Cat flu (or feline viral infectious respiratory disease) is very common in cats and causes symptoms that are similar to that of the human cold. While some cases can be mild, others can be life-threatening, particularly in kittens, so it’s important for all owners to be aware of the condition. Show Kittens and cats with underlying health issues are most at risk of developing severe complications, including lasting eye damage and even total sight loss. In some rare cases, it can be fatal. The causes of cat fluMost cat flu cases are caused by feline herpesvirus or feline calicivirus. These viruses are highly contagious and usually spread between cats through direct contact, sneeze droplets, and shared food bowls. Virus particles can survive for up to a week in the environment, so your cat may not need to encounter an infected cat to catch the disease. What are the symptoms of cat flu?Symptoms of cat flu tend to appear after two to 10 days, and can include:
Symptoms vary considerably, from very mild to increasingly severe. If you spot any of the above, speak to your vet straight away. Treating cat fluJust like human colds, there isn’t a cure for cat flu. Antibiotics can’t treat the viruses that cause it, but they can help if there’s a secondary bacterial infection caused by damage to the lining of the nose and airways; if left untreated this can cause complications, such as pneumonia.  Your cat will need extra special care at home to help them get better. A blocked nose and mouth ulcers can make it difficult to eat and drink which can lead to dangerous levels of dehydration. Wet, strong-smelling foods will be more appetising for cats with a blocked nose and sore throat and will also help boost their water intake. Encourage your cat to drink as much as possible, as fluids can help loosen thick mucus; intravenous fluids may be required if they’re still reluctant to drink. Regularly wipe away any discharge from the eyes or nose with damp cotton wool and keep them warm and comfortable throughout their illness. Preventing cat fluVaccinations protect against some of the viruses that can cause cat flu. However, vaccines don’t cover every single cause of cat flu, so regularly disinfecting their bedding, litter tray and toys, particularly if you have more than one cat, is still recommended. Disinfecting your cat's litter tray
Cat flu is a common illness affecting the upper respiratory tract in cats, much like a cold or the flu in humans. It is mainly caused by one of two viruses; feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus. Once the cat is unwell, bacterial infections can also become involved and often make the illness worse. Cats most likely to be worse affected are the very young, very old or those with a damaged immune system, as they find it more difficult to fight off infections. For these cats, catching flu can be life threatening. It is spread much like a cold, through your cat coughing and sneezing then other cats picking up the germs. Once cats have recovered from cat flu, it’s possible for some cats to continue to harbour the infection and come down with cat flu again, particularly during times of stress or other illness.
The signs of cat flu are very similar to a cold or flu in humans. You should look out for:
If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat you should contact your vet.
While there’s no cure for cat flu, the symptoms can be treated a number of ways:
Your vet may not prescribe any medication if your cat only has a mild case, but there are ways you can help your cat with their symptoms at home. These include:
The easiest way to stop your cat from getting severe cat flu is by getting them vaccinated. This won’t prevent them from catching cat flu, but it will help to prevent them from getting severe symptoms and greatly reduces the chance of them needing extra treatment and hospitalisation. You can read more on vaccinating your cat in our guide.
Kittens are more vulnerable to cat flu as they have immature immune systems. If their mum has been vaccinated, kittens will get some immunity from cat flu when they are born. This does fade though, so you’ll need to make sure your kitten is given their first course of vaccinations at around eight to nine weeks old. If their mum has not been vaccinated, kittens are more at risk of getting seriously ill from cat flu. They can also catch it from their mum if she falls ill with cat flu while pregnant. Kittens with cat flu can develop severe symptoms, such as pneumonia and eye ulcers.
Although the symptoms might be similar, humans cannot catch cat flu. Likewise, cats cannot catch human flu. Dogs also cannot catch cat flu. Cat flu is highly contagious between our feline friends though. If you have more than one cat it’s really important to keep them all vaccinated and if one of your cats gets cat flu, make sure you wash the bedding and bowls they use thoroughly.
Common cat illnesses Finding a vet
Reviewed by Amy Flowers, DVM on December 26, 2021 If you notice that your feline friend is feeling under the weather, it’s possible that they may have cat flu. This is a common illness that affects both adult cats and kittens alike. Can Cats Get the Flu? Cats can get infected with influenza viruses just like humans can. Experts think that cat flu spreads in the same way that flu viruses spread in humans. One way is through direct contact with other cats, like when they play or snuggle together. Another way could be through droplets in the air. These droplets come from sneezing or coughing and have some kind of discharge. Cats can also get the flu by coming into contact with something that has been contaminated with a virus, like shared cages or food bowls. Research suggests that humans might be able to pass viruses to cats during flu season, but so far there’s not enough evidence to say that it works the other way around, too. Cat flu is a term used to describe an upper respiratory infection (URI) that is normally caused by one of two viruses: feline calicivirus (FCV) or feline herpes virus (FHV or FHV-1). It is not caused by an influenza virus. Once a cat has been infected with these viruses that cause cat flu, it’s possible that they will carry the virus for the rest of their life. Even with treatment, your cat may still continue to have lifelong symptoms. The symptoms of cat flu are actually quite similar to symptoms that humans experience when they have the flu. The most common symptoms include:
Once your cat has been infected with the flu virus, it can take up to two weeks for symptoms to appear. Kittens are also likely to develop eye ulcers, which can potentially cause eye damage if left untreated. Both kittens and senior cats have weaker immune systems than healthy adult cats do. This can cause them to have more serious symptoms or to even develop a secondary condition that is caused by the cat flu. For example, your cat could develop pneumonia, a secondary respiratory infection, dehydration, or lack of nutrition. If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, you should contact your vet. To diagnose your cat, your doctor will give them an exam to check their symptoms and rule out anything else that might be causing their condition. Sometimes, vets may order a nose or eye swab test to confirm the presence of the FCV or FHV virus. The swabs are then sent to a lab where the virus can be identified through culture or PCR tests. Medications. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics to fight off the infection, or anti-inflammatories to help lower the fever. If your cat is having trouble breathing due to a runny nose, mucolytics (medicines that break up mucus) can help clear their airways and remove mucus. Eye drops can help heal irritated, sore eyes. At home. At-home care is really important when it comes to treating cat flu. Your cat’s symptoms may cause them not to want to eat or to make their normal food hard to eat. Entice them by giving them small fish, like sardines, or roast chicken in small pieces. Your vet may also prescribe special food to help ensure your cat is properly nourished. Help your cat out by gently wiping away discharge from the eyes and nose when you see it. You can use saltwater on a damp cloth to wipe away the discharge. Steam helps to break apart mucus, so let your cat come in the bathroom with you while you shower or take a bath. The best way to protect your cat from cat flu is by getting them vaccinated against the viruses that cause cat flu. Your cat will need two flu vaccines followed by booster shots throughout their life. While vaccination may not be able to stop your cat from ever getting the flu, it can help them from developing serious symptoms. If you have multiple cats and one of them is ill, keep the infected one isolated as much as possible to help stop the spread of the virus. Make sure that shared items, like bowls and litter boxes, are disinfected after use to kill off any remaining bacteria. |
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