Cat Flu
A number of infectious agents have been found to cause cat ‘flu
but the vast majority of cases will be caused by one of two
viruses.
What are the signs of 'cat flu'?
Signs of cat ‘flu are similar to colds and flu in people. One of the two major viral causes of feline ‘flu (feline herpes virus also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis virus) tends to cause a more severe problem. Affected cats develop a clear discharge from the nose and eyes which becomes thick and purulent as the disease progresses. Cats tend to be dull and depressed. They have a raised temperature and are reluctant to eat. Coughing and sneezing is common. Signs usually resolve in 2-3 weeks but some cats are left with a long-term intermittent nasal discharge or eye disease.
The second virus (feline calici virus) tends to cause less serious disease. A number of different strains exist and signs can be variable depending on the strain involved. Ulceration of the tongue, nose and hard palate is a prominent feature. Some strains of the virus are associated with a lameness and fever syndrome in young kittens. The virus is often found in cats with long-standing inflammation of the gums but the precise role of the virus in this condition remains unclear. In recent years a more severe form of disease has been seen where an apparently new highly virulent strain of calici virus has appeared. Affected cats have puffy faces and paws, fever, jaundice and haemorrhage in addition to signs of respiratory disease.
The viruses are the main causes of cat ‘flu but there are other infectious agents which may cause similar signs. Bordetella bronchiseptica is one such bacterium which is known to cause cat 'flu. Cat ‘flu is rarely fatal nowadays but affected cats may require quite intensive nursing and medical treatment for several days or weeks before they get better and recovered cats can be left with respiratory or eye problems for the rest of their lives.
How is cat ‘flu diagnosed?
In most cases the diagnosis is made on obvious signs but we may need to identify a specific cause of the problem. This can be achieved by swabbing the cat's mouth or eyes and submitting the sample to a laboratory where the virus and/or bacterium can be grown and identified.
What treatments are available?
As for colds and flu, specific anti-viral treatments are not generally available. Treatment is aimed at controlling any secondary bacterial infections (with antibiotics) and stimulating appetite and thirst. Anti-viral drugs which are used to treat herpes virus infections in people (cold sores) can be used in cats but generally the response is not as good and the drug needs to be used early in the course of infection. (Don’t use non- veterinary medications without consulting your veterinary surgeon). There have been some anecdotal reports of the benefits of interferons in the treatment of Herpes and Calici virus infected cats. The amino acid L-lysine has been advocated as a possible treatment for Herpes virus infections.
What can be done to help an affected cat?
Your cat can be encouraged to eat and drink using drugs such as multivitamins and those which help dissolve secretions. Good nursing is vital. Try to keep the eyes and nose clear of secretions by gently bathing with dampened cotton wool. Inhaling steam can help break up the mucus and ease the breathing. Take your cat into the bathroom when you have a shower or a bath or place your cat in a wire basket placed beside a bowl of steaming water and drape a towel over the two. Oils such as eucalyptus should be avoided as they can cause ulceration of the nose. A bunged up nose will cause a cat to lose its appetite so try offering strong smelling foods such as sardines. Warm food to body temperature and try hand feeding- a little bit of pampering may be just what’s needed to help your cat. Severely ill cats may need admission to the veterinary practice to allow specialised veterinary treatment.
How can cat ‘flu be prevented?
For most cats annual vaccination alone is sufficient. It’s important to realise that vaccination will not necessarily prevent your cat becoming infected but will drastically reduce the severity of the disease. In multi-cat households, particularly where new cats are continually arriving (rescue or breeding), vaccination alone may not be sufficient to control the problem. In these households isolation and quarantine is also required. Disinfection, whilst an important part of disease control generally, is of limited value in respiratory virus control as most cats become infected by droplets sneezed or coughed out by infected cats. Obviously ill cats, or those suspected of being carriers, should be isolated and handled last, their food bowls and litter trays disinfected and the owners hands, face and boots washed before handling other cats. Where possible separate clothing or overalls should be worn. New arrivals to the group should be quarantined for 7-10 days in case they are developing cat ‘flu. Unfortunately, quarantine will not identify carrier cats. In households where cat ‘flu is widespread, queens should give birth in isolation from other cats and, where possible, the kittens remain in isolation until vaccinated.
What are carrier cats?
Carriers are cats who are infected with cat ‘flu but are not showing any obvious signs. Carriers are only infectious to other animals when they are shedding the virus. Viral shedding can be constant or intermittent. Around 80% of cats infected with the herpes virus become carriers for life but only shed the virus during periods of stress (e.g. rehoming, boarding at a cattery). With calici virus infection, the cats usually secrete the virus for several months after the initial infection.
What should I do if my cat is a carrier?
Nothing can be done to change the carrier status of your cat so it is important to limit the contact which your cat has with unvaccinated cats or kittens.
My cat has had cat ‘flu. Should I bother to vaccinate it?
YES! Your cat is likely to have been infected with only one of the viruses so will still be susceptible to infection with the other.
What are the signs of 'cat flu'?
Signs of cat ‘flu are similar to colds and flu in people. One of the two major viral causes of feline ‘flu (feline herpes virus also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis virus) tends to cause a more severe problem. Affected cats develop a clear discharge from the nose and eyes which becomes thick and purulent as the disease progresses. Cats tend to be dull and depressed. They have a raised temperature and are reluctant to eat. Coughing and sneezing is common. Signs usually resolve in 2-3 weeks but some cats are left with a long-term intermittent nasal discharge or eye disease.
The second virus (feline calici virus) tends to cause less serious disease. A number of different strains exist and signs can be variable depending on the strain involved. Ulceration of the tongue, nose and hard palate is a prominent feature. Some strains of the virus are associated with a lameness and fever syndrome in young kittens. The virus is often found in cats with long-standing inflammation of the gums but the precise role of the virus in this condition remains unclear. In recent years a more severe form of disease has been seen where an apparently new highly virulent strain of calici virus has appeared. Affected cats have puffy faces and paws, fever, jaundice and haemorrhage in addition to signs of respiratory disease.
The viruses are the main causes of cat ‘flu but there are other infectious agents which may cause similar signs. Bordetella bronchiseptica is one such bacterium which is known to cause cat 'flu. Cat ‘flu is rarely fatal nowadays but affected cats may require quite intensive nursing and medical treatment for several days or weeks before they get better and recovered cats can be left with respiratory or eye problems for the rest of their lives.
How is cat ‘flu diagnosed?
In most cases the diagnosis is made on obvious signs but we may need to identify a specific cause of the problem. This can be achieved by swabbing the cat's mouth or eyes and submitting the sample to a laboratory where the virus and/or bacterium can be grown and identified.
What treatments are available?
As for colds and flu, specific anti-viral treatments are not generally available. Treatment is aimed at controlling any secondary bacterial infections (with antibiotics) and stimulating appetite and thirst. Anti-viral drugs which are used to treat herpes virus infections in people (cold sores) can be used in cats but generally the response is not as good and the drug needs to be used early in the course of infection. (Don’t use non- veterinary medications without consulting your veterinary surgeon). There have been some anecdotal reports of the benefits of interferons in the treatment of Herpes and Calici virus infected cats. The amino acid L-lysine has been advocated as a possible treatment for Herpes virus infections.
What can be done to help an affected cat?
Your cat can be encouraged to eat and drink using drugs such as multivitamins and those which help dissolve secretions. Good nursing is vital. Try to keep the eyes and nose clear of secretions by gently bathing with dampened cotton wool. Inhaling steam can help break up the mucus and ease the breathing. Take your cat into the bathroom when you have a shower or a bath or place your cat in a wire basket placed beside a bowl of steaming water and drape a towel over the two. Oils such as eucalyptus should be avoided as they can cause ulceration of the nose. A bunged up nose will cause a cat to lose its appetite so try offering strong smelling foods such as sardines. Warm food to body temperature and try hand feeding- a little bit of pampering may be just what’s needed to help your cat. Severely ill cats may need admission to the veterinary practice to allow specialised veterinary treatment.
How can cat ‘flu be prevented?
For most cats annual vaccination alone is sufficient. It’s important to realise that vaccination will not necessarily prevent your cat becoming infected but will drastically reduce the severity of the disease. In multi-cat households, particularly where new cats are continually arriving (rescue or breeding), vaccination alone may not be sufficient to control the problem. In these households isolation and quarantine is also required. Disinfection, whilst an important part of disease control generally, is of limited value in respiratory virus control as most cats become infected by droplets sneezed or coughed out by infected cats. Obviously ill cats, or those suspected of being carriers, should be isolated and handled last, their food bowls and litter trays disinfected and the owners hands, face and boots washed before handling other cats. Where possible separate clothing or overalls should be worn. New arrivals to the group should be quarantined for 7-10 days in case they are developing cat ‘flu. Unfortunately, quarantine will not identify carrier cats. In households where cat ‘flu is widespread, queens should give birth in isolation from other cats and, where possible, the kittens remain in isolation until vaccinated.
What are carrier cats?
Carriers are cats who are infected with cat ‘flu but are not showing any obvious signs. Carriers are only infectious to other animals when they are shedding the virus. Viral shedding can be constant or intermittent. Around 80% of cats infected with the herpes virus become carriers for life but only shed the virus during periods of stress (e.g. rehoming, boarding at a cattery). With calici virus infection, the cats usually secrete the virus for several months after the initial infection.
What should I do if my cat is a carrier?
Nothing can be done to change the carrier status of your cat so it is important to limit the contact which your cat has with unvaccinated cats or kittens.
My cat has had cat ‘flu. Should I bother to vaccinate it?
YES! Your cat is likely to have been infected with only one of the viruses so will still be susceptible to infection with the other.