Cat Flu Flashcards
Which animals are obligate nasal breathers and why is this important?
Cats
Rodents
Horses
If these animals are mouth breathing it is an emergency!
Which pathogens contribute to ‘cat flu’
Feline herpesvirus*
Feline calicivirus (fomite spread)
Chlamydia felis*
Bordetella
Mycoplasma felis
*most common
Feline herpesvirus clinical signs
Damage to nasal turbinates - kittens become chronic ‘snufflers’
Ocular ulcers
Herpetic dermatitis (nose/paw ulcerations)
Shedding may occur even if clinical signs not present (carriers)
What is Feline herpesvirus
FHV-1
Enveloped DNA virus
Part of core vaccine schedule (live attenuated)
Causes of chronic rhinitis (Snuffles)
Previous exposure to herpesvirus as a kitten
Is a sequel to ‘cat flu’
What clinical signs would you expect from an animal with an upper respiratory dyspnoea?
Coughing/sneezing
Nasal discharge/moisture
Moist/irritated eyes
Swollen eyes
Ulcers in mouth
What is Feline Calicivirus (FCV)?
Rapidly evolving RNA virus
Very hardy
Shed by >80% of cats
Part of core vaccine schedule
Can cause LRT disease
Clinical signs of FCV
‘flu’ signs
Oral ulcers - drooling/innapetance
Causes floppy kittens (synovitis)
50% mortality
What is FCGS – Feline Chronic Gingivitis Stomatitis?
inflammation of gas and mouth
Associated with FCV (and FIV)
Feline Chronic Gingivitis Stomatitis treatment?
Dental/extractions
Antibacterials
Corticosteroids
What is Chlamydia (Chlamydophila) felis
Intracellular bacterium
Causes conjunctivitis
(very red and swollen)
Treat with tetracycline
Treat all in contact animals
Initially unilateral but spreads
How to diagnose cat flu
Only need to if it changes management
Oral/occuar swabs
Virus isolation or PCR
(only 49% sensitive so false negative likely)
Treatment options for ‘cat flu’
- Supportive
○ Nutrition - nasogastric/oesophageal tube
○ Fluid therapy
○ Supplements - Symptomatic
○ NSAIDs - careful if not eating/drinking
○ Eye drops to moisturise
○ Mirtazapine - appetite stimulation
○ Nebulisation - Specific
○ Antibiotics - doxycycline
○ Antivirals - famciclovir(oral), cidofovir (eye drop) - Prevention
○ Hygiene
○ Barriers
○ Ventilation
Disinfectants - FHV very labile
FCV more resistant - quaternary ammonium compounds not effective
Core feline vaccines
Feline herpesvirus
Feline calicivirus
Feline panleukopenia virus (Parvovirus)
Non-Core feline vaccines
Chlamydia / Chlamydophila felis
Bordetella bronchiseptica
Feline Leukaemia Virus
Rabies Virus
