If you've ever noticed your cat sneezing, with watery eyes and a runny nose, you might have assumed it was just a mild cold. But what if those symptoms keep coming back or worsen over time?
Feline herpesvirus is one of the most infectious diseases in cats. It affects a large percentage of cats worldwide, with its highly contagious nature targeting the respiratory system and the eyes. In this blog, we’re going to share everything you need to know about this viral disease.
What Is Feline Herpesvirus?
Feline herpesvirus is a common viral infection that affects the eyes, nose, and throat. It’s one of the leading causes of upper respiratory infections in cats, especially kittens and those in shelters.
FHV belongs to the Herpesviridae family and affects only cats. Once a cat is infected, the virus stays and never fully disappears. It simply enters a dormant state and reactivates when it gets the chance, such as when cats experience stress or illness.
How Do Cats Get Feline Herpesvirus?
Cats can get FHV through direct contact, sharing contaminated objects and environments, and nursing.
Direct Contact
FHV primarily spreads through bodily fluids, such as saliva, nasal discharge, and eye secretions. When cats come into contact with these, they can get infected. Plus, grooming, fighting, and other physical interactions can also spread FHV among cats.
Contaminated Objects and Environments
The virus can survive in the environment for around 1 to 2 days, meaning food bowls, litter boxes, or toys used by infected cats can spread the disease. This also includes the objects we use when touched by infected cats.
Mother to Kitten
Mother cats with feline herpesvirus can also transmit the disease through nursing or grooming.
What Are the Symptoms of FHV?
The symptoms of feline herpesvirus include upper respiratory distress, eye issues, and general illness. They are listed below.
Respiratory Symptoms
Sneezing. One of the usual signs of FHV, and is also one of the most common ways it spreads.
Coughing. Some cats may develop a mild cough due to the irritation.
Runny nose. Discharge may be present, with some cats having a runny nose.
Nasal congestion. The inflammation inside the nasal passages causes stuffiness.
Ocular Symptoms
Conjunctivitis. The lining of the way becomes inflamed, resulting in redness and swelling. Also known as pink eye.
Excessive squinting. Cats may squint or keep their eyes partially closed due to the pain.
Corneal ulcers. Open sores can form on the surface of the eye as the virus destroys corneal epithelial cells.
Watery eyes. Increased tear production is common in cats with FHV.
General Symptoms
Fever. Cats may develop a mild to moderate fever as the body fights off the infection.
Lethargy. Some cats appear tired and uninterested in normal activities.
Loss of appetite. The overall discomfort and symptoms can reduce a cat’s appetite.
How Do Vets Diagnose Feline Herpesvirus?
We start by physically examining your cat and reviewing their medical history. Our team will check your cat’s symptoms before proceeding to a few laboratory tests.
Polymerase Chain Reaction Test
Our vets collect swabs from the mouth, eye, or nose to obtain a sample. These are then sent to the lab, where billions of copies of the viral DNA are created, allowing us to detect its presence. If your cat has FHV, then there will be DNA in the sample, If not, then it won’t be detected.
Eye Exam
We’ll also take a look at your cat’s eyes and its condition. Our team can do an eye stain test, where we use a special dye to highlight scratches on the surface, if there are any.
How Is FHV Treated?
There’s no dedicated cure for FHV, which is why we focus on supportive care and management.
Medications
We use famciclovir to inhibit the replication of the virus, reduce symptoms, and decrease the shedding. It can also shorten the duration of this viral disease, helping cats recover. For secondary infections, we prescribe antibiotics to treat these problems.
If the eyes are affected, medicated eye drops are often prescribed.
Supportive Care
Preventing flare-ups is key, so we focus on keeping your cat’s nose and eyes clean. We also provide a detailed nutritional plan to help with recovery.
How to Protect Your Cat From Feline Herpesvirus?
The main steps are to vaccinate your cat and keep their surroundings clean and stress-free. Here are some key tips to follow:
Vaccinate Your Cat
Kittens should receive their core cat vaccinations, which include protection against feline herpesvirus. Boosters will be given every 1-3 years.
Clean Your Cat’s Belongings
Always sanitize your cat’s food and water bowls, litter boxes, bedding, and other belongings. Wash your hands properly as well after.
Reduce Stress
Avoid sudden changes in their environment, routine, and food. Try to keep the home safe, comfortable, and stress-free.
“Our cats deserve all the help we can give them to protect them from dangerous diseases.”
- Dr. Lidija Krvavac
Final Thoughts
Feline herpesvirus is a difficult disease to deal with, especially since it cannot be cured. Let’s do our part by taking the steps to protect our cats and shield them from the many dangers of this disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the life expectancy of a cat with herpesvirus?
Cats with FHV generally have a normal life expectancy, as the virus doesn’t shorten their lifespan. Most cats live full and healthy lives, sometimes with periodic flare-ups.
Will FHV go away on its own?
No, feline herpesvirus doesn’t go away on its own, as infected cats are carriers for life. Once a cat is infected, the symptoms can flare up and will resolve with professional care.
Can humans get this disease from cats?
No, humans cannot get FHV from cats, as it’s species-specific.
Can vaccinated cats still get FHV?
Yes, even vaccinated cats can get infected with FHV, as the vaccine doesn’t guarantee 100% protection. However, the chance is very slim, and the severity of the symptoms of infected vaccinated cats is significantly reduced.
Is this disease fatal?
Feline herpesvirus isn’t generally fatal in cats, but it is dangerous for young kittens and older cats.
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