Infectious diseases in cats are caused by viruses, fungi, parasites or bacteria that your cat has picked up somewhere. The infection can be spread by bites from fleas and ticks or by a protozoan such as giardia or toxoplasmosis. They can be spread through direct or indirect contact or through airborne pathogens.

Cats rarely cough so if you do notice your cat coughing, it could be an inflammation of the respiratory tracts or bronchitis. Bronchitis may be caused by an infection caused by a virus or allergy or even an allergic reaction. Cats with bronchitis could have a mucus discharge from the nose. A simple cough may be alleviated with a teaspoon of honey but if this doesn’t work, or if your cat is running a temperature, a visit to the vet is advised. Keep your cat warm and away from drafts, the same as you would for a child. Pneumonia is when the lungs become inflamed, and is usually caused by an infection. This can lead to pronounced difficulty in breathing and must be treated as serious.

Another serious respiratory disease is feline asthma. This is caused by allergies to common substances such as pollen, mould, dust, smoke, chemical cleaning products used in the home or even things such as cat litter or moist air. In feline asthma, bronchial spasms make the bronchi tighten. This in turn causes swelling of the tissue surrounding the area which then turns into an asthmatic attack. And just like in humans, cats can have an exercise induced asthma attack. If you notice your cat wheezing after exercise or having trouble catching its breath, a visit to the vet is a good idea to either confirm or rule out feline asthma. Read the rest of this entry »