If you’ve noticed your feline friend sneezing and sporting watery eyes, you’re likely witnessing common symptoms of what’s broadly known as a cat cold, or more formally, Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (URD). Understanding this condition is crucial for every cat owner to ensure the health and well-being of their beloved pet.
What is Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (URD)?
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (URD) is a general term veterinarians use to describe a range of infections affecting the upper respiratory tract of cats. Think of it as the feline equivalent of the common cold in humans. The tell-tale signs – sneezing, runny eyes, and a runny nose – are often the first indicators that your cat might be suffering from URD. While often referred to as a “cat cold,” it’s important to understand that these infections are typically caused by specific viruses and sometimes bacteria, and are not related to the human common cold.
Causes of Cat Sneezing and Watery Eyes
The primary culprits behind URD are usually viruses. Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV) are the most frequently identified viral agents. These viruses are highly contagious among cats and can lead to a variety of respiratory symptoms. In some instances, bacteria can also play a role. Bacteria like Chlamydia felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica can cause similar symptoms, although they are less common as primary causes compared to viruses. Furthermore, a viral infection can sometimes weaken a cat’s immune system, making them more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. This means bacteria can capitalize on an already compromised immune system, worsening the initial viral infection and complicating the diagnosis and treatment.
Recognizing the Symptoms: Beyond Sneezing and Watery Eyes
Sneezing is indeed a hallmark symptom of URD. However, the severity of the infection will determine the range and intensity of clinical signs your cat exhibits. Beyond sneezing, other common symptoms include discharge from the eyes and nose. The nature of this discharge can offer clues about the type of infection. In viral infections, the discharge is typically clear and watery. If a secondary bacterial infection is present, the discharge may become cloudy, yellow, or even green, indicating the presence of pus.
If the infection progresses to a chronic stage, you might observe more persistent and severe symptoms. These can include a dry or ulcerated nose, and chronic eye or nose discharge that is often brown in color. In severe cases of URD, the infection can descend into the lower respiratory tract, potentially leading to pneumonia, a more serious condition that affects the lungs. Because URD is a systemic infection, meaning it affects the whole body, cats may also display general signs of illness such as lethargy, decreased activity levels, dullness, and a reduced appetite. Anorexia, or loss of appetite, is a particularly concerning symptom in cats with URD and requires prompt veterinary attention.
How Cats Contract URD
The viruses responsible for upper respiratory infections are easily transmitted through casual contact. These viruses are hardy and can survive in the environment for extended periods, facilitating both direct and indirect transmission. Direct contact occurs when a healthy cat comes into physical contact with an infected cat, such as through grooming or sharing food bowls. Indirect contact can happen through contaminated environments or objects. For example, if you pet a stray cat that is carrying the virus or visit a home with a sick cat, you can inadvertently carry the virus on your hands or clothing and expose your own cat.
Environments where multiple cats congregate, especially in stressful situations, are high-risk areas for URD transmission. Places like groomers, cat shows, pet stores, boarding facilities, and animal shelters are prime locations for cats to pick up these infections. In such settings, a simple sneeze from an infected cat can spread infectious droplets through the air, potentially infecting cats several cages away. This ease of transmission highlights the importance of preventative measures, especially if your cat is ever in contact with other felines.
Diagnosing the Cause of Sneezing and Watery Eyes
Veterinarians typically diagnose URD based on a cat’s clinical symptoms observed during a physical examination. The presence of sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge, and other associated signs are often sufficient to make an initial diagnosis of URD. However, pinpointing the exact cause of URD – whether it’s viral or bacterial, and which specific pathogen is involved – requires laboratory testing.
To determine the specific cause, a veterinarian will collect a sample, usually from nasal, throat, or eye discharge. If a bacterial infection is suspected, a culture of the sample can be performed to identify the specific bacteria present. For viral identification, more advanced tests like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) are used. PCR tests are highly sensitive and can detect the genetic material of specific viruses, such as feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus, providing a definitive diagnosis. While these tests are available, they are not always necessary for routine URD cases, especially if the symptoms are mild and respond well to general supportive care. However, in severe or chronic cases, or in situations where the infection is not responding to initial treatment, diagnostic testing becomes more important to guide targeted therapy.
Treatment Options for URD
As URD is most commonly caused by viruses, it’s important to understand that antibiotics, which target bacteria, are not effective against viruses. Therefore, the treatment approach for viral URD focuses on managing the symptoms and supporting the cat’s immune system to fight off the infection. When developing a treatment plan, the veterinarian will tailor it to the specific symptoms your cat is exhibiting. Common treatment strategies include:
-
Monitoring at Home: Close observation at home is crucial. This involves tracking your cat’s activity level and appetite. Any significant changes, especially a decrease in appetite or lethargy, should be promptly reported to your veterinarian, as adjustments to the treatment plan may be needed. Anorexia is a serious concern in cats with URD and can lead to further complications. Keeping the nasal passages clear is also important; gently soften and remove nasal secretions with a damp cloth to help your cat breathe more comfortably.
-
L-lysine Supplement: L-lysine is an amino acid supplement frequently recommended for cats with viral URD, particularly feline herpesvirus. High doses of lysine are thought to interfere with viral replication, slowing down the virus’s ability to multiply. By slowing viral replication, L-lysine gives the cat’s immune system a better chance to overcome the infection. Because these viruses have a relatively slow lifecycle, consistent L-lysine therapy is typically recommended for at least 30 days, and in some cases, long-term or even lifelong supplementation may be advised. Veterinary-approved L-lysine supplements are formulated to be high quality and palatable for cats, often available in gel or powder forms.
-
Anti-viral Eye/Nose Drops: For direct action against viral infections in the eyes and nasal passages, antiviral eye or nose drops may be prescribed. These drops contain medications specifically targeted against viruses. It’s essential to follow the veterinarian’s instructions carefully regarding dosage and frequency. Some antiviral eye drops need to be refrigerated to maintain their efficacy.
-
Antibiotic Eye/Nose Drops: If a secondary bacterial infection is suspected in the eyes or nasal passages, antibiotic eye or nose drops may be prescribed. These are designed to control bacterial growth and address the secondary bacterial component of the URD. Again, adherence to the prescribed directions is crucial for effective treatment.
-
Systemic Antibiotics: In cases where there is concern about a more severe, systemic bacterial infection, oral antibiotics that work throughout the body (systemic antibiotics) may be prescribed. While antibiotics are not effective against the primary viral infection, they can be necessary to combat secondary bacterial infections. It is vital to complete the entire course of prescribed antibiotics, even if your cat appears to be recovering, to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance and prevent the development of “superbugs.”
-
Systemic Anti-virals: Emerging research is showing promising results with systemic antiviral medications for treating viral URD. These medications directly target viruses throughout the body and offer hope for potentially eliminating the primary viral cause of the infection, rather than just managing symptoms. However, these medications may be reserved for more severe or refractory cases and may not be part of the standard treatment protocol for every cat with URD.
What Follow-up is Required?
With appropriate treatment, you should typically see an improvement in your cat’s clinical symptoms within 24 to 48 hours. Sneezing is often the last symptom to resolve completely. While treatment can effectively manage the clinical signs of URD, it’s important to be aware that a complete cure is often difficult, particularly with viral URDs. These viruses can establish lifelong, asymptomatic infections in cats. Some cats may become chronic carriers, experiencing recurrent episodes of eye infections, cloudy nasal discharge, chronic sneezing, or nose ulcers throughout their lives. In these chronic cases, a cure may be unattainable, and the focus shifts to managing clinical symptoms to maintain the cat’s quality of life. Regular veterinary check-ups and proactive management of flare-ups are essential for cats with chronic URD.
How Do I Prevent URD?
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent URD outbreaks in cats. Because the viruses that cause these infections are prevalent in the environment, all cats, including strictly indoor cats, should be vaccinated against feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. It’s important to remember that, similar to the human flu vaccine, URD vaccines do not provide 100% protection. However, vaccination significantly reduces the severity of infection if a vaccinated cat does become exposed and infected. Vaccinated cats are likely to experience milder symptoms and recover more quickly compared to unvaccinated cats. Maintaining good hygiene practices, especially if you have multiple cats or your cat has contact with outdoor cats, can also help reduce the risk of URD transmission.
Prognosis
The prognosis for cats with URD is generally good, especially if complications like anorexia and dehydration are avoided or promptly and aggressively treated. Most cats recover fully with appropriate veterinary care. However, cats that do not respond to treatment within 4 to 6 days, or those that experience recurrent episodes, should be tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). These viruses can compromise the immune system and make cats more susceptible to severe or chronic infections, including URD. Early detection of FeLV or FIV can help guide long-term management and supportive care.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding your cat’s sneezing and watery eyes or about Feline Upper Respiratory Disease, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian. They can provide an accurate diagnosis, recommend the most appropriate treatment plan, and offer guidance on prevention and long-term management.
