A lot of people would like to know whether their dogs and cats can catch common colds like humans do. The answer is YES and NO!
Symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing and coughing can develop as a result of a viral, bacterial or fungal infection in the canine or feline respiratory system. But while human colds are usually associated with a change in season, cat and dog colds are independent of seasonality and are usually caused by a virus.
Many pet owners bring their dog or cat to a vet, kennel or cattery while traveling. The risk of infection increases greatly. In addition, the holidays are often a time of high-travel, and pets may come along for the journey.
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Posted on 2009 under Cat Respiratory Health | 22 May
Nasal infections in cats may be viral, bacterial or fungal. The primary symptom of all these infections is a nasal discharge which turns from serous (thin and clear) to purulent (thick with yellowish green pus) if the infection continues over a period of time. Other symptoms include sneezing, coughing and gagging. Nasal infections usually lead to refusal to eat as the cat is not able to smell food.
Any feline respiratory disease that originates in the nasal cavity causes irritation and consequently inflammation in the turbinates, the scrolled spongy bones in the nasal passage. These delicate bones are easily twisted and pressed out of shape or even destroyed. This easily allows bacteria that are normally present in the nasal cavity to grow rapidly, leading to secondary infections.
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Generally a cold is an inflammation of the nose and throat characterized by increased production of mucus. While human colds are associated with a change in season, cat colds are independent of seasonality and are usually caused by a virus.
The most important thing to note is that a virus must run its course and cannot be killed by drugs. Treating viral infections, especially in the feline respiratory tract is futile.
That said, cat owners should remember that although the symptoms of cat colds are similar to those experienced by humans, there is a vast difference in how feline colds should be managed. One of the common viruses that cause cold-like symptoms in cats is feline calicivirus, which belongs to a family of viruses that continually change their compositions. Moreover, feline upper respiratory infection tends to progress due to a vulnerability to secondary infections.
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Posted on 2009 under Cat Respiratory Health | 14 May
Colds are bothersome both for humans and cats but cat colds are different from common colds, the characteristically seasonal illness that humans experience.
The difference lies in the fact that common colds are not dangerous for humans but they can prove to be the harbinger of serious infections in cats.
If the cold has been caused due to a virus that is producing cold-like symptoms of watery eyes and nose, sneezing and coughing, then the only care that you can provide for your cat is to symptomatic treatment as there is no drug that is effective against viruses.
The infectious viral agent must live its course for the infection to disappear. The rule of the thumb to distinguish between viral and bacterial infections is that the nasal discharge in the latter is thick, opaque and yellowish green in color.
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