What else can cause pneumonia?

My cat has been diagnosed (with X-ray) with pneumonia for 2 weeks. We have carried out blood test to rule out FIP/FIV/FeLV and her other readings (kidney, liver) are fine. She does not cough nor sneeze and has no nasal discharged (nose is dry). We has just switch to another antibiotic as the previous one is not working, and without nasal discharged the vet cannot do analysis to determine the actual antibiotic to use.

I have 2 other cats at home and neither are sick (one of them occasionally shares food/water bowl with her). She is slightly less than 3 yrs old and does not go out of the house, but does roams in the garden for few hours a day.

She does not want to eat nor drink and has been on drips for a week. I have been force feeding her so far, but she is not really been fed the same amount as what she usually eat, and has lost 25% of her body weight already.

Any idea what else could be wrong?

Hello and welcome to TCS. I am very sorry your kitty is so ill.

I'm glad FeLV/FIV has been ruled out, but there is no test for FIP.

Perhaps a second opinion with another vet might be the next step.

Please keep us posted, what is her name?

The same things that causes them in humans, bacteria and viruses. It's too bad that they can't collect anything to check because that would probably be the best thing to do right now since it was resistant to one antibiotic already. MRSA can cause pneumonia in pets - is there not any way that they couldn't still check the nose for it's presence just in case? I know I've had my nose swabbed for it before and I didn't have any UR type symptoms at that time.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

The same things that causes them in humans, bacteria and viruses. It's too bad that they can't collect anything to check because that would probably be the best thing to do right now since it was resistant to one antibiotic already. MRSA can cause pneumonia in pets - is there not any way that they couldn't still check the nose for it's presence just in case? I know I've had my nose swabbed for it before and I didn't have any UR type symptoms at that time.

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I was surprised about that too. One of the reasons I suggested a second opinion.

The FIP test was to look for antibody, although a positive test does not necessary mean she has FIP. But I'm not sure if a negative test means it is still possible for her to have FIP.

Just curious, how do you get a nasal swab from a cat? We can always stick a cotton bud into our nose, but their nose are so small, it's almost impossible to stick something inside. What do they use, will the cat feel uncomfortable/painful?

Since the review is tomorrow, will see how it goes, if not I will go to another vet.

By the way, how common is MRSA? I have not really heard much about it in my community, and so far I have only read about how they are controlling it in hospitals. Nothing much is said about public places. It does sound scary from what I have read.

I wouldn't recommend you trying to get the nasal sample yourself. Leave that to the vet, the vet should know how to do it.

Keep us posted.

Vet said if there is no discharge, cannot get swab. No way we can stick anything into that tiny nose and saliva cannot be use for accurate test.

Anyway, good new. The latest antibiotic is working. Latest x-ray showed that the lungs are much better and not that wet as previously. Have to complete the course.

However she still refuse to eat on her own, although she will drink water. She did not lose more weight, hopefully will be able to make her gain back those lost weight soon.

It will of course be best she will start eating on her own. Force feeding is a torture for both of us.

That's great news! I think they could potentially get something in a cat's nose.. I've had to pull pieces of dried grass out of my cats noses after they've snorted it up there sniffing around. But you have to hope the cat doesn't move.

I don't suppose you can get Fancy Feast over there, can you? It's not the greatest food but it keeps some eating.

I guess something small might get in if they sniff it in, but it will be a different story if we are the ones trying to get something in.

Back to the food. We do have Fancy Feast, the usual and Medleys series. But she will not eat them even when she is not sick, not to say now.

Some people says they like Hill's A/D diet. I am giving her that now, but still she will not eat it on her own. I had to syringe feed.

This title does not match my problem now, so I will be starting another thread about cat not eating.