Can you catch respiratory infection from cat

Lungworm in cats includes infections with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus , Oslerus rostratus , Troglostrongylus species , Capillaria aerophila , and several Paragonimus species. Veterinarians should consider lungworm in outdoor cats, especially if they present with pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure.

Bordetella bronchiseptica , the small aerobic coccobacilli that cause kennel cough, can be transmitted from both cats and dogs to humans through respiratory droplet transmission. Pasteurella multocida , a gram-negative coccobacillus, is a commensal organism of the oral cavity in cats. However, P. In one recent report, three humans developed life-threatening P. In one case, an owner became infected after both she and her dying pet consumed honey from the same dropper.

Although such cases are rarely reported, they may be more common than the literature indicates. Cases of cat-human zoonotic respiratory transmission underscore the importance of isolating cats whenever they are in the acute stages of respiratory infection. In addition, veterinarians should reinforce common sense messages about infection control, particularly when owners are caring for ill animals, Dr. Myers emphasized.

Pet owners should consistently wash their hands before and after contact with these animals and should avoid exchanging oral secretions with pets. By Role. August 3, American Veterinarian , August , Volume 1, Issue 2. Keep in mind that your new kitty may not yet be showing symptoms, so limited exposure and diligence in cleaning and sanitizing is very important in the first 1—2 weeks after adoption.

How Humans are Affected by a Feline Upper Respiratory Infection Humans are at low risk for contracting the diseases responsible for causing upper respiratory infections in cats. To prevent the chance of infection, wash your hands frequently and be watchful for signs of respiratory illness. If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian — they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

Feline Allergies, From Food to Pollen. Asthma in Cats. Breathing Problems in Dogs and Cats: Dyspnea. Skip to main content. If nasal congestion is severe and breathing is difficult your vet may also suggest steam inhalation or nebulisation make discharges more liquid and more easily relieved by sneezing.

Affected cats are often reluctant to eat — they will have a poor sense of smell and eating may also be uncomfortable. Using soft, highly aromatic foods for example kitten foods, fish in oil that are gently warmed will help to tempt an inappetent cat. However, if anorexia is severe your cat may require hospitalisation for your vet to provide food via a feeding tube. This can be important, as poor nutrition will significantly contribute to disease and slow down healing.

Intravenous fluids may also be needed if your cat is not drinking properly, to avoid dehydration. Analgesics may also be required.

Interferons are proteins that are produced in the body, in part to help fight viral infections. Injectable interferons may be used as a supportive treatment either high doses of recombinant human interferons or recombinant feline interferon — there is some evidence that this may be of benefit, but it probably needs to be given early in the course of disease for best effect. There are a number of topical antiviral agents that can help to manage FHV-associated ocular disease such as trifluoridine, idoxuridine and cidofovir.

More recently a drug used to treat human herpes virus infections — famciclovir — has been shown to be safe and effective in cats when given orally. This is a major step forward in managing severe FHV infection in cats. General nursing is also essential — discharges from the eyes and nose should be gently wiped away using damp cotton wool, and the cat should be kept warm and comfortable. Carrier cats usually show no sign of illness but, may shed virus in saliva, tears and nasal secretions, and can be a source of infection to other cats.

Although almost all cats infected with FHV will remain long-term carriers, many of these will never shed significant amounts of virus.

Others may shed virus intermittently, especially during times of stress. Some cats may show mild signs of URI again when they shed the virus, but most do not. Carrier cats in a breeding colony are a source of risk to their kittens, as the stress of kittening may induce shedding of FHV. Most cats infected with FCV remain carriers of the virus, and continue to shed the virus for a period of weeks or months after infection, but the majority although not all will eventually eliminate the virus within a few months.

All our advice is freely accessible to everyone, wherever you are in the world. Recurrence of cat flu symptoms in cats who are carriers of FHV can occur in times of stress or if the immune system is compromised. Feline calicivirus respiratory infections are often milder than FHV. These infections usually clear up within a few weeks, although cats can remain carriers for a few months or even longer after symptoms go away.

It is best to keep a new cat away from other cats in your house for two weeks to reduce spread of diseases. If one of your cats develops cat flu, keep them quarantined until the symptoms clear. Talk to your vet about the options available for your cat.

Most cats recover from cat flu fully if they are treated early on before the condition worsens. If you suspect your cat may have cat flu, take them to the vet right away.

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