Respiratory disease
From Felipedia
Respiratory diseases are common in cats. Although clinical signs such as coughing and dyspnea are commonly referable to primary problems of the respiratory tract, they may also occur secondary to disorders of other organ systems (eg, congestive heart failure).
Both young and aged cats are at risk of developing respiratory disease. At birth, the respiratory and immune systems are incompletely developed; this facilitates the introduction and spread of pathogens within the lungs, and alveolar flooding may occur. In aged animals, chronic degenerative changes that disrupt normal mucociliary clearance and immunologic anergy may render the lungs more vulnerable to airborne pathogens and toxic particulates.
Upper respiratory disease
- Viral - Herpesvirus (FHV) or Calicivirus (FCV), sometimes FeLV
- Bacterial - Chlamydia spp, Mycoplasma spp, Pseudomonas spp, Pasteurella multocida, Bordetella bronchiseptica , Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus spp, Pseudomonas spp, and E.coli
Normally reside in the feline nasal passages, nasopharynx, and upper trachea, and at least intermittently in the lungs, without causing clinical signs.
- Fungal - Cryptococcus spp
- Inhalation insults (eg, inhalation of smoke or noxious gases)
- Anatomical - Nasopharyngeal polyps, elongated soft palate, stenotic nares, faucitis/tonsillitis secondary to gingivitis/LPS
Lower respiratory disease
- Cardiogenic - Heart diseases such as Congestive heart failure and Cardiomyopathy
- Pulmonary - Bronchial disease, Asthma, Lymphocytic plasmacytic pneumonitis, Neoplasia, FIP, Chylothorax
- Neoplasia - Pulmonary carcinoma
- Anatomical - tracheal stenosis, flat chest syndrome (kittens)
