Cat Flu & Humans

Cat flu is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. It is common and not dangerous for healthy adult cats, but can be fatal for kittens and older cats with weak immune systems. The symptoms are similar to human flu, but it cannot transfer from cat to human or vice versa.

  1. Symptoms

    • Cats suffering from flu experience a runny nose, respiratory difficulties and sneezing. The eyes may be swollen and red with a liquid discharge. The nose is inflamed and the cat's sense of smell becomes less sensitive. Ulcers may appear in the paws and mouth. The cat may run a fever and generally seem less active. Joint pain may occur, causing the cat to limp. In more severe cases, there may be diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding. Cat flu usually persists for seven to 14 days.

    Spread

    • There is no risk of humans getting flu from a cat, so you can take care of your sick feline without worrying about getting sick yourself. The reverse is also true; cats cannot catch flu from humans. A house with more than one cat should take extra precautions to prevent the virus from spreading to other cats. A cat suffering from cat flu or a healthy cat carrying the flu virus sheds virus particles through its saliva, eye discharge and nasal discharge. It may be spread via shared toys, food bowls and clothes of humans who have come into contact with the sick cat.

    Virus

    • The cat flu virus is not the same as the human flu virus. There are two viruses that cause most cases of cat flu: Feline Herpes Virus-1 (FVH-1) and Feline Calicivirus (FCV). FVH-1 virus is more severe and is more likely to cause eye ulcers, while the milder FCV is more likely to cause mouth ulcers. Virus particles can be spread by ill cats and cats that are healthy but carry the virus without showing flu symptoms. After an infection, many cats continue to carry the virus for life, which means that they can still infect other cats.

    Treatment

    • Cats should never be treated with human flu medication. When cat flu symptoms appear, you should consult a veterinarian, who can determine whether it is common cat flu or a more serious condition. If a kitten or an older cat shows a small infection without the heavier cat flu symptoms, a veterinarian should be consulted because they are more vulnerable. Cat flu can be treated with vaccines, medications and antibiotics. Because the cat has a sore throat and a desensitized sense of smell, it should be fed sloppy foods with strong smells. Encourage the cat to drink, and wipe away discharges regularly using salt water.

    Prevention

    • Vaccinations for FHV-1 and FCV are not effective against other types of flu. Cat flu only occurs when the cat's immune system is weak, so it can be prevented by providing immune system support for your cat. Although the virus is different from the human flu, the preventative methods are similar. Fresh air, Vitamin C and cat supplements should help protect a cat from cat flu. There may also be injections that can help strengthen the cat's immune system. Always discuss giving supplements to your cat with a veterinarian.