Salmonellosis in cats – Symptoms and treatment

Salmonellosis in cats is a quite unknown and atypical disease, so before any sign of systemic or digestive disease, we must go to the veterinarian to rule out that our cat suffers from it.

In this article of we are going to pay attention to the prevention and the symptoms with which this infectious disease can occur, causing serious consequences for our feline companions and for us. Keep reading to know more about Salmonellosis in cats as well as its symptoms and treatment.

What is salmonellosis?

Salmonellosis is a food toxinfection in which bacteria belonging to the family are involved Enterobacteriaceae found in the intestinal tract of animals and humans. Although the incidence of salmonellosis in the feline species is low, its detection is very important due to its severity and its zoonotic potential (possible transmission to man).

The main reservoir of Salmonella are poultry, cattle and pigs, therefore, are important sources of infection the meats of these animals, eggs and milk, as well as water from rivers and puddles and, therefore, from fruits and vegetables.

Salmonellosis can be transmitted to cats by direct ingestion of these raw foods or by contact with raw food or surfaces that are contaminated and that subsequently take contact hands and mouth. Also through processed foods, if these are not properly preserved and exposed to insects or unsanitary conditions.

This bacterium it is resistant to pH of the stomach, bile salts and peristalsis. Colonizes the small intestine and invades the mesenteric lymph nodes, causing a localized infection. The intracellular defenses are not capable of destroying it and it is directed to the blood producing a systemic infection and becoming localized in the liver, spleen, etc.

Symptoms of salmonellosis in cats

Salmonella is eliminated through the faeces to the environment and has a high resistance in it, therefore, we must take special care if our cat has access to the outside and therefore, the circumstances that lead to toxinfection can occur. It should also be noted that there are cats asymptomatic and carriers of the bacteria, being a constant source of contagion.

It can also be transmitted via the airway, when an invasion occurs in the tonsils and lungs. The young cats and immunosuppressed They are more susceptible to infection.

The symptoms of salmonellosis in cats usually begin to be appreciated between the 12 hours or until the 3 days after the ingestion of the bacterium and the feline could pass a maximum of between 4 to 7 days without treatment. The most frequent symptoms are:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bloody diarrhea
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain
• Dehydration
• Apathy
• Shock
• Chronic intermittent diarrhea of ​​the large intestine

Diagnosis and treatment

We must take into account other diseases that occur with similar symptoms as a metabolic, nutritional disease, a neoplasia, another infectious agent involved, etc. To make a differential diagnosis correct, the veterinarian will carry out a series of complementary tests. The most accurate diagnosis will be carried out by means of a correct anamnesis and physical examination and the realization of a fecal cytology, PCR and culture.

Until the results of the culture, according to the prescription of the veterinarian, it will be determined to treat with antibiotic, besides the symptomatic treatment (fluid therapy, antipyretics, antiinflamatirios, probiotics, etc.).

To conclude this article we want to point out that the most effective way to prevent salmonellosis is to avoid feeding our cat with raw food.

This article is merely informative, in .com we do not have the faculty to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Salmonellosis in cats – Symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you enter in our section of Bacterial diseases.