Feline Herpes Virus-1, also known as FHV or feline rhinotracheitis, is a common but minor ailment affecting the respiratory tracts of cats and kittens. Similar to a cold virus in humans, symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, matted eyes due to increased mucus, lethargy and anorexia (refusal to eat or disinterest in eating). FHV can cause complications in pregnant cats, such as ill kittens or abortion. Most cats pull through FHV without medical intervention, but kittens or cats with additional infections may be especially at risk for complications. FHV vaccinations can lessen the severity of the virus or prevent cats from catching it altogether.
Things You'll Need
- Cat food and water
- Soft, damp cloth or Paper towels
- Humidifier (optional)
- A designated space for your cat to rest and recover
Instructions
Like a sick human, your cat needs rest. Take care to eliminate or prevent anything that may stress her, such as running the vacuum or allowing strangers to play with her.
Isolate your cat. If your cat is an outdoor cat or an indoor/outdoor cat, consider keeping her inside during the course of her illness. This removes her from outside stress, lets you monitor the illness and prevents her from spreading the virus to other animals or catching secondary infections. Likewise, if you have other cats or pets in the house, keep your sick cat in a separate room or area. Not only does this reduce the chance that other pets will catch FHV, but it also allows your cat privacy to heal.
Make sure your cat eats and drinks enough. Your cat's stuffed-up nose will prevent her from smelling and reduce her sense of taste, which may make her disinterested in food. Encourage her to eat by offering favorite, nourishing foods, such as wet cat food, tuna or salmon. Hand feed her if she seems disinterested in her food dish. If you aren't able to get her to eat without force-feeding her, talk to your vet about getting her a temporary feeding tube. In especially severe cases, cats may need to receive nourishment intravenously.
Keep your cat's eyes and nose as free of discharge as possible. You can do this by gently wiping the mucus away with a soft, damp cloth or paper towel. Do not use harsh soaps, as these can further irritate your cat's mucous membranes.
Place a humidifier in the room with your cat or put her in the bathroom while a hot shower is running. The steam will help break up mucous.
You can use medicines to treat FHV, including antibiotics for secondary infections, eye ointments, and decongestants. Do not administer medicines to your cat without consulting your vet first.