Types of Cat Pneumonia & Causes
Pneumonia is a condition that occurs when inflammation or infection causes the air sacs of the lungs to fill with fluid or pus. Various bacteria, viruses, or fungal organisms can invade your kitty's airways and lead to an infection or inflammation resulting in pneumonia.
If your cat develops pneumonia they will experience breathing difficulties and oxygen deficiency in the blood, which can weaken their immune system.
Pneumonia can strike cats of any age but is most commonly diagnosed in very young kittens, senior cats, or cats with other underlying health problems. Pneumonia in cats can take various forms:
- Infectious pneumonia in cats results from a viral or bacterial infection in the lungs and airways. This form of pneumonia in cats is contagious between felines and is the most common form of pneumonia seen in cats.
- Aspiration pneumonia in cats is caused by the cat inhaling a foreign material, which irritates the sensitive lining of the lungs. A common cause of aspiration pneumonia in cats is improper administration of liquid medications, or the inhalation of vomit if the cat is sick.
- Fungal pneumonia in cats (also called mycotic pneumonia) begins as a fungal infection that progresses into pneumonia. The inhalation of spores from the soil is believed to be the source of most fungal infections in cats.
- Parasites such as lungworms and flukes can invade the cat's air passages and result in pneumonia.
What symptoms of cat pneumonia should I watch for?
Pneumonia can be a challenging condition to diagnose in cats since many symptoms of pneumonia are also associated with other respiratory conditions such as cat colds. That said, if your kitty is suffering from any of the types of pneumonia mentioned above they may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Coughing up mucus or blood
- Gurgling or rattling respiratory sounds
- Nasal discharge
- Lack of appetite
- Fever
- Bluish mouth
- Shallow or labored breathing
- Unusually fast breathing rate
- Persistent coughing
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Untidy appearance
Aspiration pneumonia in cats can cause other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, increased heart rate and vomiting.
Fungal pneumonia in cats can lead to eye, skin, and other health problems problems, such as runny eyes, skin lesions, and even lameness.
If your cat is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above urgent veterinary care is required. Contact your vet to book an urgent appointment. Delaying care could cause symptoms to become more severe and complications to develop.
Is pneumonia in cats contagious between pets?
Viral and bacterial pneumonia can be passed to other cats, dogs, and small animals that come in close contact with your sick kitty.
If your cat has pneumonia keep them indoors and separate from other pets as they recover to help prevent the spread of these conditions. Provide your cat with a comfy place to rest, a fresh clean litter box, and plenty of food and water.
Your cat's food and water bowls should be cleaned frequently, as well as their litter box, and toys which may be contaminated. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling your sick kitty.
Will my cat recover from pneumonia?
If your feline family member is diagnosed with pneumonia your vet will provide treatment to help stabilize your cat's condition, then work to fight the infection.
Based on the severity of your cat's symptoms and the type of pneumonia your cat is suffering from, treatment for pneumonia may include hospitalization for monitoring, oxygen therapy or a nebulizer treatment to help ease respiratory symptoms, as well as intravenous fluids to treat dehydration, and broad-spectrum antibiotics or anti-fungal medications.
With treatment, the prognosis for cats suffering from pneumonia is good, however, aspiration pneumonia can be very difficult to treat and often leads to further health complications.
The underlying cause of your cat's pneumonia, as well as your pet's overall health and age, will play a role in how well your cat recovers from pneumonia. Sadly, very old cats, young kittens, and immunocompromised cats may not be strong enough to battle 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.