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 be fatal 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: The most common symptoms of a Feline Herpes Virus (FHV-1) infection are:
The Eyes: The virus affects the membranes of the eyes. (Conjunctivitis) The eyes are swollen and red with a discharge that turns purulent (Purulent means 'filled with pus') as secondary bacterial infection invades. Sometimes the cat develop corneal ulcers.
The Nose: The nasal linings are inflamed (Rhinitis) and sneezing is usual. There is a discharge from the nose which begins as a clear fluid which can turn thick and green as the disease progresses. Cats often lose their sense of smell.
Fever and Depression & Loss of Appetite: 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.
Cat Flu: What are the signs? The most common symptoms of Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
The Mouth and Tongue: The 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 Nose and Eyes: 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.
Fever and Depression: The cat may or may not have a fever. Loss 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.
The Joints: 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.
The Paws: There are several strains of the calicivirus and one of those strains causes ulcers in the paws.
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 be fatal 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: The most common symptoms of a Feline Herpes Virus (FHV-1) infection are:
The Eyes: The virus affects the membranes of the eyes. (Conjunctivitis) The eyes are swollen and red with a discharge that turns purulent (Purulent means 'filled with pus') as secondary bacterial infection invades. Sometimes the cat develop corneal ulcers.
The Nose: The nasal linings are inflamed (Rhinitis) and sneezing is usual. There is a discharge from the nose which begins as a clear fluid which can turn thick and green as the disease progresses. Cats often lose their sense of smell.
Fever and Depression & Loss of Appetite: 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.
Cat Flu: What are the signs? The most common symptoms of Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
The Mouth and Tongue: The 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 Nose and Eyes: 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.
Fever and Depression: The cat may or may not have a fever. Loss 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.
The Joints: 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.
The Paws: There are several strains of the calicivirus and one of those strains causes ulcers in the paws.
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