Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Culturing the specific
bacteria that are causing
an upper respiratory
infection is difficult,
because the nose is also
the home of many normal
bacteria that can contami-
nate a culture. To get a
more reliable culture
specimen the cat should
be sedated, sterile saline
flushed into a nostril, and a sample collected from the back of the
nasal passages.
ACUTE OR CHRONIC?
The terms
acute
and
chronic
are
used to describe diseases. Acute
means a disease comes on sudden-
ly and eventually goes away. A
chronic disease is one that lasts for
a long time or that does not com-
pletely go away.
Fungal Infections
Fungal upper respiratory infections occur occasionally, with
Cryptococcus
neoformans
being the most common fungus. Cats with compromised
immune systems, such as those infected with FeLV or FIV, are most at
risk for developing fungal upper respiratory infections.This fungus can
be found in bird droppings and, as unlikely as it seems, it can affect cats
who live indoors.
Fungal upper respiratory infections are usually slowly progressive and
do not improve with antibiotic treatment. As fungal infections progress
they can cause growths in the nostrils and bulging of the sinuses. Fungal
upper respiratory infections may be diagnosed by examining a smear of
nasal discharge microscopically, by performing a blood test for
Cryptococcus
or other fungi common in your area, or by a biopsy or nee-
dle aspirate of a nasal growth. Antifungal drugs are effective against fun-
gus, but the treatment may last months and the drugs are quite expensive.
If the Cold Doesn't Go Away
If treatment by your veterinarian is not helping, more aggressive care
and hospitalization may be needed. Other diagnostic tests should be
done that will look for other diseases that can mimic upper respiratory
infections, including:
•
Complete blood count and blood chemistries
•
FeLV and FIV tests
•
Microscopic evaluation of nasal discharge
