respiratory tract.

Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx, most commonly seen in cases of bronchitis and upper respiratory infections. Symptoms include coughing, runny nose, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, or a noisy, breathy sound.

Brachycephalic syndrome is a condition in shortnosed dogs where several upper respiratory abnormalities occur simultaneously, severely reducing the airway. Dogs with this syndrome may have congenital narrow nostrils, an elongated soft palate that hangs down into the nasopharynx, underdeveloped trachea, a hernia of the vocal cords into the throat (laryngeal everted pouch), and laryngeal paralysis. All these conditions make dogs prone to respiratory difficulties, especially when they are excited, overly active, confined to small spaces, overweight, or exposed to hot and humid environments. Symptoms range from mild, such as noisy breathing, snoring, vomiting, or dry cough, to severe, including respiratory distress, cyanosis, high fever, weakness, collapse, and shock.

Laryngeal paralysis is an acquired disease where the cartilage that controls the opening and closing of the throat becomes paralyzed, preventing the throat from opening properly. Affected pets often exhibit changes in voice (hoarseness, rough bark), noisy breathing, and intolerance to exercise. They may also overheat and become exhausted during respiratory distress.

Polyps and tumors can also occur in the throat.

Tracheal diseases are often associated with symptoms like coughing, respiratory distress, intolerance to exercise, weakness, cyanosis, or fainting. Common tracheal diseases include:

1. Infectious tracheobronchitis is a contagious upper respiratory disease that commonly affects cats that have been in contact with infected cats, such as those in boarding facilities or at cat shows. The disease is usually caused by a mix of viruses (like parainfluenza virus, adenovirus) and bacteria (especially Bordetella). The cough associated with this disease is often loud and may include coughing spasms that sound like choking. After coughing, the pet may vomit or dry heave. The trachea is very sensitive, and any slight manipulation of the neck can trigger coughing spasms.

2. Tracheitis or tracheal inflammation can occur when exposed to irritants like smoke, chemicals, dust, or foreign objects. Certain parasites can also migrate to the trachea, causing inflammation. Tracheitis may occasionally occur after intubation during general anesthesia.

3. Tracheal obstruction may be due to the inhalation of foreign objects, the growth of tracheal tumors, or tumors or masses in surrounding tissues impacting the trachea.

4. Tracheal collapse is a common disease in middleaged cats. In these cats, the mucosal membrane at the top of the tracheal Ccells weakens and stretches, causing the Ccells to collapse and making it difficult for air to enter the lungs. It can occur during excitement, exercise, pressure from collars and leashes on the neck, and while eating or drinking. Coughing spasms, respiratory distress, weakness, and fainting may also occur in these cases.

5. The most common disease in a dog's bronchial tree is bronchitis. Bronchitis is inflammation of the lower respiratory tract and can be caused by infections (like bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma, parasites), irritants (like smoke, dust, foreign objects), allergies, or lung diseases. The most common symptom is usually coughing. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic.