Yes, there are differences. Distinguishing Feline Cold

What Are the Symptoms of Feline Rhinotracheitis?

Feline Rhinotracheitis is an acute infectious disease that affects a cat's upper respiratory tract, also known as infectious rhinitis. The clinical symptoms typically include a marked increase in body temperature during the initial stages, respiratory infections, spasmodic coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, conjunctivitis, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, and nasal discharge. Initially, the discharge is serous, but it may later become purulent and thick, resembling yellow mucus.

Puppies and cats that haven't been fully vaccinated are more susceptible to feline rhinotracheitis, and the mortality rate can be quite high in puppies that contract the disease.

How to Distinguish Between Feline Cold and Rhinotracheitis in Puppies

Some people categorize feline rhinotracheitis as a type of cat viral cold or a subsequent condition, as it shares similar symptoms with a common cold. However, feline rhinotracheitis can lead to symptoms like a fever, red and swollen eyes, and conjunctivitis. While a cat may catch a cold due to exhaustion or catching a chill, the main symptoms are sneezing and runny nose, with the discharge usually being clear. Unlike feline rhinotracheitis, the discharge in a common cold is not thick. Moreover, a typical cold is not contagious after recovery. Feline rhinotracheitis, on the other hand, is usually transmitted from other cats or when a cat carrying the virus sheds spores and the cat's immune system is weakened. The virus is highly contagious and cannot be cured completely.

How to Treat Feline Cold and Rhinotracheitis in Puppies

Treatment for a feline cold focuses on reducing fever and providing warmth. If a cat shows signs of a cold, it's important to ensure the cat is wellprotected from the cold. Avoid keeping the cat in air conditioning for extended periods during summer, and be mindful of temperature changes in spring and autumn. You can give the cat specialized cold medicine for cats, and feeding lysine can help strengthen and prevent diseases, as well as boost the cat's immune system.

However, treating feline rhinotracheitis is more complex. If a cat is sneezing and has a runny nose, it should be taken to a veterinarian for professional diagnosis and antibiotic treatment immediately. In case of severe fever, it's crucial to prevent dehydration, administer antipyretics, and feed lysine to shorten the duration of the viral infection and help the cat fight the virus more effectively.

Why Do Cats Need Lysine Supplements?

Cat herpesvirus replication is highly dependent on the presence of arginine, and without it, the virus cannot replicate. Lysine has a similar structure to arginine, and when there is an abundance of lysine, it can take the place of arginine. By providing a sufficient amount of lysine, the virus can become saturated and no longer absorb arginine, thereby preventing replication.

Understanding how to differentiate between feline cold and rhinotracheitis is crucial for cat owners. Regardless of how you define feline rhinotracheitis and the common cold, timely treatment is essential. If your cat shows signs of a cold, it's important to take them to a veterinary clinic for a checkup and isolate them from other healthy cats.