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Respiratory Diseases and Problems
Feline upper respiratory tract infections (FRTIs) range from "colds", caused by
various viruses, through to full-blown "cat
flu" caused by Feline Calicivirus (FCV, also
called Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus), Feline
Herpesvirus (FHV) and Chlamydia. Regular
vaccinations protect against cat flu. Cats with
colds or cat flu need supportive treatment. They
can't smell their food and may lose their
appetite. Symptoms include puffy, reddened eyes,
runny eyes and runny nose.
He will probably
snuffle and sneeze and mucus will build up around
his nostrils. Only one of these viruses is theoretically
transmissible between cats and humans - this is
Chlamydia psittaci; it is not a major cause of cat
flu and humans are far more likely to catch it
from infected parrots as psittacosis. It is possibly
transmissible between cats and humans, but in
practice I know of no cases of psittacosis being
caused by cats. However colds and cat flu are
easily transmitted between cats through sneezing
and nasal discharge.
Short-nosed breeds are more likely to suffer
from (or show symptoms of) respiratory tract
ailments as their nasal passages are more easily
clogged up. Older cats tend to have an acquired
immunity to the viruses, however secondary
bacterial infections may be more serious to an
older cat. Warmth, rest and prescription
antibiotics and decongestants are required.
Humidity (steam bath) may ease breathing.
Disinfection of his surroundings removes
infectious snorted-out mucus.
Pneumonia can be a complication of cat-flu and
is usually due to a secondary bacterial infection.
Symptoms are like severe flu and he produces lots
of mucky (yellow/greenish) mucus, either coughed
up or snorted out of the nose. His face becomes
crusty with dried mucus and he will look pretty
miserable. With no sense of smell, he may refuse
to eat or drink and may dehydrate. Force feeding
may be needed. Prognosis depends on his
general state of health.
Diabetes
Diabetes is caused by degeneration of
insulin-producing cells in the pancreas (in the
Islets of Langerhaans to be precise). Decreased
insulin reduces the ability of body cells to take
up glucose (sugar) from the blood; this is Type I
diabetes (diabetes mellitus). It is more common in
middle-aged and older cats and is being diagnosed
more frequently in cats. Whether it is genuinely
on the increase, whether it is more common because
of longevity and/or lifestyle or whether was
previously under-diagnosed or mis-diagnosed is not
known. Obesity is a contributory factor and cats
are becoming progressively more obese due to
living entirely indoors or becoming bored and
inactive.
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