feline rhinotracheitis is a highly contagious viral disease, so its spread is facilitated in cats that live in communities such as the colonies of the street, the protectors or the hatcheries. It is a very common disease that we will surely come across if at some point we are caring for a cat, especially if it is only a few months old.
In this article on our site we will talk about feline rhinotracheitis, the symptoms it produces as well as the most appropriate treatment. Everything you need to know below:
What is feline rhinotracheitis?
rhinotracheitis is a viral disease that can be caused by herpesviruses, caliciviruses or both and affects the upper respiratory tract. It is a specific pathology of cats, highly contagious among them through secretions, but it will not affect other animals or humans.
Therefore, we must implement measures to prevent its spread, changing our clothes if we come into contact with a suspicious cat or isolating the sick cat in home if we have more than one.
Occurs much more often in kittens a few months old or in adults who have some other condition that causes their system immune system is weakened. The best prevention is to follow the feline vaccination schedule since, although it is a curable disease, it can cause serious damage and even death
Feline rhinotracheitis symptoms
This disease causes coughing, sneezing and difficulty swallowing water and food. It is also accompanied by a runny nose, which affects breathing but also the cat's sense of smell, which makes it even less attracted to food. The secretion can also be ocular and it is common for the picture to be complicated by the appearance of secondary bacterial infections
If caliciviruses are involved in the process, it is normal for wounds to appear in the mouth The pain they produce also affects the ability to eat of the cat, which, in addition, frequently presents fever and lethargy. All this picture leads to dehydration that, if not treated, can end with the death of the cat.
On the other hand, untreated feline conjunctivitis can perforate the cornea and ultimately lead to removal of the affected eye. It is important, therefore, that we go to our veterinarian if we observe any of these symptoms.
The treatment of feline rhinotracheitis
This disease is usually diagnosed by observing the clinical picture it causes. The therapeutic options will depend on the severity of the condition. They are usually based on hydrating the cat, encouraging him to eat and administering antibiotics, generally broad-spectrum, to combat bacterial infections.
You can also add analgesia if the cat is in severe pain or some other drug for specific symptoms. Hydration in the most serious cases will have to be intravenous, which will mean that the cat is admitted to the clinic. It is very important that he eats, so it is recommended to offer him wet food or something that he especially likes. If we heat the food a little we help its smell to reach it better, encouraging it to eat.
It is very important that we comply with the treatment until the end, even if we see that there is improvement before. Eye treatment is also essential, which usually consists of an antibiotic eye drop applied several times a day.
Feline Rhinotracheitis Considerations
To end this article, we will offer you some tips:
- Since it is a highly contagious disease, we must Extreme hygiene measures.
- Even if our cat does not go outside we could introduce the virus into the home, so it is recommended to vaccinate him.
- It affects more vulnerable cats such as young, elderly, immunodeficient or those already suffering from some other disease.
- The secretions can become very thick, forming crusts as they dry around the nose and eyes. We must clean them frequently with a wet gauze or cotton ball.
- That the cat eats and drinks is very important, so we must facilitate the task, especially in those with mouth ulcers.
- Although it can be cured, if left untreated or the animal is severely weakened it can death.
- The virus remains in the cat's body, becoming lifetime carrier with the possibility of continuing to eliminate the virus, and the disease it can manifest again at any time.
- At the first symptom we must seek veterinary assistance to prevent the picture from getting complicated.
- eye damage can be very serious, even causing injuries so severe that they require removal.
- Cats that recover may have sequelae.
- Keeping the cat in good condition, well fed and without stress favors its immune system and, therefore, resistance to this and other diseases.
