Symptoms and Treatment of Upper Respiratory Infections (URI)

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Symptoms of Upper respiratory Infections (URI)

Symptoms vary depending on the source and spot of the illness, but some ordinary medical signs of upper respiratory infection in cats include:

  • Congestion
  • Depression
  • Cough
  • Nasal discharge
  • Gagging, drooling
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Rapid breathing
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Nasal and oral ulcers
  • Squinting of eyes
  • Open-mouth breathing
  • Depression

Causes of Upper respiratory Infections

Cat at vetA herpes virus (rhinotracheitis) and calici virus are the 2 most frequently encountered causes of upper respiratory diseases. These two viruses account for the huge mass of cases seen, but illness can also be caused by chlamydia psitacci, a microorganism. There have been reports of cases of upper respiratory infections being caused by bordetella bronchiseptica, the same bacterial organism that is accountable for dog kennel cough.

Prevention of Upper Respiratory Infections

Luckily, there are vaccinations that can be started in kittens as young as six to eight weeks old against distemper, calici virus, and herpes. While vaccinations may not eliminate these circumstances completely, they considerably reduce the phase and harshness of these potentially fatal infections.

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