Sneezing disease in cats

Cat Flu and How to Prevent It

Cat Flu

In animal shelters, stray cats often come in with “cold-like” symptoms. These are usually caused by cat flu. Cat flu is highly contagious, so these cats need immediate treatment and special care in a shelter environment. They are isolated in a so-called “flu room.”

Causes

The most common causes of cat flu are two viruses: the feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. Fortunately, cats are routinely vaccinated against these two viruses. Additionally, bacteria such as Chlamydophila spp. and Bordetella bronchiseptica can worsen the symptoms.

Symptoms

The symptoms vary widely from cat to cat. Particularly young kittens and older cats can become severely ill and even die from cat flu. Adult cats in good condition, on the other hand, may be asymptomatic carriers or may experience mild symptoms such as sneezing (sometimes with green nasal discharge) and eye discharge. Other symptoms of acute cat flu include: red and inflamed eyes, coughing, lethargy, anorexia (eating less or not eating), fever, drooling (often due to sores on the tongue from calicivirus infection), shortness of breath, and lameness (due to painful joints from calicivirus infection). Cat flu can lead to pneumonia, especially in kittens. Kittens with cat flu may stop eating and drinking, which can quickly lead to dehydration. Dehydration is life-threatening.

Chronic Cat Flu

In some cases, recovery from cat flu can take weeks. In these cases, the cat may develop nasal deformities, which cause mucus to remain in the nose. This makes the cats prone to recurring bacterial infections in the upper respiratory tract. These cats are often “cold” and are referred to as chronic flu patients.

Eyes

Infections with the feline herpesvirus and associated bacterial inflammations can lead to chronic conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye membranes) and corneal inflammation. The younger the kittens, the more severe the symptoms. The damage to the mucous membranes in very young kittens can be so severe that deformities develop.

As a result, the eyelids can become stuck together and to the eye itself. These deformities are sometimes irreversible.

A few years ago, in the shelter, we had a kitten that suffered so much from its eye that we chose to have the eye removed (enucleation).

Treatment

The treatment primarily focuses on supporting the cat. Often, antibiotics need to be administered to fight secondary infections and prevent pneumonia. Anti-inflammatories/pain relievers are also sometimes necessary, especially in cases of fever. Nasal drops can also help to make the mucus less thick. The most important thing is to ensure proper hydration, possibly through intravenous fluids, and to assist with eating by offering treats. If the cat is not eating or eating too little, it is crucial to force-feed the cat a few times a day. This is done slowly and carefully with a syringe, administering the food through the side of the mouth.