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Bacterial Infection in Cats
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 08/17/2016Updated: 01/12/2022
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Bacterial Infection?
Because of various exposures and several modes of disease transmissions, your cat can get many bacterial infections. As a responsible pet owner, it is important for you to know some common infections that your cat can easily get. A bacterium is a single cell organism that grows with multiple cell divisions. Harmful bacteria can cause severe illness and infection in cats. If left untreated cats will develop major health complications, just like humans.
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Average Cost
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Symptoms of Bacterial Infection in Cats
The symptoms and signs of bacterial infections in cats are always infection specific. While streptococcal infections result in pain and fever, surface bacterial infections can result in inflammation, redness, and discomfort. Here are some common symptoms of bacterial infection in cats.
  • Fever
  • Skin abscesses 
  • Indigestion and lack of appetite
  • Skin lesions and wound infections
  • Coughing and runny nose
  • Red and runny eyes
  • Constant vomiting
  • Multiple infections, including skin, eyes, ears, upper respiratory tract and urinary tract 
  • Skin inflammation and redness
  • Pain and lethargy
  • Lameness
  • Open fractures and pus oozing from the wounds
Types 
There are a number of bacteria that can lead to infections. The most common ones are: 
  • Staphylococcus 
  • Streptococcus
  • E coli
  • Salmonella
  • Clostridium
  • Actinomyces
  • Fusobacterium
  • Clostridium
Causes of Bacterial Infection in Cats
There are various types of bacterial infections that can affect your cat and its major organs. Age also determines the propensity of bacterial infection in cats. While young adult felines have a better immunity against major bacterial infections, kittens are more prone to infections because of the lack of antibodies. Similarly, old cats with weaker immune systems have a decline in antibodies. This is a major factor that causes bacterial infection affecting the skin, eye, ear, and many other major organs. Some of the major causes and risk factors of bacterial infections in cats are:
  • Age
  • Weakened immune system
  • Broken skin due to a graze, cut or skin disease
  • Poor diet
  • Underlying illness
  • Viral infections (e.g. FIV or FELV)
  • Exposure to other animals that are infected
  • High bacterial burden in the air, water, food and soil
Diagnosis of Bacterial Infection in Cats
The diagnosis of a cat’s bacterial infection is based on symptoms. 
Health exam: Veterinarians will check your cat’s health through a physical examination and review his medical history and symptoms for initial diagnosis. 
Additional tests:  If required, they will suggest some blood tests, skin biopsies, sensitivity testing and cultures for your cat, too. These tests are performed to determine the cause of bacterial infections and diagnose the disease. 

Treatment of Bacterial Infection in Cats
Depending on the type of bacterial infection, its causes, and your cat’s health condition, the veterinarian will decide the treatment option for your cat. The chief aim of bacterial infection treatment is to clear the infection. 
Antibiotics: In most cases of bacterial infections, your cat may need some antibiotic treatments. These prescribed antibiotics should be given to your cat per the veterinarian’s instruction. The antibiotic and dosage is determined based on your pet’s overall health, weight and the species of bacteria present. Sometimes, your veterinarian may put your cat on a long-term antibiotic treatment plan. It is essential to complete the entire course and until the symptoms have passed. The infection can become resistant to antibiotics if the course is not finished and only the 'hardier' bacteria are left.
Topical Medication: For skin bacterial infection and secondary symptoms, your veterinarian may prescribe some topical drugs and medications. These ointments help to reduce inflammation and skin redness. Certain shampoos may be prescribed to relieve skin itching and inflammation in case of a bacterial skin infection. 
Fever and Pain Medication: If your cat has a fever and body pain, his specific treatment plan may include pain relief and fever medication too. 
Specific Treatment Plans: Specific treatment plans are often prescribed for cats with unusual symptoms while having a bacterial infection. Your veterinarian will decide if your cat requires a specific treatment plan depending on the level of infection he has. In some cases, the veterinarians also perform a minor surgery to anesthetize the cat in order to clean and drain the infectious liquid from a deep bone wound or to drain an abscess or remove a foreign body.

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Recovery of Bacterial Infection in Cats
Bacterial infections in cats are usually easily treated. Monitoring your cat’s health and following vet instructions will speed up the process of recovery. If your cat has open wounds, you will have to get his wound cleaned and dressed regularly. Prevent licking with a buster collar. 
Take your cat back for regular follow-up appointments and ensure to follow the treatment and infection management plan diligently for your cat’s effective and speedy recovery. It is also important to create a comfortable space for your cat during the healing process and limit his outdoor time to prevent other infections too.
Bacterial infections can be expensive to treat. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.
Bacterial Infection Average Cost
From 349 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,500
Average Cost
$500
Top
Bacterial Infection Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
domestic longhair
Eight Years

62 found this helpful

62 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting, Lethargy, Not Eating Or Drinking
Cat was seen by my local vet Dr. High white blood cell count, fever. Presumed infection from addition of a new kitten to household. Began antibiotics yesterday. When does a cat typically get their appetite back after treatment begins? He sniffed his food last night, but didnt eat or drink. Today he continued hiding, and wouldn't even look at food. I am getting nervous that it may be more than a bacterial infection. He was also treated for roundworms and tapeworms. Thank you
Nov. 11, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
62 Recommendations
Hello, it can take a few days for their appetite to return. I reccomend trying boiled chicken or canned tuna to help entice them to eat. If he continues to not want to eat for more than 2 days, it would be best to have your vet check your cat again.
Nov. 11, 2020
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Cat
Nine Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain When Lifted
My cat is having pain with movement, howls any time he tries to move. He will let us pet him on the head and doesn't mind touching his upper body. The vet did xrays and said there was no fracture/no sign of blockage. He had blood&urine tests done. We were told he had elevated white blood cell count, so infection, but weren't given much more info than that. They initially thought it was a UTI, but the urinalysis ruled that out. I am happy to give him the course of antibiotics, but would really like to know more about the cause in case there are preventive steps I can take in the future.
Sept. 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Without being able to see the x-rays, or your cat, it is very difficult for me to say what might be going on, or how to prevent that in the future. The best thing to do would be to call your veterinarian, see what they think might be going on, and ask what you can do to help him, as they know more about his situation and physical situation. I hope that he feels better soon.
Sept. 30, 2020
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Mutt
Four Months

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy Lack Of Appetite Fever
Cat has a fever of 104.5. The vet is closed until monday and i dont know what to do
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I hope that your kitten is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 14, 2020
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Domestic Shorthair
Fourteen Years

9 found this helpful

9 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Face Scabs
My car had a yeast and bacterial infection in her ear 1 month ago (Brown stuff in both ears and scabs on her face); took her to a emergency vet because it was the only appointment I could find due to COVID. They prescribed Mometamax and it cleared up most of the infection but some brown still remained in her ears after finishing the medication. A month later she has a scab on her face again and brown inside her ears. The vet will not prescribe a refill of the medication. What could be causing this? No changes to her diet or lifestyle or any household cleaning products/items, no allergies.
Aug. 3, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
9 Recommendations
Hello- Thank you for your question. The most common cause of recurrent ear infections is allergies. Scabbing on the genius of the face is also another symptom of allergies. In cats approximately 50% of allergies are in diet related and 50% are environmental related. I would schedule a follow up with your veterinarian so they can assess her skin and her ears. They can check to see if there is yeast or bacterial overgrowth. Your vet can discuss potential allergy medication for her long-term or a diet trial for her to help see if these flare ups can be reduced. Take care.
Aug. 3, 2020
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cat
Eleven Years

7 found this helpful

7 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Listless, Not Eating, Pale Gums, Fever
the vet said it is a bacterial infection but did not do blood work. I have had cats all my life and never seen one act like this from an infection. She also acts painful when she walks around or is picked up. She has not eaten in 30 hours and is drinking very little water. Our vet put her on antibiotics and gave her a shot to improve her appetite. hours later she is still not eating. Supposedly she was given subcutaneous fluids but when I got home 4 hours later there was no sign that she had been given any fluids. This is a newer vet for us and I am concerned about the care being complete
July 21, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
7 Recommendations
Hello, So sorry to hear about your cat. From the signs and symptoms that you are describing it sounds like your cat need bloodwork and possibly even IV fluids to get better. If the vet you went to did not recommend these you can find a different vet for a second opinion or even ask the first vet to at least do bloodwork. I hope that your cat starts to feel better soon as there is a lot of things going on that could be causing him to feel this way.
July 21, 2020
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Persian
Sushi
2 Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Bleeding
Fever
Loss Of Appetite
My 2.5 years old cat suddenly start bleeding..... first we thought maybe she was pregnant and she is in labor but after few hours the bleeding was increased and she lose interest in food. We took her to two different vets and both came with different theories about her condition. Now she is having fever and occasionally bleeding. If anyone can help me that would be very helpful. Vet in our country are very expensive and very difficult for me to take her to vet again n again
DOMESTIC
Patch
5 Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Ear Draining
My cat has a Open wound on right ear. Drains all the time. Vet has him on Clavamox for a month now but no improvement still drains. He eats and drinks no problem. Is there anything else that is stronger or can we just keep using the Clavamox? He was a outside cat but when neighbors moved they left him and we took him in. We believe the wound came from fighting. He has been inside for 8 months now.
American Shorthair
Stanley
5 Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing, Green Mucus From Nose
I have adopted a shelter cat. Took him for his first visit to the vet, who determined he had a bacterial infection and put him on Clavamox. The infection SEEMED to clear up, but after about a week, he was sneezing and had green mucus coming from his nose. (Other than this, however, he eats like a horse and is very playful.) The vet put him on another round of Clavamox, which did not really work at all. He then put Stanley on a different antibiotic, called Azithromycin. Stanley has been on it for three days. Yesterday morning he was stuffy, and then he sneezed multiple times in the afternoon and green mucus came out of his nose. He is supposed to be on the medicine for 21 days, but at this point I am starting to wonder whether the medicine will is going to clear up the infection.I will give him the entire course of treatment, but if it doesn't work what should I do? Also, the vet I take Stanley to did not see Stanley before he prescribed the second and third rounds of antibiotics. I just had to pick it up from the vet. I don't want to criticize the vet, but should he have seen Stanley before he prescribed the second and third rounds of medicine?
Long haired
maverick
8 Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing
Sneezing Coughing
my cat maverick has been sneezing frequently which often results in thick looking boogers coming out his nose. He sometimes make a wheezing/ coughing noise. Other than that his appetite and everything else seems normal.
Norwegian forest cat
Kirby
5 Months

1 found this helpful

1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
Fever
Stiffness
Lameness
Lathargy
Kirby was showing symptoms of lathargy and unmotivation for playing or getting up. He appeared to have pain and walked stiffly, to avoid giving himself more discomfort. He didn't move if he didn't have to, and even flicked his tail side to side when I picked him up, showing he wasn't happy about me doing that. We took him to the vet and they found him to have a fever of 105.2° F, so they put him on IV, gave him some injections, and then prescribed pain meds and an antibiotic. He's feeling much better so far. Kirby was very thankful and cuddled up with us after we got home.
Bacterial Infection Average Cost
From 349 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,500
Average Cost
$500

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