Feline Pneumonia in cats
The lungs in your cat’s body are two triangular shaped organs that are on either side of the heart. They occupy most of the space in your cat’s chest cavity. A cat’s lungs are almost identical to the ones in humans. They perform the same function which is to remove carbon dioxide from the bloodstream and to ensure the blood carries sufficient amount of oxygen.
Unfortunately, just like our human lungs your cat’s pair of these vital organs are susceptible to pneumonia. A deadly disease which if not detected and treated at an early stage can become life threatening. But the good news is that feline pneumonia is rare condition in cats.
The lungs perform two kinds of processes known as ventilation and perfusion. Ventilation occurs when there is a rhythmic inhalation of oxygen from the surroundings and perfusion is when blood flows to their lungs and oxygen is removed from the air they have inhaled and are carried to your pet’s bloodstream. Pneumonia usually develops when there is a disturbance to this process.
There are two types of pneumonia – aspiration and infectious pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when your pet has inhaled foreign objects into their lungs. It could be a small piece of plastic or even a seed pod. These are bound to irritate the sensitive tissues lining their lungs. If your cat vomits then they may inhale some of its content which may turn acidic and cause further irritation. The inhaled content may also carry bacteria from their stomach which can cause infection.
Infectious pneumonia, on the other hand, occurs following exposure to fungi, bacteria, protozoa or virus inhaled from their environment or are transmitted by other cats. It can also be the result of an existing bacterial infection in any part of their body.
Symptoms of pneumonia include:
- Increased breathing rate
- Rapid heart beat
- Nasal discharge that is green or yellow in colour
- Fever
If you observe any signs that are fairly respiratory in nature then you must take your pet to the vet and have them professionally checked. Any delay in prognosis or treatment can be potentially life threatening.
Generally, your pet will be under antibiotic treatment for a suspected bacterial infection. If pneumonia is caused by other agents like virus or fungus then antifungal or antiviral drugs will be prescribed. Along with these, supportive treatments like intravenous fluids, nebulisation and oxygen supplementation will be given.
So, to be safe it is always better to consult your vet for their professional guidance. You can also post your queries at www.tailslife.app.link/queries for further professional advice.
