Bacterial Pneumonia in Cats

Bacterial Pneumonia in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Bacterial Pneumonia?

Bacterial pneumonia causes great distress to the feline and is often a life-threatening condition to kittens or mature felines. If you notice your cat is breathing heavily, has a green nasal discharge, or has a blue color to her mouth, she is mostly likely suffering from a type of pneumonia. 

Bacterial pneumonia in cats is the term used to describe an inflammation in the lungs and respiratory system, caused by a bacterial infection. When a cat contracts bacterial pneumonia, the alveoli that are connected to the bronchi fill with fluid and infection. As more and more alveoli become filled with infectious fluid, the alveoli cannot remove carbon dioxide from the blood, or replace the contaminated blood with oxygenated blood. The level of circulating oxygenated blood is decreased and the feline’s body compensates for the low oxygen level by breathing rapidly. 

Bacterial Pneumonia Average Cost

From 358 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,800

Average Cost

$800

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Symptoms of Bacterial Pneumonia in Cats

Bacterial pneumonia in cats is first noted by a moist cough and difficult breathing. As the condition worsens, your cat may also develop a fever, have a greenish discharge from the nose, refuse to eat, and begin losing weight. Additional symptoms of bacterial pneumonia in cats include: 

  • Rapid breathing 
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Lethargy 
  • An unkempt hair coat
  • Weight loss
  • Anorexia
  • Cyanosis, or blue tinged mucous membranes
  • Rattling cough or lung sounds
  • Green or yellowish discharge from the nose
  • Fever

Causes of Bacterial Pneumonia in Cats

Bacterial pneumonia in cats is caused by a variety of different bacteria including; Bordetella, Staphylococcus, Pasteurella multocida, Yersinia pestis, Chlamydiae or Streptococcus. Your cat can become infected with bacterial pneumonia from a contaminated food or water bowl, sharing close quarters with an infected cat, or as a secondary result to a viral infection. 

Diagnosis of Bacterial Pneumonia in Cats

Diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia in cats begins with a review of your cat’s medical history, an exchange of notes between the owner and the doctor, followed by a physical examination. The vet is likely to listen to your cat’s lungs through the use of a stethoscope, which may reveal a harsh breathing tone. The doctor may then ask for a routine blood test to be done on the cat including a biochemistry profile and complete blood cell count. A high number of white blood cells is the common result in bacterial pneumonia, as the cat’s immunity produces these cells to fight the bacteria. If the results from the blood test do not show a high number of white blood cells, the exams will give the doctor a baseline for your cat’s health, proceeding to the following diagnostic tests:

  • Blood-Gas Evaluation: measurement of circulating oxygenated blood. 
  • Chest x-ray
  • Tracheal wash: an exam used to collect cells from the trachea with bacterial traces.
  • Lung aspiration: a collection of cells from within the lungs using fine needle aspiration.  

Treatment of Bacterial Pneumonia in Cats

Treatment of bacterial pneumonia in cats begins with stabilizing the patient. A patient may need stabilization treatment if the feline is having a difficult time breathing, rapid breathing, or cyanosis. Oxygen therapy or a nebulizer may be used to return the feline’s breath back to a normal bpm (breath per minute). If the feline is severely dehydrated, your veterinarian may also provide intravenous fluid therapy before directly treating the cause of the pneumonia. 

Once the cat has become stable, your veterinarian is likely to treat bacterial pneumonia in cats with an aggressive, broad-spectrum antibiotic. The exact form of antibiotic depends on the type of bacteria your cat is infected with, so discuss the best treatment option with your veterinarian. Your cat will likely be hospitalized or be restricted to a cage at home.

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Recovery of Bacterial Pneumonia in Cats

Following discharge of the feline patient, the veterinarian may ask you to complete a follow-up visit, at which chest x-rays may be taken. The follow-up exam could be anywhere between 2-3 weeks after hospitalization and should be done as instructed to ensure the pneumonia is cured. All prescribed medications should be administered and at-home care should be carried out as directed by your veterinarian.

The prognosis for a cat with bacterial pneumonia depends on the age of the feline and his/her overall health before contracting pneumonia. If the feline is of a mature age or is still an infant, the bacterial infection could cause problems for that feline later in life. Likewise, if the feline is already sick or is of old age, bacterial pneumonia can take longer to cure or could be fatal to the feline. The prognosis for bacterial pneumonia in your cat can improve if the infection is detected early and treated by a licensed veterinary professional. 

Bacterial Pneumonia Average Cost

From 358 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,800

Average Cost

$800

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Bacterial Pneumonia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Domestic Medium Hair tabby

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12 Years

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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Shallow Rapid Breathing
He had a chest infection in June and has had this breathing since. He's been eating good, playing like normal, just gets winded easily, and breathing like he's out of breath but we don't hear anything, and his mouth isn't open. It's gotten worse lately though.

Oct. 20, 2020

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

1 Recommendations

Thank you for your question. From your description, having chest x-rays taken with your veterinarian would be a good idea, as they will be able to see what might be causing this, and let you know if there is anything to worry about.

Oct. 21, 2020

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Domestic shorthair

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Jackie Chan

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9 Years

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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Sneezing
Eye Discharge
Nasal Clear Drainage
Possible Lethargy
Nasal Clear Discharge
My cat has been sneezing for the past 4 or 5 days. I suspected URI, but there was no discharge. Yesterday, there was discharge from his eyes and nose. Last night, he vomited 3 times but hes not acting too lethargic. He's also rather obese (21lbs but on a diet!) and doesn't do much activity wise anyways. He still has an appetite. Being that it's the weekend, I'm hoping to put this off till Monday (tomorrow) to see the vet, but not if this is sounding more serious than a URI? Though I know a URI is nothing to sit on.

July 22, 2018

1 Recommendations

If Jackie Chan isn’t showing any signs of respiratory distress or any other urgent symptom you could probably wait until Monday morning to see your Veterinarian; make sure to regularly wipe away any discharge from the eyes and around the nose with a warm damp cloth and ensure that he is drinking. If there are any signs of breathing difficulty you should visit an Emergency Veterinarian immediately. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM

July 23, 2018

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Bacterial Pneumonia Average Cost

From 358 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,800

Average Cost

$800

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