FELINE UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION

 

 

There are many causes of respiratory infections in the cat, both viral and bacterial.

 

Respiratory infections are usually viral and are often HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS to other cats. They may cause serious disease that can, sometimes, even result in death of the cat. Feline respiratory infections are thought to be spread primarily by carriers, which show no outward signs of disease.  These are often animals that have recently had the disease and recovered.

 

The great majority of feline respiratory diseases result from two easily transmitted infections: feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), caused by a herpesvirus, and feline calicivirus (FCV, pronounced kah-LEE-see virus) infection. FVR and FCV infection result in similar illnesses, characterized by nasal and ocular discharge, conjuctivitits, ulcers of the oral cavity, anorexia, depression and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Cats usually recover in 1 to 2 weeks, although cats with FVR can become persistently infected after returning to normal, shedding the virus during periods of stress. FVR can result in abortion of infected fetuses. Kittens are at greatest risk of FVR and FCV because they usually have had no prior vaccination or exposure and are highly susceptible to infection. Chlamydia psittaci (klah-MID-ee-ah-kye) baceria are a less common cause of feline respiratory disease, but can increase the severity of FVR or FCV infection.

 

Direct contact or indirect contact, such as hands, clothing, food bowls, etc may spread these diseases.  Clinical signs are usually seen 3-7 days after exposure.

 

The most common symptoms include fever, sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge, drooling, mouth ulcers, and loss of appetite, which is the result of the loss of smelling reflexes.  Death is usually due to airway obstruction, dehydration, or malnutrition.

 

After recovery, the cat continues to shed the virus for several months, possibly infecting other cats. Recovered cats may soon be susceptible to re-infection unless appropriately vaccinated.  Therefore all cats should be vaccinated as soon as possible after recovery.  Primary vaccination is done when kittens are 8 - 12 weeks old, and then boosters are given once each year in a combination vaccine covering many of the feline respiratory viruses.

 

§        Please do not give your cat any over the counter medications.

§        Do NOT give aspirin or Tylenolä. One Tylenolä can kill your cat!