Cat Rhinotracheitis vs. Cold: Is It Contagious & Key Di

Can Cat Rhinitis Be Transmitted Among Cats?

Cat rhinitis, a common infectious disease, is caused by the feline herpesvirus. The primary symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, and eye discharge. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia and even death. The virus is spread through the secretions of infected cats, such as saliva, nasal discharge, and respiratory droplets. Once a cat is infected, the virus replicates in the neurons, conjunctiva, and epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract. Even with proper treatment, cats infected with rhinitis can carry the virus for life and transmit it to other cats. They may also experience a recurrence when their immune system is weakened.

Difference Between Cat Rhinitis and Cat Cold

The main differences between cat rhinitis and the common cold are as follows:

1. In terms of causation, cat rhinitis is an upper respiratory infection caused by the feline rhinotracheitis herpesvirus, a viral rhinitis in cats, primarily affecting young cats with high morbidity and mortality. The common cold is a respiratory disease caused by catching a cold, viral infection, or respiratory irritation.

2. After infection with cat rhinitis, symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, purulent discharge, red and swollen conjunctiva, excessive eye boogers, coughing, sneezing, and runny nose may occur. The main symptoms of a cat cold are runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion, which can severely affect a cat's sense of smell and appetite.

3. The treatment for cat rhinitis is lengthy, with an average treatment duration of about three weeks. In contrast, a cat cold usually recovers quickly. Regardless of the severity, it's important to keep the cat warm and consider medication or injections for about a week to achieve a full recovery. Moreover, a cat cold is not contagious after recovery.

Understanding whether cat rhinitis can be transmitted among cats and the differences between cat rhinitis and the common cold can be helpful for cat owners. Although the symptoms of cat rhinitis may be similar to those of a cold, it's important to note that cold remedies for cats are not effective against rhinitis. If your cat is diagnosed with rhinitis, it's crucial to seek veterinary care promptly.