Feline viral respiratory diseases are highly contagious and can be serious and sometimes fatal.These deseases can spread quickly through a cattery or shelter.They are the most common infectious disease problem tht a cat owner is likely to encounter.
There is considerable variation in the severity of illness among affected cats.Some only have mild symptoms while in others he disease is rapidly progresive and sometimes fatal.
Regardless of which viral group is responsible for the infection, the signs are so simillar that they cannot be told apart execpt by virological or serological tests. These special tests are not always available to practitioners in time to be of use in planning treatment.
The disease is transmitted from cat to cat by direct contact with infected sputum,nasal secretions or eye discharges; and by contaminated litter pans and water bowls; by human hands; and sometimes by air-borne droplets. The virus may be stable outside the host for a little as 24 hours or as long as ten days.
Clinical signs usually appear 2-17 days or so after exposure and reach their maximum ten days later. The first signs are fever and bouts of sneexing. This may at first suggest a cold or the flu. Next you may see nasal or eye discharge. First it will be clear but later becomes mucoid signifieing secondary bacterial infection. Open mouth breathing develops in cats with obstruced nasal passages.
Cats suspected of having the disease should be isolated so as not to infect others. Rest and proper humidification of the atmosphere are important items in treatment. Confine your cat in a warm room and use a home vaporizer. A cold steam vaporizer offers some advantage over a heat vaporizer because it is less likely to cause additional breathing problems due to the heat.As dehydration and loss of caloric intake seriously weaken a cat, it is important to encourage oral intake. Feed highly palatable food, or strained baby food diluted with water. Supplemental fluids can be given by cheek pouch.Remove purulent secretions from the eyes, nose and mouth with a moist cotton ball.Nasal congestion can be relieved by useing Afrin Pediatric Nasal Spray.Avoid prolonged use however as it can dry out the mucous membranes.Antibiotics are important in the management of viral respiratory illnesses. They are used to prevent secondary bacterial invaders rather than to treat the respiratory virus which is not sensitive to antibiotics.Chloromycetion or Ampicllin is a good choice.Once the cat begins to eat and drink on his own, the worst of the danger is past.
