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Feline rhinotracheitis (cat flu)
Feline rhinotracheitis, or infectious feline rhinotracheitis, is an upper respiratory disease caused by herpesvirus. Unvaccinated kittens of 2 to 3 months and those in poor environments are susceptible. Signs include conjunctivitis, eye discharge, sneezing, and runny nose; severe cases drool, are lethargic, anorexic, feverish, or cough. It is highly contagious and cats carry the virus for life, relapsing when immunity drops. Test for respiratory pathogens if suspected.
Runny nose: what to do if a cat has feline rhinotracheitis (cat flu)?
Cat flu is an upper-respiratory infection from the herpes virus with no specific cure and easy relapse; seek prompt veterinary care. Treatment uses interferon, lysine, and antivirals; clean eye discharge and isolate the cat.
How long should a cat be isolated after recovering from feline rhinotracheitis?
Rhinotracheitis can relapse, so isolate a recovered cat from others and avoid shared feeding to prevent spread. Boost lysine and nutrition, and keep it warm against weather changes.
My cat tested negative for feline rhinotracheitis, but the vet says it is a cold; the cat has no other symptoms
There are many reasons a cat may cough, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, viral colds, and feline rhinotracheitis, and coughing can also be caused by food aspiration. Since rhinotracheitis has been ruled out and the vet diagnoses a cold-related cough, prompt symptomatic treatment is needed.
What is the difference between feline rhinotracheitis (cat flu) and a common cold?
A cat cold is a general respiratory infection from various causes, while rhinotracheitis specifically refers to herpesvirus infection. A cold causes cough, runny nose, and sneezing; rhinotracheitis adds conjunctivitis with discharge and eye redness, plus possible mouth ulcers, lethargy, and appetite loss needing vet care.
Can feline rhinotracheitis (cat flu) be fatal?
Feline rhinotracheitis can be fatal; mortality reaches about 50% in low-immunity kittens and 20 to 30% in adults. It is a common infectious disease causing sneezing, runny nose, appetite loss, fever, lethargy, tearing, and eye redness. Untreated, it can cause mouth ulcers, dehydration, blindness, and death. Seek care promptly.
What are the early symptoms of feline rhinotracheitis (cat flu)?
Early signs include frequent sneezing, increased eye discharge, tearing, red conjunctiva, more nasal discharge, reduced appetite, fever, and lethargy. Treat early — advanced cases can be fatal.
What Causes Feline Rhinotracheitis (Cat Flu)?
Feline rhinotracheitis, commonly called cat flu, is one of the most frequent infectious diseases in cats. A cat can look healthy at the breeder yet sneeze, runny nose and weepy eyes days after coming home - because the culprit herpesvirus lies dormant in nerve cells and flares when environment or nutrition changes. Importantly, cat flu is not caused only by herpesvirus; calicivirus, chlamydia, mycoplasma and Bordetella are also agents. This article explains what cat flu is, its varied causes, and how to tell the agents apart by symptoms - always confirm with a vet.
How to Tell If Your Cat Has Feline Rhinotracheitis (Cat Flu)
Cat flu and a common cold look alike, which leaves many owners unsure whether their cat has feline rhinotracheitis — an infection caused by the feline herpesvirus. The reliable approach is twofold: watch the symptoms and confirm with a test. Early signs are subtle — sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, low appetite, no fever — while the active phase brings a high temperature near 40°C, persistent coughing and sneezing, and thick eye and nose discharge. A test strip or a PCR check at the clinic confirms it, but the result must be read alongside the symptoms.
How is feline rhinotracheitis (cat flu) in kittens treated?
Cat flu is dangerous in kittens and can be fatal untreated. Diagnose via symptoms plus PCR. Treat with interferon/antiviral proteins and amoxicillin or doxycycline to prevent bacterial infection; add lysine to curb viral replication and boost immunity; disinfect the environment thoroughly.