Download Feline Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)

Our Mission
Enriching the relationships between
people and pets in the communities of
North Central Washington with
comprehensive, compassionate and
committed care, each patient, every
day, without exception.
Where to find us:
Cascade Veterinary Clinic
1201 Walla Walla Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801
Directly across the street from Lowe’s.
Visit our website at: cascadevetclinic.com
Hawley St. E.
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Lowe’s
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Bavarian Village Veterinarian
11777 US Highway 2, Leavenworth, WA 98826
On the south side of US Hwy 2 before entering town.
Visit our website at: bavarianvillagevet.com
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www.CascadeVetClinic.com
www.BavarianVillageVet.com
Feline
Upper Respiratory
Infection (URI)
Wenatchee Avenue
5th Street
Prevention with Vaccination
Early vaccination and updating booster
vaccinations through out your cat’s life is very
important part of helping prevent the spread of
many of URIs.
Young kittens will need 2-3 rounds of vaccines
about a month a part. Older cats may only need
two. Because of differences in your cat’s immune
system and metabolism, all cats will need
reoccurring vaccination boosters though out their
lives. Talk with your veterinarian for details.
Feline Distemper vaccines were created early on
and many of the vaccines that treat URIs were
simply added to this for “combination”
vaccinations.
Since exposure risks can vary from location to
location, you doctor can tell you which of these
combination vaccines they recommended for
your pet.
Vaccines work by exposing your pet’s immune
system to a safe form of the infectious agent so
that their body can develop a resistance. Your pet
must be healthy for this to happen and it can take
10-14 days for full immunity to develop. That is
why your doctor may need to do an exam and
take vital signs before giving vaccines,
If your pet was already exposed, a vaccination
may not prevent and occurrence of the disease or
may decrease the vaccines effectiveness.
Regardless, vaccination is a critical part of helping
your pet stay happy and healthy.
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www.CascadeVetClinic.com
www.BavarianVillageVet.com
Ed Womack, DVM
Andy DeMarco, DVM
Colin Bonnett, DVM
Stephanie Johnson, DVM
Ben Harmeling, DVM
Ty Johnson, DVM
Zack Hambleton, DVM
Justin Miller, DVM
Eric Brownlee, BVMS
Cascade Veterinary Clinic.
509-663-0793
Bavarian Village Veterinarian 509-548-5896
The causes
The viruses most responsible for what we call URI
are Herpersvirus and Calicivirus. Chlamydophilia,
Mycoplasma and Bordetella can also cause an URI.
Cats may even have more than one type of infection
at the same time and can complicate treatment.
Your doctor may need to try more than one
medication or it may take longer for pets to become
healthy depending on what is causing the URI.
How does an URI work?
Most URIs will last 7-10 days.
90% of URIs are caused by Calicivirus or
rhinotracheitis virus which is a form of herpes virus .
Both of these are not
transmittable to people.
These infections are
permanent and may be
reoccurring just like all
forms of herpes. With
young cats especially,
becoming sick again or
infections that seem to
stick around are common,
especially in stressful
situations that can lower their immune responses.
Symptoms
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Sneezing
Nasal discharge
Runny eyes
Coughing
Oral or nasal ulcers
Sniffles
Fever
Hoarse voice
Or any combination of these symptoms
Is your cat or kitten at risk?
Feline Upper Respiratory Infections (URI) are very
contagious but for most cats have a low risk of
infection. Cats need to come in contact with
infected cats or exposed objects such as sharing
dishes or being petted by someone that has
touched an infected cat without proper
disinfection. Close proximity to a sneezing cat with
an URI is also a common way to catch an URI
It is most commonly spread between cats in the
same household, in a shelter or boarding and
outdoor cats.
Because a kitten’s immune system is not fully
developed and they have not completed
vaccination protocols, they are at particular risk.
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High stress situations can include:
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Any surgery such as being spayed or neutered.
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Being boarded.
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Moving to a new home.
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A new pet being introduced to the household.
Since it takes time for the infection to grow,
symptoms often are not noticed until a week or
more after a stressful situation or exposure.
Symptomatic cats will shed the virus for a couple of
weeks or more . Cats with Calicivirus may be
contagious for several months even without
symptoms, and many may continue to shed the
virus throughout their lives.
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When does your cat need to see a vet for a URI?
If your pet is significantly uncomfortable,
medical care is probably called for. Just like
when you get a cold, an URI is often just a
miserable week. Sometimes however it can
become very serious, especially for young and
elderly cats.
More serious symptoms that may require a trip
to the doctor include:
 Loss of appetite
 Congestion with open mouth breathing
 High fever
 Lethargic
How do you treat an URI?
If a cat stops eating or drinking hospitalization
may be required for supportive care such as
medications, fluid therapy or treatments for
ulcers that can occur in the eyes, nose and/or
mouth.
Serious URIs can lead to pneumonia which can
be life-threatening.
Antibiotics are medications used to treat
bacterial infections and are not effective for
treating viruses. While most upper respiratory
infections are caused by viruses, your
veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to help
treat a secondary infection. Cats with severe or
persistent URI may also require treatment with
an antiviral medication.
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