Bacterial Infections in Cats Symptoms [9 Signs]

If you’re a new cat owner or have noticed some unusual behavior in your furry friend, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of bacterial infections in cats.

These infections can be serious and lead to various health complications if not treated promptly.

In this short and sweet blog post, we’ll cover the most common symptoms of bacterial infections in cats that you should look out for.

Before we continue let’s look at the causes of bacteria infection in cats.

Some Causes of Bacterial Infections in Cats

Here are the causes of bacterial infections in cats; most of the time this infection is caused by the cat owner’s poor management.

1. Wounds: There are many ways that a cat can experience a wound, such as from a catfight or from being hit by a car. Bacterial infections can occur in these wounds, which can lead to abscesses.
2. Dental disease: Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental disease, which can in turn lead to bacterial infections in the mouth.
3. Ear infections: Bacteria can cause infections in a cat’s ears, especially in cats that have long hair or dirty ears.
4. Respiratory infections: Upper respiratory infections are common in cats and can be caused by various bacteria.
5. Bladder infections: Bacterial infections can occur in a cat’s bladder, causing inflammation and discomfort.
6. Skin infections: Various types of bacterial infections can occur on a cat’s skin, such as those caused by Staphylococcus bacteria.
7. Parasites: Fleas, ticks, and other parasites can carry bacteria that can infect cats.
8. Weakened immune system: Cats with weakened immune systems due to age, illness, or medication are more susceptible to bacterial infections.
9. Zoonotic infections: Some bacterial infections that can affect cats can also be transmitted to humans, such as Campylobacter and Salmonella.

Before we continue to symptoms of bacterial infection in cats let us outline most of the bacterial pathogens that can actually get cats sick.

Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Cat Infections

Bacterial pathogens causing disease in cats most commonly belong to the following genera;

• Clostridium
• Campylobacter
• Salmonella
• Escherichia
• Staphylococcus
• Spirochete
• Pyodermas
• Actinomyces
• Chlamydophila
• Toxoplasmosis
• Fusobacterium
• Bordetella

Bacterial Infections In Cats Symptoms

Here are the common symptoms of bacteria-pathogen infection in cats;

1. Stomach flu

Stomach flu is the first and come symptom of bacterial infection in cats. However, it is important to note that both bacteria and viruses can cause stomach flu.

Stomach flu itself has many symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, belching, gagging, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, or flatulence.

The Stomach flu can cause certain fast illnesses in cats like dehydration, fatigue, fever, lethargy, light-headedness, or loss of appetite.

2. Watery or Bloody Stool

This is the easiest symptom of bacteria pathogen infection in cats and its is very easy to dictate.

When a bacterium is ingested by your cat, the bacteria multiply in the intestines giving room for more breakdown of the internal organs.

Upon feed the activities of the digestive system is distorted and the wall of the intestines are affected stopping the digestion of food.

Dead cells or damaged walls are passed away leading to other severe health problems.

3. Skin inflammation and Redness

This is one of the physical attributes to check if you suspect the presence of any bacteria pathogen in your cat.

It is normally clear and seen on the skin of the cat where see a change of color which most of the time is caused by a bacterial infection.

If during grooming or bathing your cat, you notice skin inflammation and redness, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.

4. Persistent Fever

It is sometimes normal to notice a slight change in the temperature of your cat, but what is not normal is a persistent rise in the temperature of your cat which leads to high fever.

When a cat get infected with bacteria pathogen, these distort the activities of the cells and send negative signals to the body which has an end outcome of fever.

5. Coughing and runny nose

Coughing and running nose is a very clear and visible symptoms that your cat is sick and needs medical attention.

Do not for once think that coughing and running nose is normal because it is not, once you notice it just contacts your vet.

Cats are the best domestic pet that are so good at hiding illness or sickness. Therefore, regular medical check-ups is the key to achieving a long life span in cats.

6. Constant Vomiting and Weakness

This is also a physical attribute you see in a cat when they get infected by any bacteria.

When a cat keeps vomiting it keeps losing energy which will lead to total weakness in the body.

7. Red and Watery Eyes

Bacteria infection destabilizes the body of the cat and has the tendency to affect the vision of a cat, causing multiple damages to the retina.

Once you notice a change in the eye color of your cat do not wait until things get bad, just contact your vet.

8. Indigestion

Indigestion is one of the internal effects of bacteria pathogens and can go from mild to severe if not taken care of.

Mainly looking at the stool of your cat it will be clear that your cat is suffering from bacterial infection.

You need to act before the bacteria start breaking down the internal organs of the cat.

Learn more about signs of trauma in cats.

9. Formation of Skin Abscesses

This is another clear symptom of the presence of bacterial pathogens in the body or skin of a cat.

In simple terms, one can define a skin abscess as a pocket of pus that is similar to a pimple, but larger and deeper under the skin.

It forms when the body of an animal tries to protect itself from infection by creating a wall around it.

When you notice these symptoms do not hesitate to contact your vet for professional advice and treatment.

Now we have outlined the symptoms of bacterial infection in cats, let’s answer a few questions you may have about the symptoms of bacterial infection in cats.

Ways to Prevent Bacterial Infections in Cats

1. Proper hygiene: Regular grooming, using a clean litter box, and washing your hands frequently can help reduce the risk of bacterial infections.
2. Vaccinations: Regular vaccinations can help protect your cat against bacterial infections like Bordetella bronchiseptica, Chlamydophila felis, and Leptospira interrogans.
3. Keeping indoor cats: Keeping your cat indoors can help reduce their exposure to infectious agents.
4. Proper nutrition: A healthy diet can help strengthen a cat’s immune system and reduce its susceptibility to infections.
5. Regular veterinary check-ups: Regular visits to the vet can help catch any potential infections early and prevent the spread of the bacteria.
6. Isolation: If your cat has a confirmed infection, it’s important to isolate them from other animals to prevent the spread of the bacteria.
7. Clean surroundings: Making sure the cat’s environment, including their bedding and feeding areas, is clean and free of bacteria can help reduce the risk of infections.
8. Routine cleaning: Regularly cleaning your cat’s toys, scratching posts, and other items they frequently come into contact with can help prevent the spread of bacteria.
9. Medications: If your cat has a bacterial infection, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or other medications to help treat the infection and prevent it from spreading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few questions you may have about symptoms of bacteria infection in cats;

How long does a bacterial infection last in cats?

A bacterial infection in a cat will last for 1 to 3 weeks on average, during which the infected cat can infect other cats around.

The severity or length of the bacteria infection depends on the causative agent.

What can I give my cat for bacterial infection?

You should give your cat antibiotics as directed by your vet. However, here are some recommended antibiotics to help with bacterial infections in cats;

• Cefovecin
• Ampicillin
• Cefazolin
• Amoxicillin-clavulanate

This is given based on the severity of the infection.

Can a bacterial infection kill a cat?

Yes, bacterial pathogens have the tendency to break down all the cells in the body of a cat if not properly treated and this will eventually lead to death.

Research has shown that most stray cats die due to high attacks of bacterial pathogens due to a lack of medical attention.

Learn more about the life expectancy of feral cats.

Can you catch a bacterial infection from a cat?

Yes, you can catch a bacterial infection from an infected cat especially Salmonella bacteria, which you can easily get when your infected cat comes in contact with your food items.

This is why you should maintain a proper hygienic practices to avoid cross-contamination.

Always keep your food items away from an infected cat or other animals as the can transmit bacteria when the come in contact with them.

How long do antibiotics take to kick in a cat’s body?

It will take a good antibiotic 1 to 2 hours to be effective in the body of a cat, this is a gradual process.

Antibiotics kick in gradually so do not expect to see flash results, so be patient with your cat and avoid overdosing thinking it’s not working.

Learn more about how cats get parasites.

How did my cat get a bacterial infection?

Here are the most common ways a cat can get bacterial infections;

• Contaminated water
• Contaminated dairy products
• Undercooked meat
• Contaminated feces
• Table scraps
• Contaminated litter box
• Stale food

Conclusion

In conclusion, bacterial infections in cats can be serious and should not be ignored.

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s important to take your cat to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Remember, just like humans, cats can develop major health complications if left untreated.

By being aware of the signs and symptoms of bacterial infections in cats, you can help keep your feline friend healthy and happy.