Respiratory disease in cats encompasses viral upper respiratory infections (cat flu), chronic rhinitis, asthma, and pleural diseases. Proper management reduces suffering and maintains quality of life for affected cats.
Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV) cause the majority of feline upper respiratory tract infections. Signs include sneezing, ocular discharge, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, oral ulceration (FCV), and fever. Both viruses establish latency—FHV-1 reactivates during stress, causing recurrent disease. Vaccination reduces severity but does not prevent infection. Multi-cat households, shelters, and breeding catteries face highest disease burden. Supportive treatment includes antiviral eye drops (idoxuridine for FHV-1), L-lysine supplementation (evidence mixed), and nursing care.
Chronic rhinitis—persistent nasal discharge, sneezing, and nasal obstruction—often follows severe upper respiratory infections that damage nasal mucosa permanently. Chronic bacterial rhinitis results from secondary bacterial colonisation of damaged tissue. Management includes long-term antibiotics based on culture sensitivity, steam inhalation, saline nasal flushes, and antiviral treatment in FHV-1-associated cases. Quality of life can be significantly compromised by persistent nasal obstruction affecting eating (smell is critical for feline appetite) and sleeping.
Feline asthma (allergic bronchitis) affects 1-5% of cats, causing bronchospasm, airway inflammation, and mucus accumulation. Acute severe asthma attacks cause respiratory emergency—open-mouth breathing, cyanosis, and collapse. Chronic asthma causes coughing, reduced exercise tolerance, and persistent respiratory effort. Management includes corticosteroids (inhaled via aerosol chamber or systemic) and bronchodilators. Environmental allergen reduction—dust-free litter, air purifiers, avoiding aerosols and sprays—reduces trigger exposure.
Fluid accumulation in the pleural space causes severe respiratory distress through lung compression. Causes include chylothorax, pyothorax (empyema), haemothorax, and cardiogenic effusion. Emergency thoracocentesis (fluid drainage) provides immediate welfare relief. Underlying cause treatment determines long-term management—chylothorax may require surgical intervention; pyothorax requires prolonged antibiotic treatment with ongoing drainage; cardiac disease requires ongoing medical management.
Respiratory disease causes significant distress—dyspnoea (difficulty breathing) is among the most frightening and uncomfortable experiences for any animal. Emergency respiratory cases require immediate oxygen supplementation in a calm, quiet environment (oxygen cage if available) before any handling that could worsen respiratory effort. Pain management, where concurrent painful conditions exist, reduces overall welfare burden. Ongoing monitoring of respiratory rate, effort, and posture guides treatment response assessment.