Fortunately, she only had conjunctivitis in one eye, no nasal discharge, and very mild sneezing. In some cats (like Piper), they can be very mild and don’t last for long, but in other cases they can be quite severe and last for weeks.īelow is a photo of Piper during the worst part of her illness. Severity of these signs can vary considerably. Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyes, causing discharge and/or squinting).Nasal discharge (either clear and thin, or thick and colored brown, green, or yellow).Once a cat becomes infected with one of these microorganisms, symptoms generally show up within 2-10 days. Viral shedding can be triggered by any stressor, including moving to a new home, injury or illness, or the addition of a new family member (baby, dog, or another cat) to the household. Carrier cats harbor the virus in their bodies, and can “shed” the virus (release it back into the environment) even if they are not showing any signs of illness. Exposure to cats who are carriers and are actively shedding the virus.Indirect exposure from viruses hitching a ride on toys, food and water bowls, bedding, grooming tools, litter boxes, and human hands and clothing.Exposure can occur through sneezing and coughing, mutual grooming, napping together in close quarters, even hissing or spitting. Direct exposure to the saliva, secretions from the nose or eyes, and possibly the urine and feces of an infected cat.There are several ways cats can become infected with upper respiratory viruses: How Are Upper Respiratory Infections Spread? Other organisms that can cause upper respiratory infections in cats include the parasitic bacteria mycoplasma, chlamydia, and bordetella.įortunately, these organisms are only contagious to other cats – they can’t be spread to humans or to other pets in the household. In most cases, calicivirus eventually leaves the body, but some cats can remain carriers for life. Cats with calicivirus can remain contagious for months after recovery. This is a tough little virus that’s difficult to kill. 1Ĭalicivirus causes the usual respiratory symptoms, but in addition can cause extremely painful, ulcerating sores on the gums, tongue, lips, and nose. Feline calicivirus (FCV) Cats with calicivirus can develop painful mouth ulcers that make it very difficult for them to eat. It is so common that some researchers believe approximately one-third of all cats are carriers of this virus. Like all herpes viruses, FHV stays in the body long after the cat has recovered, and can reappear months or years later. The vast majority (over 90%) of URIs are the handiwork of 2 viruses: Feline herpes virus (FHV)įormerly known as “Feline viral rhinotracheitis”, FHV causes typical flu-like respiratory symptoms. Upper respiratory infections, or URIs, can be caused by several different organisms (sometimes more than one at the same time), which is what makes them so tricky to diagnose. What Causes Upper Respiratory Infections In Cats? However, in young kittens, unvaccinated cats, or those with a compromised immune system, they can have serious and long-lasting consequences. These illnesses are often referred to as “kitty colds” or “cat flu”, which tends to give the impression that, like human colds, they really aren’t all that serious. Once cats are exposed, the illness can lie dormant in their bodies until a stressful event triggers it to let loose. This is why they are so common in animal shelters, cat breeding facilities, and feral cat colonies. Upper respiratory infections in cats are highly contagious, and are found most often in environments where 1) there are large numbers of cats together in close proximity, and 2) the environment is stressful. However, like many kittens who spend time in a shelter environment, she also came with an additional bonus – a brewing upper respiratory infection. Rescued from a kill shelter by a local rescue group, Piper came into my life with impeccable manners, a loving disposition, and an impossibly loud purr that, much to my delight, she uses often. Last month I had the incredible good fortune to meet, fall in love with, and ultimately adopt a sweet, tiny, smart-as-a-whip calico kitten who now goes by the name of Piper (more about her in a future post). only shares products that we strongly believe in and feel would be beneficial for our readers. Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)ĭisclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and if you click on them and purchase a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window).Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window).Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window).Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window).Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window).Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window).
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