Common Cat Viral Diseases: A Comprehensive Overview

Section 1: Feline Herpesvirus Infection (Rhinotracheitis) The Cat's Common Cold

Understanding the Cat's Common Cold

Feline Rhinotracheitis, often referred to as the cat's common cold, is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease in cats. Also known as feline infectious rhinotracheitis, it's caused by the feline rhinotracheitis herpesvirus. Transmission typically occurs via the respiratory and digestive tracts under natural conditions. Symptoms include a lack of appetite, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and eye irritation, along with fever. The most distinctive symptom is conjunctivitis.

Treatment Options

Treatment involves administering feline interferon injections. For cats with eye issues, antiviral eye drops like acyclovir or ribavirin, or common erythromycin ointment, can be used. For cats with upper respiratory symptoms, nebulization therapy may be effective. Since cats with rhinotracheitis often develop secondary bacterial infections, a broadspectrum antibiotic, such as amoxicillin or ceftriaxone, should be used during treatment.

Prevention and Education

Vaccination at the appropriate age can prevent the occurrence of herpesvirus infections. This is a very common disease, even in professional catteries. Treating rhinotracheitis is a skill that many cattery breeders must learn, and it's the foundation for accumulating experience.

Section 2: Feline Calici Virus (FCV) The Cat's Cold

The Cat's Cold and Its Symptoms

Feline Calici Virus infection is a viral respiratory disease in cats, primarily characterized by upper respiratory symptoms such as depression, serous and mucoid nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, stomatitis, tracheitis, and bronchitis, accompanied by biphasic fever. FCV infection is a common disease in cats, with a high incidence and low mortality rate.

Treatment Strategies

1. Fever: If a cat has a fever (body temperature over 40 degrees Celsius), you can purchase flunixin meglumine injection for injection (any brand of veterinary medicine is acceptable) to reduce fever and relieve pain. The dosage should be as per the package instructions.

2. Conjunctivitis: Treatment with ointments, such as erythromycin ointment or gentamicin sulfate ointment, is effective and has a longerlasting effect than eye drops. These can usually be purchased at a regular pharmacy.

3. Stomatitis: Stomatitis can be treated with people's shuanghua powder spray on obvious oral ulcers; there are also many sprays for pet stomatitis on Taobao, which are also effective. For dry cracks in the palate, some ointment can be applied.

4. Comprehensive Antiviral Treatment: For viral infections, antiviral drugs are the main treatment. Cats can be given ribavirin or acyclovir orally. In addition to antiviral drugs, it is recommended to also feed antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections, such as amoxicillinclavulanate potassium, or azithromycin if the condition is severe.

Prevention through Vaccination

Vaccination at the appropriate age can prevent the occurrence of calici virus infections.

Section 3: Feline Corona Virus (FCV) The Culprit Behind Feline Pancreatitis

The Feline Corona Virus and Pancreatitis

Feline Corona Virus is a virus that can cause feline infectious peritonitis. Not all cats that contract the feline corona virus will develop feline infectious peritonitis. Cats that come into contact with the feline corona virus often show no symptoms. Once infected, they will carry the virus for life and transmit it to other cats through saliva or feces. Like other feline viruses, there is no cure or treatment for feline corona virus. There is also no vaccine. Common feline corona virus usually only causes gastrointestinal disease in cats, but if the virus mutates and invades other organs, it can lead to the development of feline infectious peritonitis.

Section 4: Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) A Lethal Consequence of the Corona Virus

The Lethal Consequence of the Corona Virus

Feline Infectious Peritonitis is caused by a mutation of the corona virus. Up to 5% to 10% of corona virusinfected cats will develop feline infectious peritonitis. This virus can appear a few weeks or years after the corona virus appears and is almost always fatal. There are now 441 FIP drugs available for targeted treatment, with a reported cure rate of over 95%.

Section 5: Feline Panleukopenia (FPV) The Cat's Distemper

The Cat's Distemper and Its Transmission

Feline Panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is a viral disease characterized by fever, depression, anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea. Historically, feline panleukopenia was caused by the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV); however, it has now been confirmed that it may also be caused by canine parvovirus CPV2a and CPV2b. In unvaccinated cats, especially in wild populations and wild birds, outbreaks occasionally occur. Clinical symptoms are similar to those of canine parvovirus enteritis.