What is URI in Cats?
Upper respiratory infection (URI) refers to an inflammatory condition affecting the upper respiratory tract of cats (the nose, throat, sinuses, and sometimes eyes). It is a common feline illness caused by viral or bacterial infections, similar to the common cold in humans. URI often occurs when cats are stressed or immunocompromised.
Common symptoms of URI include:
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing
- Congestion
- Eye discharge
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy
URI is highly contagious and spreads easily between cats through direct contact or airborne droplets from sneezing and coughing. The viruses and bacteria can also spread on surfaces like food bowls, litter boxes, toys, and bedding. Shelters, boarding facilities, and multi-cat households are especially prone to URI outbreaks.
What Causes URI in Cats?
The most common causes of upper respiratory infections (URI) in cats are viral and bacterial infections. Some of the main pathogens include:
- Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) – This virus causes feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), the most common viral cause of URI in cats. FHV-1 spreads through direct contact with infected mucus, saliva, or eye and nasal secretions. It can be transmitted from mother cats to kittens and through shared food bowls, litter boxes, and grooming items. URI caused by FHV-1 can reoccur when cats are stressed or immunocompromised (Source 1).
- Feline calicivirus (FCV) – Another major viral cause of cat URI. It spreads similarly through saliva and respiratory secretions. Cats can carry and spread FCV without showing symptoms (Source 2).
- Bordetella bronchiseptica – This common bacteria can be found in nasal passages of healthy cats, but lead to URI if cats are stressed or immunocompromised. It spreads by contact with respiratory discharges and is often associated with shelter environments (Source 3).
Risk factors that make cats more prone to developing URI include: young kittens, crowded living conditions, chronic illness, poor nutrition, and stress. Proper vaccination, nutrition, sanitation, and reducing stress can help prevent URI in cats.
Is URI in Cats Fatal?
URI can be fatal in some cases, but the mortality rate is generally low, around 5-10% according to veterinarians (1). With prompt veterinary care and proper treatment, most cats can recover fully from URI.
There are certain factors that can lead to a fatal outcome with URI:
- Not seeking veterinary care – Left untreated, URI can progress to pneumonia or other secondary infections that become increasingly dangerous (2).
- Underlying illness – Cats with weakened immune systems due to old age, FIV, FeLV or other conditions are at higher risk of developing severe pneumonia.
- Not finishing prescribed antibiotics – Stopping antibiotics early can allow the infection to return in a resistant form.
- Dehydration – URI often causes decreased appetite and cats can become dehydrated. Fluids and nutritional support are key.
Veterinarians have a number of treatments available to prevent URI from becoming fatal:
- Antibiotics tailored to the specific pathogen to resolve the infection.
- Anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling and open airways.
- Nebulization to deliver medications directly into the lungs.
- Fluids and nutritional support for dehydration and appetite loss.
- Monitoring and care in severe cases that become hospitalized.
While URI can sometimes be serious, veterinary intervention can successfully treat the infection in most cats.
(1) https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-upper-respiratory-infection
(2) https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/respiratory/upper-respiratory-infection-cats
How is URI Diagnosed?
URI is diagnosed through a combination of a veterinary exam, assessing symptoms, and diagnostic testing. When a cat presents with symptoms like sneezing, coughing, eye/nose discharge, the vet will first do a physical exam. They will check the cat’s eyes, nose, throat, ears, and lymph nodes for any abnormalities. The color and consistency of any discharge will be noted as well. This initial exam gives the vet an idea of what type of infection may be present.
After the physical exam, the vet will run diagnostic tests to identify the specific cause of infection. Common tests include:
- Nasal swabs and cultures to look for bacterial or fungal organisms.
- Bloodwork to check white blood cell levels.
- Chest X-rays to see if the lungs are affected.
- Biopsies of abnormal tissues.
Based on the exam findings and test results, the vet can determine the type of organisms causing the URI and prescribe appropriate treatment.
It’s important for cat owners to closely observe symptoms and monitor any changes while the infection runs its course. Tracking details like the color/amount of discharge, presence of breathing issues, appetite changes and more helps vets evaluate how the URI is progressing.
How is URI Treated?
Treatment for URI in cats usually involves medications prescribed by a veterinarian. The most common medications used are antibiotics like doxycycline, azithromycin, or clavamox. These help fight bacterial infections that may be causing or complicating the URI.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, “Most cats with an uncomplicated upper respiratory infection can be treated symptomatically at home. Your veterinarian may prescribe an eye medication if your cat has conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) associated with the infection” https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-upper-respiratory-infection.
Other supportive care from the vet may include:
- Fluid therapy to prevent dehydration
- Nutritional support if the cat is not eating
- Nebulization to help open airways
Cats with more severe URI symptoms may need to be hospitalized for more intensive monitoring and treatment. But less severe, uncomplicated cases can often be managed at home with medications and TLC.
Home Care for Cats with URI
Cats with URI can often be cared for at home while they recover. Here are some tips for keeping your cat comfortable and preventing the infection from spreading to other pets:
Make sure your cat has a warm, quiet place to rest. Provide soft bedding in a spare room or bathroom. Keep food, water, and a litter box nearby so your cat doesn’t have to exert itself.
Encourage your cat to eat by offering smelly, tasty foods like tuna, chicken, or salmon. Hand feeding small amounts frequently may stimulate appetite. Make sure fresh water is always available. Subcutaneous fluids from your vet can help with hydration.
Gently wipe discharge from your cat’s eyes and nose using cotton balls moistened with warm water. This can help them breathe and see more comfortably.
Limit contact between infected cats and other pets to avoid disease spread. Wash hands thoroughly after handling the sick cat. Disinfect food bowls, litter boxes, and bedding daily.[1]
Monitor your cat’s symptoms and appetite closely. Seek prompt veterinary care if their condition seems to worsen.
Preventing URI in Cats
Prevention is the best way to protect cats from upper respiratory infections. There are several steps cat owners can take to reduce the chances of their cat developing URI:
Vaccination
Vaccinating cats against common URI pathogens can help prevent infection. The primary viruses associated with URI are feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus. Most veterinarians recommend the “core” feline vaccines against these viruses starting as early as 6-8 weeks of age, followed by boosters every 3 years (per VCA Hospitals). Vaccination helps reduce URI severity and may prevent infection altogether.
Reducing Exposure
Since URI is highly contagious between cats, limiting exposure is key. Keeping cats indoors and away from infected animals reduces transmission risks significantly. Proper quarantine and isolation procedures should be followed if introducing a new cat into a household. Sick cats should be separated from healthy ones to contain spread. Good hygiene and cleaning protocols are also important to remove contaminants. Limiting interactions with outdoor/stray cats through screens, controlled outdoor access via enclosures, etc. can also help.
Immune Support
Supporting your cat’s immune system can make them more resilient against URI pathogens. High quality nutrition without fillers or artificial ingredients provides immune support. Natural supplements containing antioxidants and immunostimulants may also be beneficial. Reducing stress through environmental enrichment, routine, and affection further strengthens immunity. Overall wellness supports the body’s defenses and healing abilities.
Prognosis for URI Recovery
With proper treatment and care, most cats with URI will start to show signs of improvement within 3-7 days. The infection typically lasts 7-14 days, though symptoms can persist for up to 21 days in some cases, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.
Most uncomplicated cases of feline URI are self-limiting and will resolve on their own within 1-3 weeks, even without treatment, according to the Austin Animal Center’s Foster Care Manual. However, supportive care and medication can help shorten the duration of illness.
Potential complications include secondary bacterial infections, pneumonia, or chronic conditions. With aggressive treatment, the prognosis is good for full recovery. Only rarely does URI become fatal in cats.
In most cases, cats make a complete recovery from URI within a few weeks. They typically do not suffer any long-term effects or recurring illness once fully recovered. However, stress and re-exposure can cause recurrence of symptoms.
When to See the Vet
While most cases of feline URI will resolve on their own with supportive care at home, it’s important to monitor your cat closely and contact your veterinarian if certain warning signs develop. These can indicate a more serious illness requiring medical intervention.
According to the experts at VCA Animal Hospitals, you should schedule a vet visit right away if your cat has persistent fever over 103°F, difficulty breathing, or severely decreased appetite beyond a couple days of illness. Severe lethargy and dehydration are also causes for concern. Prolonged symptoms beyond 10-14 days despite home treatment warrant a vet exam to check for secondary infections.
Additionally, kittens, senior cats, and those with other medical conditions are at higher risk for complications from URI. Schedule an earlier vet visit if your vulnerable cat develops symptoms to keep a close eye on their progress. Monitoring weight loss, hydration status, and litter box use can help identify if your cat is declining and needs medical support.
While scary, viruses causing URI are rarely fatal with proper care. Still, it’s important to monitor for any negative changes and follow up with your vet if your cat’s condition seems to worsen. They can provide supportive treatments to help your kitty recover safely at home.
Coping with a URI Outbreak
Dealing with an outbreak of upper respiratory infection in multiple cats in a home or shelter can be challenging. However, there are steps caretakers can take to control the spread and allow affected cats to recover.
First and foremost, cats showing symptoms of URI should be quarantined from other cats in the household who aren’t yet sick. Keep symptomatic cats confined to one room, and be diligent about hand washing and changing clothes before interacting with other cats to avoid transmitting the infection.
The home or shelter environment should also be thoroughly disinfected to kill lingering pathogens. All surfaces cats contacted should be cleaned with an antiviral disinfectant safe for pets. Replace communal food and water bowls, litter boxes, and bedding if possible.
For shelters and rescues, one helpful strategy is fostering cats while they recover from URI. This gets them out of the stressful and infectious shelter environment. Arrange fosters for sick cats until they have been symptom-free and off antibiotics for a period of time before returning.
With proper quarantining, disinfecting, and care, URI outbreaks in multi-cat homes and shelters can be managed for the health of all cats involved.
