Pneumonia in Cats

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs and airways that can occur in cats for a number of reasons. Today, our vets at Smithfield Road Veterinary Hospital share more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment for pneumonia in cats.

What causes pneumonia in cats?

Bacteria, viruses, and fungal organisms can infiltrate your cat's airways and cause an infection or inflammation that can lead to pneumonia. If your cat gets pneumonia, they will have trouble breathing and will have a lack of oxygen in their blood, which will weaken their immune system.

Cats of any age can develop pneumonia, however, it is most commonly diagnosed in very young kittens, senior cats, or cats with other underlying health problems. Pneumonia can be contracted by cats in a number of different ways:

• Infectious pneumonia in cats results from a viral or bacterial infection in the lungs and airways, this is the most common form of pneumonia seen in cats.
• Aspiration pneumonia in cats is caused by the cat inhaling a foreign material, which leads to irritation of the sensitive lining of the lungs. A common cause of aspiration pneumonia in cats is the 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 the development of 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 are the symptoms of cat pneumonia?

Pneumonia is not always an easy condition to diagnose in cats because many of the symptoms are also associated with other illnesses, such as cat colds. However, if your cat has pneumonia, he or she may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:

Aspiration pneumonia in cats can cause other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, increased heart rate, and vomiting. Whereas fungal pneumonia in cats can lead to eye or skin problems such as runny eyes and skin lesions, as well as lameness. 

Is pneumonia in cats contagious between pets?

Viral and bacterial pneumonia can pass to other cats, dogs, and small animals that come in close contact with your sick cat.

To help prevent the spread of these conditions, keep your sick cat indoors and separated from other pets in your home. Make sure your cat has a comfortable place to rest, a 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 that may be contaminated. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling your sick kitty.

Do cats recover from pneumonia?

If your feline friend is diagnosed with pneumonia your vet will provide treatment to help stabilize your cat's condition and then work to fight the infection.

Treatment for pneumonia may include hospitalization for monitoring, oxygen therapy or a nebulizer treatment to help relieve respiratory symptoms, intravenous fluids to treat dehydration, and broad-spectrum antibiotics or anti-fungal medications, depending on the severity of your cat's symptoms and the type of pneumonia your cat is suffering from.

With treatment, the prognosis for cats suffering from pneumonia is good, however, aspiration pneumonia can be especially 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 all 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.

Do you think that your cat may have pneumonia? Book an appointment for your feline friend today at Smithfield Road Veterinary Hospital, PLLC.