When Do Cats Start Eating Again After Upper Respiratory Infection

Cat flu, or upper respiratory infection (URI) is a very common disease that tin vary considerably in severity, and on occasions can even be life-threatening.

In the vast majority of cases, illness results from infection with feline calicivirus (FCV) or feline canker virus (FHV, or FHV-1). Clinical signs include sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the optics), ocular discharge, loss of appetite, fever and depression. Rima oris ulcers, coughing, excessive drooling of saliva and eye ulcers may also exist seen. Very immature, very quondam and immunosuppressed cats are more than likely to develop astringent disease and peradventure dice as a issue of their URI, usually due to secondary infections (such as pneumonia), lack of nutrition and dehydration.

Typical ocular and nasal discharges of true cat flu

Infection with feline herpes virus can crusade serious eye impairment

What cats are at risk of URIs?

URIs are common, as the causative viruses are widespread in cat populations. Typical take chances factors include:

• Cats kept in large groups or colonies such every bit breeding catteries, rescue centres and feral cat colonies – in these situations the viruses are able to spread hands
• Unvaccinated cats
• Kittens
• Elderly and immunosuppressed cats (e.thousand., cats with FeLV or FIV infection, or cats receiving immunosuppressive therapy) are more vulnerable to developing severe disease

Causes of URIs in cats

Most cat URIs are caused by infection with one or both of the true cat flu viruses:

• Feline herpes virus (FHV or FHV-one, formerly known as feline rhinotracheitis virus)
• Feline calicivirus (FCV)

These ii viruses are idea to be responsible for more 90% of URIs in cats. Other important organisms that may be involved in some cases include:

• Bordetella bronchiseptica (may be a crusade of sneezing, nasal discharge and sometimes coughing – important in some colony situations)
• Chlamydophila felis (this is mainly a cause of ocular affliction – conjunctivitis)

Clinical signs of URI

The incubation period following infection with FCV or FHV is usually just a few days (2-10 days). Afterward this, typical clinical signs develop which include:

• Sneezing
• Nasal belch
• Ocular belch
• Lethargy
• Inappetence
• Fever

The severity of these signs varies considerably – in some cats the signs are very mild and transient, in others they may be very marked and severe. There are some differences in clinical presentation between the two viruses, but these are non sufficient to be able to distinguish them simply from clinical signs:

• FHV infection tends to be more than severe, frequently causing more than marked conjunctivitis (eye infection and ocular discharge), and some ulceration of the cornea (the articulate part at the front end of the center). FHV may also cause: severe pharyngitis leading to anorexia; inflammation in the trachea; and coughing.
• FCV infection is often milder, with inapparent or less severe ocular signs, just FCV oft causes ulceration of the natural language (and sometimes the palate or the lips). FCV may crusade a transient arthritis ('limping syndrome'), unremarkably seen in young kittens, and in very young kittens tin can cause severe viral pneumonia.

Although FCV and FHV are viral infections, secondary infection with bacteria is common and can contribute to rhinitis (infection in the olfactory organ) conjunctivitis, and even lung infections. While most cats will recover from URIs, on occasions they tin can be life-threatening, and with astringent infections the recovery may take several weeks. Some cats may also be left with permanent damage within the olfactory organ and may have persistent or recurrent nasal discharge (so-called 'chronic rhinitis').

In rare cases, a much more astringent and often fatal form of FCV infection may occur. This is associated with particular strains of the virus that are highly virulent and termed 'virulent systemic FCV' (vsFCV) infection. Fortunately such infections are very rare (run into: Feline calicivirus (FCV) infection).

Diagnosis

Diagnosis by your vet is usually based on the typical signs associated with URIs, and exclusion of other causes. It is possible to confirm a diagnosis and to investigate which virus(es) are involved, just this is frequently not necessary.

Testing for FCV or FHV involves collecting a oral fissure or eye swab which is then sent to a specialised veterinarian laboratory. Here the virus can be identified through culturing or by a PCR test (a molecular examination to bear witness the presence of the viral genes).

Treatment

Treatment of URIs is largely symptomatic and supportive. Your vet may want to do some additional tests if they are concerned about the extent of disease (e.g., the possibility of pneumonia) or if they are worried about complications (such as infection with FIV or FeLV).

Antibiotics are indicated to treat secondary bacterial infections and to try to reduce the damage the infection causes. If nasal congestion is astringent and breathing is hard your vet may too suggest steam inhalation or nebulisation brand discharges more liquid and more easily relieved by sneezing.

Affected cats are frequently reluctant to consume – they will have a poor sense of smell and eating may also be uncomfortable. Using soft, highly aromatic foods (for instance kitten foods, fish in oil) that are gently warmed will help to tempt an inappetent cat. Notwithstanding, if anorexia is severe your true cat may require hospitalisation for your vet to provide food via a feeding tube. This tin be important, as poor nutrition will significantly contribute to disease and slow down healing. Intravenous fluids may also exist needed if your cat is non drinking properly, to avoid dehydration. Analgesics may also exist required.

Interferons are proteins that are produced in the trunk, in function to assistance fight viral infections. Injectable interferons may be used as a supportive treatment (either high doses of recombinant human interferons or recombinant feline interferon) – there is some bear witness that this may exist of benefit, merely it probably needs to exist given early on in the class of disease for best result.

There are a number of topical antiviral agents that tin can assist to manage FHV-associated ocular disease (such every bit trifluoridine, idoxuridine and cidofovir). More recently a drug used to care for human herpes virus infections – famciclovir – has been shown to be safety and effective in cats when given orally. This is a major footstep forward in managing severe FHV infection in cats.

General nursing is also essential – discharges from the eyes and nose should be gently wiped away using damp cotton, and the cat should be kept warm and comfortable.

Carriers

Well-nigh cats that recover from infection with URI viruses will become 'carriers'. Carrier cats unremarkably show no sign of illness but, may shed virus in saliva, tears and nasal secretions, and tin can exist a source of infection to other cats.

Although almost all cats infected with FHV will remain long-term carriers, many of these volition never shed significant amounts of virus. Others may shed virus intermittently, especially during times of stress. Some cats may show mild signs of URI again when they shed the virus, but well-nigh exercise not. Carrier cats in a breeding colony are a source of chance to their kittens, every bit the stress of kittening may induce shedding of FHV.

Most cats infected with FCV remain carriers of the virus, and continue to shed the virus for a menstruation of weeks or months after infection, just the majority (although non all) volition eventually eliminate the virus within a few months.

Spread of infection

The viruses associated with URIs are spread in three ways:

• Direct contact with an infected true cat showing signs of URI
• Direct contact with a carrier cat shedding virus
• Contact with virus carried on clothing, food bowls and other objects. Large amounts of virus are present in the saliva, tears and nasal discharges and the viruses may be able to survive in the environs and on objects for up to two (FHV) to 10 (FCV) days.

Prevention

• Vaccination: The risk of URIs tin can be dramatically reduced by vaccination against FHV and FCV.These vaccines are important for all cats, irrespective of how they are kept (even if kept totally indoors), equally the diseases are and so ubiquitous. Although vaccination usually prevents severe disease developing, it cannot always prevent infection occurring and and so mild illness may still develop in some cats. FCV has many different strains, and this can crusade further issues with vaccination equally vaccines will non necessarily piece of work against all these strains. Newer FCV vaccines contain more than than one strain in the vaccine to assist overcome this problem. This is not an issue with FHV as but one virus strain exists.
• Barrier nursing and disinfection: If there is more than than ane cat in a household, it is important to effort to minimise the risk of infection being spread to the other cats. This is not always possible, but in addition to ensuring that all cats are vaccinated, where possible a true cat showing clinical signs should be kept isolated from the other cats (east.g., confined to 1 room). Separate food bowls and litter trays should be used, and ideally the true cat should be kept in a room that has very easy to disinfect surfaces (i.e., not soft furnishing and carpet). These viruses are susceptible to near disinfectants merely brand certain yous check with your vet – some disinfectants (such as phenolic-based products) are not safe to use around cats. Hypochlorite (bleach-based) disinfectants (eg, v% bleach diluted 1:32) are effective against these viruses, just have intendance to use whatsoever disinfectant carefully – most are irritant to cats if they come into direct contact with the disinfectant.

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Source: https://icatcare.org/advice/cat-flu-upper-respiratory-infection/

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