BBVA  Buzzards Bay Veterinary Associates  

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Feline Upper Respiratory Infection

Sneezing, runny nose, runny eyes, coughing, voice change,

 fever and lethargy are the most commonly seen signs of feline URI.

What is feline upper respiratory infection?

Feline upper respiratory infection (or URI) is usually a viral diseased caused by a Herpes or Calici virus.  Feline upper respiratory infection is often a complex of both a virus and a secondary bacterial infection, as bacterial infection commonly occurs with the viral culprits.  In rare cases, there can be a sole bacterial cause with a cat specific species of Chlamydia. URI generally infects the nose, trachea, conjunctiva (eyes) and mouth. Feline URI is not contagious to humans.

What are the signs of feline URI?

Sneezing, runny nose, runny eyes, coughing, voice change, fever and lethargy are the most commonly seen signs. In severe forms of URI; the eyes can become ulcerated and swollen shut; the nose completely plugged, and profuse salivation can be seen in conjunction with sores inside the mouth. Cats with severe disease may stop eating and drinking completely and require hospitalization.

How is feline URI treated?

If the URI is very mild and your cat can continue eating and is able to maintain normal activities, then careful observation may be all that is needed. In some cases,  symptomatic therapy can help the patient feel better. Over the counter antihistamines and nose drops may be recommended by your veterinarian. Steam therapy can help clear airways. Take your cat with you into the bathroom while you take a hot shower. If the nose is very dry or cracked, a small amount of plain petroleum jelly can be applied as needed. Usually the symptoms resolve in 7-14 days.

 If your cat is very lethargic, seems distressed by the signs, has thick green or yellow discharge, has significant decrease in appetite or seems to have more than just small amounts of clear discharge from the eyes, then medical attention is needed.

Although most URIs are caused by viruses, antibiotics are often prescribed since secondary bacterial infections are common. Untreated bacterial infections can lead to severe sinusitis and pneumonia.

Hospitalization for supportive care may be recommended if there are signs of a severe bacterial infection, high fever, dehydration, complete loss of appetite or extreme debilitation. Subcutaneous or IV fluids are given and a feeding tube may be recommended.

 Eye medications are often needed to treat the secondary bacterial conjunctivitis, pain and swelling. Herpes can actually cause corneal ulcers and severe damage to the eye and surrounding tissues. If the eye is severely affected, special anti-viral eye drops may be prescribed. On occasion, referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist is needed.

It is possible that viral URIs may respond to therapy with interferon which is believed to help the immune system. This drug is useful in various conditions of people and is not proven effective in cats but is a very safe treatment.

How can I prevent URI in my cat?

Vaccination greatly helps to protect cats from getting the severe form of the disease. Vaccines do not completely prevent the disease but a well vaccinated cat will generally get a much milder form of the infection and often will not need treatment. Unvaccinated cats can develop such severe disease that it can be life threatening without intensive supportive therapy. Exposure to infected or new cats can cause URI. Even stress can lead to URI. Sometimes these situations are unavoidable but minimizing them can help decrease the risk. If you have handled a strange cat thoroughly wash your hands before touching your cat.

Why does URI sometimes keep coming back?

In some cases re-exposure to the virus is to blame. Cats that frequently come into contact with other new cats (even through a screened window) are at increased risk. Additionally, these viruses do not completely go away after an infection. Cats that have had URI can become carriers for the disease. In times of stress (such as surgery or other systemic disease) the disease can re-surface, this is called viral recrudesence. Sometimes there is no apparent cause for the re-occurrence of the URI. This is especially common for the ocular form of herpes.

It is thought that cats with recurrent herpes can benefit from L-lysine. This is a human amino acid supplement is used to prevent herpes flare-ups and is sold in most drug stores. It is thought that this compound prevents the replication of the virus in your cat’s body. Cats can safely be given 250-500mg twice daily long term for prevention of recrudesence.

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