Cat Flu Symptoms, treatment and causes

(Upper Respiratory Disease)

Cat with Cat Flu Symptoms. Inflamed and Discharging Eyes

1
Facebook564TwitterPinterest13
Cat flu is the general name given to a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract in

cats. It is a common disease in cats and although not usually fatal in previously healthy adult
cats it can cause death in kittens and immuno-suppressed older cats.
Cat flu is most commonly caused by the Feline Herpes Virus-1 (FHV-1), or Feline
Calicivirus (FCV). Feline Herpes Virus is the more serious of the two. It is also known as
Feline Virus Rhinotracheitis which is an older term for the virus. Feline Herpes virus infects
the membranes of the eyes, the lining of the nose, pharynx, sinuses, and throat. Cat flu in
general is a very contagious disease and can spread quickly from cat to cat.
The most common symptoms of a Feline Herpes Virus infection are:
The virus affects the membranes of the eyes. (Conjunctivitis) The eyes are swollen
and red with a discharge that is often filled with pus when secondary bacterial infection
invade. Sometimes the cat may develop corneal ulcers. Sneezing is one of the most common
symptoms. The nasal linings are inflamed (Rhinitis). There is a discharge from the nose
which begins as a clear fluid. The discharge then turns thick and green as the disease
progresses. Cats can often lose their sense of smell. Often the cat runs a fever and generally
feels unwell. Cats will often lose their appetite and sometimes become dehydrated. Although

they are dehydrated they may refuse to drink water. Often a pregnant cat will abort the kittens
if infected with Feline Herpes Virus. 2If the kittens are born it is almost certain that they will
catch the infection from the mother.
Cat Flu Symptoms. Eyes discharge pus and are red and swollen. 3The most common
symptom of Feline Calicivirus is ulceration of the mouth and tongue, palate, lips and
sometimes the tip of the nose. The gums can also be affected by gingivitis. Drooling can
occur depending on the severity of the mouth ulcers. The calicivirus causes cold like
symptoms which result in runny nose and eyes. The infection can affect the membranes of the
eye but does not cause eye ulcers. The cat may or may not have a fever. 4Loss of appetite may
occur but it is more common that the cat finds it too painful to eat because of the mouth
ulcers. The infection becomes more serious when secondary bacterial infections like
pneumonia invade. Joint pain can occur and you may notice your cat limping. FCV has been
reported to cause a limping syndrome. The limping can affect first one leg and then another.
There are several strains of the calicivirus and one of those strains causes ulcers in the paws.
Diagnosis is made by your vet. Your vet will make this diagnosis based on symptoms
and can have the diagnosis confirmed by taking a swab from your cat's throat and sending it
to the laboratory for testing.
Cat flu is seldom fatal in previously healthy cats. Infected cats will require intensive
nursing and support. Kittens are more at risk from cat flu than adult cats. 5There is no cure for
a viral infection however the cat can be kept as comfortable as possible by keeping it warm
and treating the symptoms. Your vet may prescribe eye drops or ointment for the
conjunctivitis, Corneal ulcers must be examined by your vet who will recommend
appropriate treatment. Discharging eyes and nose should be bathed frequently with warm
salty water. Secondary bacterial infection can be treated by your vet with antibiotics. Mouth
ulcers can be severe and cause your cat to stop eating. Your vet needs to be consulted if your
cat has stopped eating and drinking. Sometimes the cat has to be hospitalized and force fed
because the mouth ulcers are so painful the cat refuses to eat. Dehydrated cats may need to be
put on intravenous fluids and this will require spending a day or two in hospital. If the cat has
lost it's sense of smell it will lose interest in it's food. Encourage your cat to eat by offering it
strongly smelling food such as sardines.
6
Infected cats should be kept isolated from other cats. The virus spreads from cat to
cat contact and with contact from the discharge from the nose and eyes. It can also spread
from the cat sneezing much the same way a cold is spread in humans. The virus can live
outside the cat's body for a period of time and so infection can be transmitted via bowls,
bedding, cages or in fact anything your cat comes into contact with. You can also spread the

virus your self from one cat to another on your hands or on your clothing. The Herpes Virus
can live outside the cat's body for approximately 24 hours but the Calicivirus can survive
much longer sometimes for up to 7 - 10 days. Household bleach mixed at a ratio of 1:32 is a
inexpensive and effective way of destroying the virus on washable items. Cat flu cannot be
spread to humans.
Feline Herpes Virus symptoms usually lasts for about 7 -14 days and Calicivirus
symptoms usually last for about 7 - 10 days.
When cats have recovered from Cat Flu they continue to shed the virus especially at
times of stress. Although they do not show any symptoms they have in fact become a carrier
of the virus. With Feline Herpes Virus the carrier state can last the lifetime of the cat. With
Feline Calicivirus the carrier state lasts for at least one month after infection. Over half of
infected cats eliminate the virus after 2-3 months and most cats do eliminate it completely
after 18 months.
There are vaccinations available for Feline Herpes Virus-1 and Feline calicivirus
(FCV). Discuss a vaccination regime with your veterinarian.
SUMMARY
Sentence
1. Cat flu is a disease of the respiratory tract above.
2. Cat newborn contaminated the flu through his mother.
3. The indication of Feline calicivirus is ulceration in around oral and nasal cavity.
4. Loss of appetit can happen because mouth ulcers are present in the cat.
5. There are no drugs that recover viral infections disease but it is best to keep and treat
the symptoms.
Paragraph
6. Cats infected should be isolated. Cat flu can spread through contact with dicharge
from nose and eyes, sneezing, environment, cage, feed and human hands but cat flu is
not contagious to humans. Calicivirus can survive longer than herpesvirus outside the
body of the cat. Household bleach at a ratio of 1:32 is the best destroying the virus on
washable items.