What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Cat Flu?

Cat flu is a term applied to any feline upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. The cat flu is not similar to the flu virus in humans, and is not zoonotic, meaning it cannot spread to other species. Cat flu can spread to other cats, and is particularly harmful to old cats, extremely young kittens, cats that are pregnant or nursing and cats with a weakened or compromised immune system. If you suspect your cat is suffering from a viral infection, seek veterinary medical care.

  1. Nose

    • A runny nose is just one indication of the cat flu. A runny nose, or rhinitis, is an excess of mucous discharge ("snot") from the nose. Oftentimes this discharge will be thicker than would be seen with other problems such as allergies. The discharge may be clear, but will often change to an off-white, yellow or green color as the illness progresses. A cat with a runny nose caused by cat flu may lose all or some of its sense of smell.

    Eyes

    • Cats who are ill with cat flu may have runny eyes. Runny eyes are caused by either a discharge of mucous or pus, or from excess tear production. Occasionally this discharge is so bad, it must be wiped away from the cat's eyes in order to prevent the eyes from crusting shut. More severe cases like this are usually caused by a swelling of the eye membranes, called conjunctivitis. The membranes of the eyes become red and irritated, and pus occurs as a result of a secondary bacterial infection. In rare cases, ulcers on the corneas of the eyes develop. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications are needed to treat corneal ulcers to prevent scarring and long-term vision damage in cats that develop them.

    Fever

    • Cats with the cat flu may or may not develop a fever. Cats naturally possess a warmer core body temperature than humans, averaging 100.2 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The fact that cats are normally warmer than humans and that normal body temperature can vary between cats makes it tough for the average owner to discern whether a cat is running a fever. Since fever may or may not be present, it is not the only sign or symptom to rely upon when figuring out whether your cat is ill.

    Other Symptoms

    • Cats with cat flu may become depressed and lethargic. Oftentimes cats will lose their appetite. Some cats may refuse to drink water and become moderately to severely dehydrated, worsening their lethargy and depression. Depending upon the virus causing the flu, joint pain may develop, making it painful for your cat to walk. Pain may affect one leg, alternating legs, or both legs. Ulcers on or around the mouth and on the paws may develop. Pregnant cats are at risk of spontaneous abortion.