Aspiration pneumonia in Cats - Causes, Treatment and Associated Conditions

Key takeaways

Aspiration pneumonia in cats is a lung infection caused by inhalation of foreign material, such as vomit, liquid, or dust.

The foreign material in the lungs causes irritation and inflammation, and predisposes the lungs to becoming infected by bacteria
Symptoms include difficulty breathing, vomiting, reduced appetite fever, and lethargy
Diagnostics include a physical examination, bloodwork, and diagnostic imaging
Treatment primarily involves antibiotics to treat or prevent bacterial infections associated with aspiration pneumonia
Overall, the prognosis for aspiration pneumonia is fair, with more severe cases having a poorer prognosis

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A closer look: Aspiration Pneumonia in Cats

Aspiration pneumonia is rare in cats. Overall, aspiration pneumonia has a fair prognosis, but the prognosis depends on the timeliness of treatment and the severity of pneumonia.

Any pet presenting with symptoms requires emergency medical intervention.

Risk factors

Some inhaled material is more damaging than others; inhaling clean water, for example, is less dangerous than inhaling a harsh chemical cleaner.

Very old, young, small, or immunocompromised breeds are more likely to experience severe symptoms.

Other less common symptoms that may arise from aspiration pneumonia.

Often, symptoms such as fever indicate that a bacterial infection has occurred in the lungs, which increases the severity of the condition.

Possible causes

Aspiration pneumonia is caused by inhaling foreign material. This includes:

Vomit or regurgitated food
Medication
Food
Foreign objects
Water

Main symptoms

Testing and diagnosis

Diagnostics include:

Physical examination
Bloodwork
Diagnostic imaging, including X-rays and ultrasound
Sampling cells and bacteria from the airways
Bacterial culture
Analysis of the function of the larynx

Steps to Recovery

Treatment of aspiration pneumonia primarily involves antibiotics, to either prevent bacterial infections from developing or treat existing infection. During treatment, supportive care helps maintain oxygen levels while the cat recovers.

Supportive therapies include:

Oxygen therapy
Ventilatory support
Coupage (striking the chest to clear fluids from the lungs)
Nebulization

Prognosis for aspiration pneumonia is fair to good overall, with many cases that receive prompt treatment surviving. Cats that have severe aspiration pneumonia from inhaling irritating substances, or that develop a bacterial infection after aspiration, have a poorer prognosis.

In rare cases, cats may develop lung abscesses, requiring additional treatment.

Prevention

Preventing aspiration pneumonia primarily involves managing predisposing conditions, such as megaesophagus, to prevent aspiration events from occurring. Cats are also at risk of developing aspiration pneumonia after veterinary procedures such as anesthesia. Many protocols are in place to help reduce the risk of aspiration during these procedures.

Aspiration pneumonia is not contagious.