My brother was shocked when I mentioned to him that pets could get STIs like humans, and that is the reason why we cannot have our dear pets sleeping around with just any other pet (lol), but writing this now, makes me think about stray pets who roam the street freely, a lot of them must be moving around with STI's. While it is just a thought, I guess so many of them will die without anyone finding out what actually happened to them.
I wish to write on an infection that basically affects cat today and I hope you enjoy reading, and even more importantly learn of a new thing or two. Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) also referred to as, herpesvirus infection. The virus only affects domestic and wild cats, and it is not a respecter of age.
This infection is the major cause of upper respiratory disease that cats experience, it is also the most common cause of conjunctivitis. Cat herpes is accompanied by several symptoms, most of the symptoms can last for about 2-3 weeks but the virua may remain dormant in the cat's body for several years. Even if the dormant form of the virus does not come with any issues sometimes, the re-occurrence of infection is a strong possibility over and over.
I have mentioned before that this infection is the major leading cause of upper respiratory infections, they can cause; sneezing, pink eye, drolling, discharge of the eye, sneezing, exhaustion, fever, cough, pain or irritation from the throat. The infection can also cause keratitis, which is uncommon, but a long time episode of the infection can cause an inflammation of the corneas of a cat.
This infection can also cause inflammation and ulcer's around the nose and mouth of a cat, and sometimes around other areas like the front legs.
Cats can easily pick up this infection through different routes; through direct contact, breathing in sneeze droplets from an infected cat, living in a contaminated environment, sharing litter boxes or food bowls with an infected cat, and there is also a possibility of mother to kitten transmission during the first few weeks of kitten's existence. The level of the herpes virus is drastic, it can move fast. If the virus is not treated on time, the bones associated with the nose and mouth can get infiltrated causing long-term physical damage to them.
Treating this infection depends on how severe it is, the age, the vaccine status of the pet, and other existing underlying health conditions. There are currently no specific medications for the treatment of herpes in a cat, but in severe cases, human antiviral medications can help out. When the pet has symptoms that affect the eye, topical eye medications are usually recommended. Supportive care is often the basic foundation for the treatment of pets that are affected by feline herpes virus, the goal of the treatment is to decrease serious symptoms like physical damage done to the nose and eye, and pneumonia.
The supportive care I am talking about includes fluid for hydration, and routinely cleaning the nostrils and eyes. In extreme situations, the pet may need to be hospitalized before supportive care is continued at home.
Like I always say over here, prevention is better than running around for treatment and it can be achieved by isolating a cat that already shows signs of upper respiratory disease. When cats are kept together in the same space, the space should be big enough to make them eat and drink differently.
Vaccination is also important to help decrease the possibility of herpes infection in a cat. Beginning from the age of 6-9 weeks, cats can get their first combination of vaccines. Booster vaccines are needed every 3-4 weeks until they become 16 weeks old, if the booster vaccine is not administered within the appropriate time range, it means the cat will not be properly protected and they stand a high chance of developing symptoms upon any slight exposure.
There is a type of herpes virus that affects humans, and it is not the same as the one affecting cats. Since there is no cure for the virus, early discovery through an appropriate routine check will make a lot of difference.