Causes & Symptoms of Pneumonia in Cats

Pneumonia in cats is an inflammation of the lungs and airways that can occur for a number of reasons. In today's blog our Bartlett vets explain some of the causes, symptoms and treatments for pneumonia in cats. 

What causes pneumonia in cats?

Your cat can contract pneumonia in a number of different ways:

• Infectious pneumonia –  Infectious pneumonia results from a viral or bacterial infection in the lungs and airways, this is the most common form of pneumonia seen in cats. If particular bacteria, viruses, or fungal organisms invade the nostrils or trachea of your cat, they could lead to an infection or inflammation which can develop into pneumonia.
• Aspiration pneumonia – Your cat could develop aspiration pneumonia after inhaling a foreign material, which leads to irritation of the sensitive lining of the lungs. A common cause of aspiration pneumonia in cats is the improper administration of liquid medications, or the inhalation of vomit if your cat has been sick.
• Fungal pneumonia (also called mycotic pneumonia) – This form of pneumonia begins as a fungal infection which progresses into the development of pneumonia. Fungal infections are believed to occur when the cat has inhaled spores from the soil.
• Parasites - Cats can fall victim to a number of parasites. In some cases parasites including lungworms and flukes can invade the cat's bronchi and result in pneumonia.

While cats of any age can develop pneumonia, it is most often diagnosed in very young kittens, senior cats, or cats with other underlying health conditions.

How do I know if my cat has pneumonia?

In cats, pneumonia isn't always straight forward to detect since many of the symptoms are also associated with other respiratory infections or cat colds. That said, if your cat is suffering from pneumonia you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:

If a fungal infection is at the root of your cat's pneumonia you may also notice that your cat has runny eyes, skin lesions, or even lameness, whereas cats suffering from aspiration pneumonia often experience difficulty swallowing, increased heart rate and vomiting.

Is pneumonia contagious to other cats?

Viral or bacterial pneumonia is contagious and can easily be passed along to other cats, dogs, and small animals.

In order to help prevent the spread of the virus or bacteria, our vets recommend keeping your sick cat separated from other pets in your household. When separating your cat from other pets in the home, be sure to provide your sick cat with a comfy place to rest, a fresh clean litter box, and plenty of food and water.

Frequently clean your cat's food and water bowls, as well as their litter box, and toys which may become contaminated. Also, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your unwell cat.

Will my cat fully recover from pneumonia?

If your cat develops pneumonia, your vet will begin treatment to help stabilize your cat's condition then work on fighting the infection. Depending on the severity of your cat's symptoms treatment for pneumonia may include hospitalization for monitoring, oxygen therapy or a nebulizer treatment to help ease respiratory symptoms, as well as intravenous fluids to treat dehydration, and broad-spectrum antibiotics or anti-fungal medications to fight infection.

With treatment, the general prognosis for cats with pneumonia is good, although aspiration pneumonia can be particularly challenging to treat and often leads to further complications. How well your cat recovers from pneumonia will depend upon the underlying cause of the illness, as well as your cat's overall health, and age. Sadly, cats that are very young, very old, or immunocompromised may not be strong enough to battle a severe case of pneumonia.