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Written by Sonia
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FELINE UPPER
RESPIRATORY TRACT
DISEASE- (CAT FLU.)
Cat flu is a common cat disease that can be life-threatening. Symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, discharge from the eyes, and loss of appetite, fever and depression. Occasionally, mouth and eye ulcers and excessive drooling can be seen. The very old and the very young immunosuppressed cats are more likely to develop severe diseases and possibly die as a result of their flu. Where death occurs this is usually because of secondary infections (infections with bacteria in addition to the flu viruses) lack of nutrition and dehydration.
Who is at risk?
Cat flu is most commonly seen in situations where cats are kept in large groups such as breeding catteries, leisure centres and feral cat colonies, although it can be seen in pet cat households.
Cats most at risk include unvaccinated cats, kittens, the elderly and cats which are immunosuppressed for any reason. In immunosuppressed cats, damage to the immune system has left them vulnerable to a wide variety of diseases with which they would otherwise be able to cope. Immunosuppressed can be cats infected with the feline leukaemia virus (felv9 or feline immunodeficiency virus (fiv) and cats with other severe illnesses or in those receiving treatment with certain medications such as corticosteroids or anti-cancer therapy.
Although vaccination helps to reduce the risk of cat flu, this disease can still be seen in vaccinated cats.
Causes and symptoms.
The symptoms of cat flu are frequently caused by infection with cat flu virus, the feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis by a veterinary surgeon is based on symptoms and laboratory tests. Testing for flu viruses requires a mouth swab which is then sent to a specialist lab where the virus is grown and identified.
Unfortunately there are no drugs available to kill these viruses at present. Severely ill cats may require hospital for feeding by a tube placed down their nose or directly into their stomach.
Carriers
Most cats that recover from cat flu become “carriers.”
Spread.
Cat flu viruses are spread in three ways.
● Direct contact with an infected cat showing signs of cat flu.
● From contact with the virus carried on clothing, food bowls and other objects (toys.) The virus is able to survive in the environment for up to a week.
● From contact with a cat that is a carrier of cat flu. Breeding carrier cats are a risk to kittens that may contract the infection before they are old enough to vaccinate.
Prevention
The risk of developing cat flu can be reduced by regular vaccinations of all household cats especially if any or all of them goes outside a lot, stays in a cattery or attends cat shows.
Any problems call Sonia at lezsonja´s Boarding Kennels on 677343653.
If anybody wants pet info email Sonia at
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Cat flu is a common cat disease that can be life-threatening. Symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, discharge from the eyes, and loss of appetite, fever and depression. Occasionally, mouth and eye ulcers and excessive drooling can be seen. The very old and the very young immunosuppressed cats are more likely to develop severe diseases and possibly die as a result of their flu. Where death occurs this is usually because of secondary infections (infections with bacteria in addition to the flu viruses) lack of nutrition and dehydration.
Who is at risk?
Cat flu is most commonly seen in situations where cats are kept in large groups such as breeding catteries, leisure centres and feral cat colonies, although it can be seen in pet cat households.
Cats most at risk include unvaccinated cats, kittens, the elderly and cats which are immunosuppressed for any reason. In immunosuppressed cats, damage to the immune system has left them vulnerable to a wide variety of diseases with which they would otherwise be able to cope. Immunosuppressed can be cats infected with the feline leukaemia virus (felv9 or feline immunodeficiency virus (fiv) and cats with other severe illnesses or in those receiving treatment with certain medications such as corticosteroids or anti-cancer therapy.
Although vaccination helps to reduce the risk of cat flu, this disease can still be seen in vaccinated cats.
Causes and symptoms.
The symptoms of cat flu are frequently caused by infection with cat flu virus, the feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis by a veterinary surgeon is based on symptoms and laboratory tests. Testing for flu viruses requires a mouth swab which is then sent to a specialist lab where the virus is grown and identified.
Unfortunately there are no drugs available to kill these viruses at present. Severely ill cats may require hospital for feeding by a tube placed down their nose or directly into their stomach.
Carriers
Most cats that recover from cat flu become “carriers.”
Spread.
Cat flu viruses are spread in three ways.
● Direct contact with an infected cat showing signs of cat flu.
● From contact with the virus carried on clothing, food bowls and other objects (toys.) The virus is able to survive in the environment for up to a week.
● From contact with a cat that is a carrier of cat flu. Breeding carrier cats are a risk to kittens that may contract the infection before they are old enough to vaccinate.
Prevention
The risk of developing cat flu can be reduced by regular vaccinations of all household cats especially if any or all of them goes outside a lot, stays in a cattery or attends cat shows.
Any problems call Sonia at lezsonja´s Boarding Kennels on 677343653.
If anybody wants pet info email Sonia at
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
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