Why Is My Kitten Sneezing? | Cat Flu | Vet Explains

Summary

This video script offers a comprehensive guide on cat flu, an upper respiratory infection in cats caused by feline herpes and glycovirus. It explains symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, emphasizing the importance of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories for secondary infections. The script advises on supportive care, diet, and hygiene for recovery and stresses the need for core vaccines to prevent the highly contagious disease. It also covers the long-term implications of the virus and the importance of separating infected cats from healthy ones.

Takeaways

• 😷 Cat flu is an upper respiratory infection in cats caused by feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus.
• 🧬 The feline herpes virus affects the eyes and nose, while the feline calicivirus affects the mouth, causing inflammation and pain.
• 💉 Secondary bacterial infections are common with cat flu, often caused by bacteria like Bordetella bronchiseptica and Chlamydophila felis.
• 🐾 Cat flu is highly contagious and can affect kittens, older cats, and those with weakened immune systems like feline leukemia or AIDS.
• 🤧 Symptoms include a runny nose, teary eyes, lethargy, weakness, fever, and loss of appetite, with severe cases leading to pneumonia.
• 🏥 Diagnosis involves physical examination, looking for secretions, mouth ulcers, and signs of compromised breathing, possibly with blood tests and x-rays.
• 💊 Treatment focuses on managing secondary bacterial infections and supporting the cat's immune system, using antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and mucolytics.
• 👁️ For severe eye infections, vets may prescribe pet-specific eye washes and topical antibiotics.
• 🍼 Kittens with severe symptoms may require intensive care, including fluid therapy, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and immune boosters.
• 🍽️ Diet should be soft, palatable, and high in calories, with nutritional supplements like lysine to help manage the feline herpes virus.
• 🚫 Prevention includes core vaccinations, separating sick from healthy cats, and maintaining hygiene by disinfecting shared items and washing hands.

Q & A

What is cat flu?

Cat flu is a broad term used to describe an upper respiratory infection in cats, typically caused by the feline herpes virus and feline glycovirus.

How do the viruses causing cat flu affect a cat's body?

Feline herpes virus attacks the cell lining in the eyes and nose, while feline glycovirus attacks the cell lining in the mouth, specifically the tongue, gums, lips, hard palate, and throat, causing inflammation and pain.

Which cats are more susceptible to cat flu?

Young kittens, older cats, and those suffering from feline leukemia or feline AIDS are more prone to cat flu due to their weaker immune systems.

How is cat flu transmitted?

Cat flu is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with other cats, air droplets from sneezing or coughing, and contaminated objects like shared bowls and food dishes.

What are the common symptoms of cat flu?

Symptoms include a runny nose, teary eyes, sneezing, coughing, drooling, lethargy, weakness, fever, and inappetence. In severe cases, secretions can turn yellowish-brown and become thickened, forming crusts that block the airways.

What is the role of bacteria in cat flu?

Bacteria, such as Bordetella bronchiseptica and Chlamydophila felis, can cause secondary infections in cats with weakened immunity due to the viral infection, exacerbating the symptoms.

How is cat flu diagnosed?

Diagnosis is usually based on the cat's appearance, history, physical examination, and may include blood tests, chest X-rays, and swab tests for bacterial culture or PCR to confirm the presence of viral RNA.

What is the treatment for mild cases of cat flu?

Mild cases are typically treated with injectable broad-spectrum antibiotics like amoxicillin clavulanate, anti-inflammatory drugs like meloxicam, and mucolytics to clear the airways. Kittens may also be prescribed a pet-specific eye wash and topical antibiotics.

What care is needed for kittens with severe cat flu?

Severe cases may require hospitalization, intravenous fluids, injectable antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and immune boosters. Nasogastric tubes may be used to feed kittens that refuse to eat.

How can you support a kitten's recovery from cat flu?

Providing tender loving care, maintaining hygiene, ensuring a clean environment, and offering soft, palatable, and high-calorie food can support recovery. Steam inhalation can help loosen secretions, and nutritional supplements like lysine can limit the multiplication of the feline herpes virus.

How can you prevent cat flu?

Ensuring cats receive their core vaccines, separating sick from healthy cats, disinfecting shared items, and starting treatment for all kittens in a litter can help prevent the spread of cat flu. Once infected, cats may carry the virus for life and can have relapses, especially during stressful events.

Outlines

00:00

😷 Understanding Cat Flu and Its Treatment

This paragraph introduces the concept of cat flu, which is an upper respiratory infection in cats caused by feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus. The video discusses the symptoms, such as a snotty nose, eye discharge, and difficulty in breathing and eating. It emphasizes the importance of a veterinarian's diagnosis, which includes a physical examination, checking for secretions, and possibly blood tests or chest X-rays. The treatment focuses on managing secondary bacterial infections with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as supportive care like mucolytic to clear airways and eye wash for severe infections. The paragraph also mentions the contagious nature of cat flu and its prevalence in kittens with weaker immune systems.

05:01

🏥 Intensive Care for Severe Cat Flu Cases

The second paragraph delves into the care required for kittens with severe cat flu symptoms, such as lethargy, difficulty breathing, and dehydration. It describes the process of hospitalization, which may involve intravenous fluids, injectable antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and immune boosters. The importance of eye cleaning and the use of a nasogastric tube for feeding are highlighted. The paragraph also provides tips for home care, such as maintaining hygiene, providing a warm and clean environment, and using steam to help with breathing. Dietary recommendations for recovery, including soft, palatable, and calorie-rich foods, are also discussed, along with the use of nutritional supplements to support the cat's immune system.

10:02

🚫 Preventing and Managing Cat Flu Outbreaks

The final paragraph addresses the prevention and management of cat flu outbreaks. It stresses the importance of vaccination, separating sick kittens from healthy ones, and disinfecting shared items to prevent the spread of infection. The paragraph also advises on the early treatment of all kittens in a litter to prevent further spread. It explains that once infected, cats may carry the virus for life and can experience symptom relapses during times of stress or immune system compromise. The video concludes with a call for viewers to seek veterinary care promptly if their kitten shows signs of cat flu and invites questions in the comments section.

Keywords

💡Cat Flu

Cat flu is a broad term used to describe an upper respiratory infection in cats, typically caused by feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus. In the video, it is the central theme, highlighting the symptoms, causes, and treatment options. The video emphasizes that cat flu can lead to severe health issues if not addressed, such as pneumonia, making it a critical concern for cat owners.

💡Feline Herpes Virus

Feline herpes virus is one of the primary causes of cat flu. It attacks the cell lining in the eyes and nose, causing inflammation and pain. The video explains that this virus weakens the cat's immune system, making them more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. It is a significant factor in the development of cat flu symptoms.

💡Feline Calicivirus

Feline calicivirus is another virus that can cause cat flu. It primarily affects the mouth, specifically the tongue, gums, lips, hard palate, and throat. The video mentions that this virus, like feline herpes, leads to inflammation and pain, contributing to the overall symptoms of cat flu.

💡Bordetella Bronchiseptica

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a common bacteria associated with cat flu. The video explains that this bacteria can cause secondary infections in cats with weakened immune systems due to viral infections, exacerbating the symptoms of cat flu and potentially leading to more severe health issues.

💡Chlamydophila Pneumoniae

Chlamydophila pneumoniae is another bacteria mentioned in the video that can be associated with cat flu. It adds to the complexity of the disease by causing additional infections in cats already affected by viral cat flu, further complicating treatment and recovery.

💡Immune System

The immune system is crucial in the context of cat flu as both the feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus weaken it. The video discusses how a weakened immune system makes cats more susceptible to bacterial infections, which can worsen the symptoms and severity of cat flu.

💡Mucoupurulent

Mucoupurulent refers to the thickened, yellowish-brown secretions from the nose and eyes that can form crusts and block airways in cats with severe cat flu. The video uses this term to describe the progression of symptoms when secondary bacterial infections become more severe.

💡Antibiotics

Antibiotics are medications used to treat bacterial infections. In the video, amoxicillin clavulanic acid is mentioned as an injectable antibiotic used to fight off infections in cats with cat flu. This is a critical part of treatment to prevent secondary bacterial infections.

💡Anti-inflammatory

Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as meloxicam mentioned in the video, are used to reduce fever and alleviate pain in the mouth caused by cat flu. They are an essential part of the treatment plan to manage symptoms and support the cat's recovery.

💡Mucolytic

A mucolytic is a medication that helps to clear the airways by breaking down and removing mucus. The video suggests that if a cat has trouble breathing through the nose, a mucolytic may be prescribed to assist in clearing the airways and improving breathing.

💡Vaccination

Vaccination is highlighted in the video as a preventive measure against cat flu. Core vaccines are recommended to be given at specific ages and then periodically to protect cats from the viruses that cause cat flu. This is crucial for reducing the risk of infection and spreading the disease.

Highlights

Cat flu is a term for upper respiratory infections in cats, typically caused by feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus.

Feline herpes virus affects the eyes and nose, while feline calicivirus targets the mouth's cell lining.

Both viruses cause inflammation and pain, and can lead to secondary bacterial infections.

Common bacteria associated with cat flu include Bordetella bronchiseptica and Chlamydophila felis.

Cat flu is more prevalent in young kittens, older cats, and those with weakened immune systems.

The disease is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact, air droplets, and contaminated objects.

Symptoms range from mild nasal discharge to severe mucopurulent discharge and breathing difficulties.

Diagnosis involves physical examination, looking for secretions, ulcers, and compromised breathing.

Blood smears and chest x-rays may be used to confirm infection and assess pneumonia severity.

Treatment focuses on preventing secondary bacterial infections and supporting the cat's immune system.

Mild cases are treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, along with mucolytic to clear airways.

Severe cases require intensive care, including IV fluids, injectable medications, and eye cleaning.

Nasogastric tubes may be used for kittens that refuse to eat, to provide food and water directly.

Tender loving care is crucial, including warmth, hygiene, and maintaining a clean environment.

Steam from baths or bowls of hot water can help loosen secretions and ease breathing.

Diet should be soft, palatable, and high in calories to stimulate appetite and aid recovery.

Lysine supplements can limit the feline herpes virus multiplication and reduce disease severity.

Prevention includes core vaccines, separating sick from healthy cats, and disinfecting shared items.

Cat flu can be life-threatening if left untreated, emphasizing the importance of early veterinary care.

Once infected, cats may carry the virus lifelong and experience symptom relapses during stress.

Transcripts

so you find your kitten with a snotty

nose and gunk in his eyes struggling to

breathe and eat your kitten may be

suffering from cat flu watch this video

to find out what you need to know about

this disease and what you need to do in

order to get it back to the lively ball

of fur that it used to be hey guys dr

peter i'm a veterinarian from south

africa

now cat flu is a broad term used to

describe an upper respiratory infection

that is usually caused by two types of

viruses feline herpes virus and feline

glycovirus feline herpes virus attacks

the cell lining in the eyes and the nose

while feline khaleesi virus attacks the

cell lining in the mouth specifically

the tongue gums lips heart palate and

the throat both causing inflammation and

pain both these viruses weakens the

cat's immunity which means that bacteria

can more easily infect the kitten

resulting in a secondary bacterial

infection which usually causes the

symptoms that we tend to see the most

common bacteria that is usually

associated with cat flu is called

boritella bronchisceptica and

chlamydophila phyllis now cat flu is

more prominent in young kittens and

older cats as well as those suffering

from feline leukemia or feline aids as

all of these groups tend to have weaker

immune systems it is a highly contagious

disease and can spread by means of

direct contact with other cats like when

they play or snuggle together through

air droplets when sneezing or coughing

and through contaminated objects such as

shared gauges and food bowls now you do

get different levels of severity with

cat flu most cats will just have a mild

transparent snotty nose and some teary

eyes but when the secondary bacterial

infection becomes more severe

the secretions from nose and eyes will

turn yellowish brownish and become

thickened what we call mucouperland and

these can then form hot crusts which can

block the airways therefore making it

more difficult to breathe which can

cause them to make this wheezing type of

breathing sounds the kids won't feel

great overall and will thus also show

signs of lethargy weakness fever and

some may also be inappetent especially

if the infection inside the mouth is so

severe that it causes ulcers on the

tongue and cheeks therefore making it

more painful and difficult to chew and

swallow other common symptoms include

eye squinting sneezing coughing and

drooling and some kittens may also

develop high ulcers when left untreated

for too long the infection can spread to

the lower parts of the cat's respiratory

system and can thus result in a

pneumonia which is very difficult to

treat and usually unfortunately results

in death now diagnosis is usually made

based on the appearance and the history

of the cat meaning the cat's age

vaccination status and the duration of

the clinical signs your vet will need to

do a thorough physical exam where you

will specifically look for secretions

from the nose and the eyes open the

cat's mouth to look for ulcers or sores

on the tongue and the cheeks and then

you will also have to listen to the

heart of a stethoscope to try and hear

if there is any compromised breathing

going on your vet will also need to feel

for any enlarged lymph nodes especially

around the face and the chest area and

you will need to take the kittens

temperature with either a small

thermometer or a type of scanner to see

if they have a fever you may also make a

blood smear to look for any signs of

infection and if it does suspect a lower

respiratory tract infection such as

pneumonia you may also recommend chest

x-rays to assess its severity if your

vet is fancy he may also take a swab

from the secretions from the nose

trachea or ice and send it to the lab

for bacterial culture or a pcr test in

order to confirm the presence of rna

from the feline kulesi and herpes

viruses

now just like most viruses there isn't

really a specific drug that can kill the

virus itself what we need to aim for is

treating and preventing secondary

bacterial infections for long enough and

offering nutritious food in order to

allow the kitchen's immune system to

recover and therefore to fight off the

virus itself mild cases of cat flu is

usually treated with an injectable form

of a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as

amoxicillin clavillonic acid to help

fight off the infection as well as an

anti-inflammatory drug such as maloxicum

to help lower the fever and to take away

the pain in the mouth if your kitten is

having any trouble breathing through the

nose your weight may also prescribe a

mucolitic to help clear the airways and

to remove the mucus if the kitchen is

still active and eating they will

usually be sent home with a five to

seven course of the oral form of all

three of these types of mets if your

kitten has a severe eye infection your

vet may prescribe a pet specific eye

wash that you will need to use to rinse

out the infection four to six times a

day as well as a topical antibiotic such

as offloccession which you need to apply

for about five to ten days depending on

your weight instructions now if the

kitten does not want to eat is lethargic

has any difficulty breathing and is

dehydrated it will need more intensive

care and will thus need to be admitted

for spiritualization your kitten will

ideally be put on a drip but it is often

difficult to find a vein to put an iv

catheter in so in these cases we will

first give intra-peritoneal fluids where

we basically inject ringo's lactate

solution into the kitten's abdomen the

kitten will then receive the injectable

form of both the antibiotic and

anti-inflammatory as well as an immune

booster every single day and its eyes

will be cleaned four to six times a day

as well if the kittens are really weak

and refuses to eat a nasogastric tube

can be placed where we basically insert

a small tube through their nostril and

nasal passages all the way into the

stomach where we can then inject food

and water directly into their tummies

usually once the kitten receives its

meds and starts to feel a little bit

better it will start eating like a

monster which is always a good sign i

had some kittens brought to the clinic

which was on the brink of death but soon

after giving them some fluids and

injections they flipped around and ate

more food than most of the dogs in the

hospital apart from this it is important

to give your kitten some tlc aka tender

loving care which means keeping them

warm and dry and always making sure they

have enough clean fresh water and food

as well as cleaning out the litter daily

kittens can be little tornadoes in the

cages and they may step in the poo and

then in the food and water so

maintaining good hygiene is vital for

their recovery make sure to gently wipe

away the discharge from the nose and ice

with the eye wash your vet prescribed

but even diluted salt water on cotton

will will also work just as fine what

will also really help is to let your cat

sit in the bathroom while you take a

bath or a shower as the steam will

basically act as a type of nebulizer

which will break up and loosen up the

secretions in the airways therefore

making it much more easier to breathe

you can also place the cat in a wire

basket next to a bowl of steaming water

and then cover the two with a towel for

about five minutes at a time two to four

times a day smell plays a major part in

a cat's appetite so if they have a

stuffy nose they will have a decreased

sense of smell which will eventually

lead to a decreased appetite so in terms

of diet they will need food that is soft

highly palatable and high in calories we

usually recommend the recovery cans from

roelkenin or the feline kitten moose

from heels but sardines are also very

effective to just stimulate the appetite

and to get it going a great nutritional

supplement called lycine can also be

given to your cat allysin contains amino

acid lysine which helps to limit the

multiplication process of the feline

herpes virus which will reduce the

severity of the disease guys if you

found this video helpful so far then

please hit that like button so that this

video can spread to more people who are

looking for answers to help the seek

kittens thank you by the way i will

leave links down in description to all

of my product recommendations for the

atom treatment of cat flu so make sure

to check that out as well since upper

respiratory infections can be caused by

a variety of different disease agents it

is not always possible to prevent them

entirely however the best way that you

can possibly protect your cat against

cat flu is to make sure that it receives

its core vaccines which needs to be

given three times at the age of eight

weeks 12 weeks and 16 weeks and after

that every one to three years depending

on your vet's recommendations cat flu is

extremely contagious to other kittens so

if you have a lot of kittens it is best

to separate the sick from the healthy

ones make sure that shared items like

bowls and litter boxes are properly

disinfected with bleach after using them

to help kill off any remaining bacteria

the eel kittens should always be handled

last and you should wash and disinfect

your hands face and boots before

touching any other healthy cats i

personally always recommend to start

treatment for all the other kitchens in

the litter as the chances are good that

if one is infected that it will

eventually spread to the rest and as

mentioned earlier cat flu is not

something you want to live for too long

as it can quickly become very dangerous

and even life-threatening it is also

important to know that once the cat has

been infected with these viruses it is

possible that they will carry the virus

for the rest of their lives and that

they can have a relapse of symptoms when

they get older especially after a

stressful event that causes a decreased

immune system such as re-homing boarding

surgery trauma or even severe cold they

will also shed the virus particles

during these times so it is important to

keep your young kittens away from them

until they are fully vaccinated as well

so if you have a young kitten showing

these signs make sure to get them to the

vet for checkup sooner rather than later

let me know down in the comments if you

guys have any questions thanks for

watching and have a lucky day cheers