Cat Flu

Unfortunately Cat Flu is a commonly seen presentation to veterinary clinics, especially this time of the year. Some of the major pathogens that can cause cat flu inclide viral (such as feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus) or bacterial – for example, Chlamydophelia felis or mycoplasma spp. 

Cat Flu is highly infectious, however mortality rates are generally low. Signs of the disease can include sneezing, nasal or ocular discharge, conjunctivitis, excessive salivation, depression, inappetence, dehydration and a high temperature. Oral ulcers are often painful and lead to secondary inappetence and anorexia.

 After infection with feline herpes virus or calicivirus, cats develop lifelong immunity but may shed the virus intermittently. The flu is spread from cat to cat via oral, nasal or ocular secretions. This may be directly or indirectly. Diagnosis is usually based on clinical signs, vaccination history and virus isolation or bacterial culture with lab testing. Unfortunately, as viral causes can be shed intermittently, single tests can be unrewarding and negative results must be interpreted with care. 

Supportive care is the cornerstone of treatment and can include applying ocular lubricants, pain relief, antibiotics, supportive fluid therapy, decongestants, vitamin supplementation and in some cases isolation and hospitalisation with nebulisation therapy. Nutritional support is vital in patients not willing to eat; placement of a feeding tube may be necessary. 

Like all disease, prevention is better than a cure. Having your cat vaccinated annually greatly reduces their risk of contracting cat flu. Initial vaccinations commence at eight weeks of age.