Pulmonary edema, the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissue, airways, or air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs, may occur along with circulatory disorders (such as congestive heart failure) or in some allergic reactions or infectious diseases. Head trauma can cause pulmonary edema in cats. Labored breathing, with an increased rate, and open-mouth breathing may occur. Animals stand rather than lying down, lie only on their chest, or assume a sitting position. The veterinaria
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs and airways that causes breathing difficulties and deficiency of oxygen in the blood. There are many possible causes. The most common cause of pneumonia is a viral infection of the lower respiratory tract. Feline calicivirus, for example, causes damage to the airways and makes the animal susceptible to development of pneumonia. Infections with bacteria (such as Mycoplasma and C
Pharyngitis is inflammation of the walls of the throat (pharynx). It accompanies most upper airway viral and bacterial respiratory infections. Calicivirus infections in cats may cause lesions of the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat. Mouth pain and resistance to having the mouth opened may indicate an abscess (pocket of pus and infection) at the back of the throat or the presence of a penetrating foreign object or growth in the mouth or tonsils. Cats are prone
Nasopharyngeal polypscan cause signs of upper respiratory disease, such as increased sounds associated with breathing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. These polyps typically arise from the middle ear and extend through the auditory (Eustachian) tube into the nasopharynx. Occasionally they may arise from the auditory tube or throat lining. The cause is unclear but may be related to chronic (longterm) inflammation.
Nasopharyngeal polyps
Lungworm infection of the lower respiratory tract, usually resulting in bronchitis or pneumonia, can be caused by any of several parasitic nematodes (roundworms), including Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Eucoleus aerophilus in cats. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is normally transferred to cats after eating a bird or rodent that has previously eaten a slug or snail containi
The adult flukes Paragonimus kellicotti and Paragonimus westermani usually live in cysts or bulla, primarily in the lungs of cats. They also have been found rarely in other organs or the brain. Infection is most common in China, southeast Asia, and North America. The eggs from the adult flukes, are coughed up, swallowed, and passed in the feces. The life cycle includes several snails as the first inter
The larynx is the part of the throat often called the “voice box” in humans. Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. It may result from upper respiratory tract infection or by direct irritation from inhalation of dust, smoke, irritating gas, or foreign objects. It can also be caused by trauma, excessive meowing, or a tumor of the larynx. Laryngitis may accompany infectious rhinotracheitis and calicivirus infection in cats. Fluid
Feline respiratory disease complex is a set of respiratory illnesses caused by a group of organisms that can cause infection alone or together. It includes those illnesses with signs including inflammation of the nasal and sinus linings, inflammation of the eye lining (conjunctivitis), excessive tear production, salivation, and mouth sores. The principal diseases are feline viral rhinotracheitis (also called feline her
Emphysema is an important disease in humans; however, in other animals it typically occurs as a result of another lung disease. The condition leads to difficulty in expelling air from the lungs, making breathing more difficult. Two major forms of emphysema are generally recognized. Alveolar emphysema is abnormal permanent enlargement and destruction of the alveoli, which are small air sacs deep in the lungs. Interstiti
The diaphragm is a layer of muscle that extends across the base of the chest and separates the chest from the abdomen. Contraction of the diaphragm causes the lungs to expand and inhale air during breathing. Adiaphragmatic hernia is a condition in which a break in the diaphragm allows protrusion of abdominal organs into the chest. In cats, automobile-related trauma is a common cause of diaphragmatic hernia, although defects of the diaphragm