Cat Flu

Cat flu is a common disease in cats. It is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Although it is not fatal in healthy cats, the same thing could not be said with kittens and immunosuppressed older cats. Feline Herpes Virus 1 or Feline calicivirus is the most common cause of this infection.The virus infects the nose, pharynx, sinuses, the throat, and the membranes of the cat's eyes.

Symptoms:

Eyes

    * reddish
    * with purulent discharge
    * swollen
    * Sometimes cats develop corneal ulcer
Nose

    * Rhinitis / runny nose / sneezing
    * discharge that begins as clear fluid then turns to thick green mucus
    * Though we're not aware of it, cats often lose their sense of smell

Other signs:

• fever
• loss of appetite
• depression
• dehydration
• On pregnant cats, they oftentimes abort the kittens. Kittens born of infected mother catch the infection too.

Signs of Feline Calicivirus:

 
Mouth / Tongue

• ulceration of mouth, tongue, lips, palate, and sometimes the tip of nose
• drooling
• gingivitis or gum infection

Eyes / Nose

• runny nose / eyes

Joints

• cat limping due to joint pain - usually affects one leg then both legs.

Paws

• ulceration of paws

Fever / Depression

•  the cat may or may not have fever
•  loss of appetite due to mouth ulcers
•  secondary bacterial infections such as pneumonia may invade if the infection becomes serious.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is confirmed by taking a swab test of the cat's throat and sending it to the lab. Your vet will make the diagnosis based on the lab result, and the signs and symptoms your pet shows.

Treatment

Cat flu should not be ignored, so ask your vet for some advice. Viral infection has no cure, however you can keep your cat warm, comfortable, and treat the symptoms by:

• administering eye drops / ointment for conjunctivitis which your vet may prescribe
•  bathing the discharging eyes / nose with warm salty water as needed
•  having your cat examined by your vet for corneal ulcers and ask for the appropriate treatment if your pet has it
•  preventing secondary bacterial infection by treating your cat with antibiotics which your vet may prescribe

If your cat stopped eating and drinking, it must be due to the mouth ulcers which cause him discomfort. Consult your vet, your cat probably needs to be hospitalized and forced fed. Intravenous fluid may need to be administered in dehydrated cats and this will require a day or two in the hospital. Another appetite killer is loss of sense of smell. Provide your cat with strongly smelling food such as sardines to encourage him to eat.

How is Feline Herpes Virus and Feline Calicivirus spread?

The virus can be passed from cat to cat contact and from their nose and eyes discharge that is why infected cats should be isolated from the other cats. It can also be spread from the cat sneezing just the same way a cold is spread in people. Infection can also be transmitted via anything your cat comes into contact with such as bedding, cages, and bowls because the virus can live outside your cat's body for a period of time. The Herpes virus and Calicivirus can survive outside the cat's body for 24 hours and up to 7-10 days respectively. You can also pass the virus yourself through handling of the sick cat then the other cats and via your clothes. It is important to wash your hands right after handling your sick cat. Another way of destroying the virus is by using household bleach on washable items, at a ratio of 1:32. The cat flu cannot be spread to humans.

How long can Cat Flu last?

Feline Herpes Virus symptoms usually lasts for 7 -14 days while Calicivirus symptoms usually lasts for 7 - 10 days.

Will my cat be a carrier of Cat Flu?

Cats can continue to shed the virus even after they have recovered from cat flu. Although the previously infected cat do not show signs and symptoms, he becomes a carrier of the virus. The carrier state on Feline Herpes virus can last the cat's lifetime, while the carrier state on Feline Calicivirus can last for at least a month. About 50% of the infected cats eliminate the virus 2-3 months after recovering and most cats completely eliminate it 18 months after.

Prevention

Consult your vet about vaccinations available for Feline Herpes Virus 1 and Feline Calicivirus.
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