Feline Herpes Infections

Feline herpes is also known as FVH-1, feline viral rhinopneumonitis and the rhinotracheitis virus, and is a virus that can cause serious health problems for cats. A common disease, it spreads very quickly among cats. Once a cat has feline herpes, it will continue to be a carrier for the rest of its life.

  1. Infection

    • Feline herpes can infect any cat, but kittens are at the greatest risk. The virus spreads from discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth, and sharing food dishes, water dishes and litter pans can spread the infection. Some cats have feline herpes but they do not show symptoms, which makes detection more difficult.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of feline herpes include a runny discharge from the eyes, the nose and the mouth. The cat's eyelids might also be inflamed, called conjunctivitis, and the cat may develop small lesions around the eyes. Because of these issues, secondary infections might also be present.

    Prevention

    • Prevention of feline herpes infections is through the administration of a vaccine. Veterinarians can vaccinate a cat for feline herpes and feline calicivirus at the same time. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, feline herpes and feline calicivirus together are responsible for 80 to 90 percent of all feline upper respiratory infections, and veterinarians highly recommend this vaccination,

    Treatment

    • If feline herpes virus has infected a cat, it will continue to be a carrier for its entire life, even if it does not show symptoms of infection. Oral antibiotics and antiviral medications may clear a flare-up of the virus. In cases where the cat has swollen or irritated eyes, owners may administrate eye drops.

    Maintenance

    • Once a cat has a feline herpes virus infection, owners can avoid further complications through routine care. They can help cats avoid stress through scheduled feedings that occur in the same location. A routine will help the cat feel more comfortable. Owners can also use lysine to prevent flare-ups as lysine interrupts the virus's ability to replicate.