What is cat URI?
Upper respiratory infection (URI) in cats refers to a contagious viral or bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, throat, sinuses and trachea. It is one of the most common feline diseases seen by veterinarians.
Common symptoms of URI in cats include:
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing
- Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye membranes)
- Ulcers in the mouth
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
The main causes of feline URI are viral pathogens like feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, and feline viral rhinotracheitis. Secondary bacterial infections can also occur with common pathogens like Chlamydophila felis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Mycoplasma felis. Stress, poor ventilation, and overcrowding are risk factors that can trigger outbreaks.
Sources:
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-upper-respiratory-infection
- https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/respiratory-infections
How is cat URI transmitted?
Cat URI is highly contagious and spreads easily through direct contact between cats (1). The viruses and bacteria that cause URI are transmitted through sneezing, coughing, and nasal discharge from infected cats. URIs can also spread through shared food bowls, water bowls, and litter boxes. The viruses can survive in the environment for several days, allowing for transmission without direct cat-to-cat contact (2). Cats in crowded, stressful environments like shelters are at the highest risk of contracting URI.
The most common causes of cat URI are the feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, Chlamydophila felis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica. The feline herpesvirus and calicivirus are the primary viral causes, while C. felis and B. bronchiseptica are the most common bacterial agents. These pathogens infect the upper respiratory tract, causing inflammation, nasal discharge, sneezing, and ulcers in the mouth (3).
In summary, cat URI is spread through direct contact and aerosolized droplets from infected cats. The viruses and bacteria that cause URI replicate in the nasal passages and throat, allowing transmission through sneezes and coughs. URI is highly contagious among cats in close contact.
Sources:
(1) https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/respiratory/upper-respiratory-infection-cats
(2) https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-upper-respiratory-infection
(3) https://icatcare.org/advice/cat-flu-upper-respiratory-infection/
Can cat URI be transmitted to dogs?
While dogs and cats can share some bacterial causes of upper respiratory infections like Bordetella bronchiseptica, the viral pathogens are species-specific and cannot cross infect between cats and dogs (1). Feline herpesvirus-1, feline calicivirus, and feline Chlamydia psittaci – common causes of cat URI – cannot be transmitted to canine patients.
However, the bacterial pathogen Bordetella bronchiseptica is very contagious and can spread between cats and dogs. Cats and dogs with Bordetella infections tend to be asymptomatic carriers showing few signs of illness. But Bordetella can still be readily transmitted through sneezing, coughing, and nasal discharge (2).
So while viral causes of feline URI pose little risk to canine household members, secondary Bordetella infections are zoonotic and dogs should be monitored for any signs of respiratory illness if a housemate cat develops URI.
Risk factors for transmission
Certain environments and life stages can increase a cat’s risk of transmitting URI to dogs. The most common risk factors include:
Multi-pet households – Homes with multiple pets, especially both cats and dogs, provide more opportunity for cross-species transmission through shared food bowls, bedding, and close contact. Viruses can be easily passed between cats and then to dogs in these settings.
Shelters/boarding facilities – Groups of cats housed together in shelters, rescues, and boarding facilities have very high rates of URI transmission. New intakes are especially vulnerable. The viruses can then spread to dogs being housed or working at these facilities. Proper isolation and sanitation protocols are essential in these environments (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6025414/).
Young and elderly pets – Kittens and geriatric cats tend to have weaker immune systems, making them more prone to infection and shedding viruses. Puppies and senior dogs are also at higher risk of URI when exposed (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-upper-respiratory-infection). Keeping vulnerable pets separated from infected cats can help prevent transmission.
Preventing Cross-Species Transmission
It’s important to take proper precautions to avoid the spread of cat URI to dogs. According to experts, the most effective ways to prevent cross-species transmission of URI include:
Separating sick cats from dogs. Keep any cats showing signs of URI isolated in a separate room away from dogs. Avoid allowing infected cats to interact directly with dogs when possible.
Practicing proper hygiene like handwashing. Thoroughly wash hands after touching infected cats before interacting with dogs. Cat URI bacteria can linger on surfaces and skin and be easily passed between animals via human contact.
Cleaning bowls, bedding, litterboxes. Routinely disinfect food and water bowls used by sick cats. Replace litter frequently and disinfect litterboxes daily. Wash bedding and any toys/surfaces touched by infected cats.
By separating sick cats, ensuring diligent hygiene, and disinfecting contaminated items, pet owners can greatly reduce the chances of cat URI jumping species and infecting dogs in the same household.
Signs of URI in dogs
The main signs of URI in dogs include:
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing
Dogs with URI may also exhibit:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
According to the American Kennel Club (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/upper-respiratory-infections-dogs-need-know/), these are common symptoms of upper respiratory infections in dogs. The sneezing, nasal discharge, and coughing are typical respiratory signs, while the fever, fatigue, and appetite changes indicate the dog is feeling under the weather.
Diagnosing URI in dogs
If a dog is showing signs of an upper respiratory infection like nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing or breathing issues, the vet will perform a full physical exam focusing on the head, nose and throat area. They will look for any abnormalities in the eyes, nasal passages, mouth and throat that could indicate an infection.
The vet may take samples of the nasal discharge to examine under a microscope or send for bacterial culture to identify the type of bacteria involved. They can also do specific testing for viruses like canine influenza and canine adenovirus type 2, two common causes of canine URI. X-rays or other imaging may be used to look for any abnormalities in the lungs or airways (1).
These diagnostic tests along with the physical exam help the vet determine if the dog has an upper respiratory infection, the severity of the infection, and the best treatment approach.
Treating URI in dogs
The treatment for URI in dogs depends on the underlying cause of the infection. If bacteria are causing the URI, antibiotics may be prescribed. According to the AKC, doxycycline is a commonly prescribed antibiotic for bacterial URI in dogs [1]. Other antibiotics like azithromycin may also be used if doxycycline is not an option [2].
However, most cases of URI are caused by viruses, for which antibiotics are not effective. In these cases, treatment is focused on providing supportive care to relieve symptoms while the dog’s immune system fights off the infection. This can include rest, ensuring adequate fluid intake, humidifying the air to ease breathing difficulties, and medications to reduce fever, coughing, or nasal congestion.
Regardless of the cause, it’s important to follow up with the veterinarian as recommended to monitor the dog’s recovery and response to treatment.
Prevention Tips
There are several ways to help prevent dogs from contracting cat URI:
Get dogs vaccinated against Bordetella. The Bordetella vaccine helps protect against kennel cough, which is one cause of URI in dogs. Vaccination helps reduce the risk of infection. Consult with your veterinarian about the recommended Bordetella vaccination schedule for your dog (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/upper-respiratory-infections-dogs-need-know/).
Limit your dog’s exposure to infected cats. Since cat URI can spread to dogs, it’s best to keep dogs separated from any cats showing signs of URI. This includes keeping dogs out of rooms in the home where infected cats are isolated.
Practice proper hygiene. Wash your hands after handling infected cats before interacting with your dog. Clean food bowls, toys, and other items thoroughly if both cats and dogs share them. Keeping a clean environment helps prevent spread of URIs between species.
When to see the vet
If your dog is showing persistent signs of upper respiratory infection (URI) beyond a few days, it’s time to see the vet. Chronic URI symptoms like coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge and fever can indicate a more serious infection or underlying condition. Your vet can do additional tests to properly diagnose and treat the issue.
You should also contact your vet promptly if you suspect your dog caught URI from another pet in your home or at daycare/boarding facilities. Viruses like canine influenza and kennel cough spread quickly between dogs, so notifying your vet can help contain the outbreak. Your vet may recommend quarantining your dog and having any exposed dogs examined. They can also provide medication to help treat contagious URI in dogs.
Seeing your vet is crucial for diagnosing the specific URI agent and preventing it from turning into pneumonia or other complications. Call your vet whenever your dog shows URI symptoms beyond a couple days or you have concerns about disease transmission. Prompt treatment can help your dog recover quickly and stop the spread of contagious URI.