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Feline Herpesvirus Infection in Cats
What is Feline Herpesvirus Infection?
Feline herpesvirus, FHV, is found around the world in both domesticated and wild cats. Cats of all ages can become infected with the virus though it poses the greatest risk for young kittens and for pregnant cats. Persistent feline viral rhinotracheitis has been found to be a risk factor in the development of ocular problems.
Feline herpesvirus is a highly contagious virus that causes feline viral rhinotracheitis. Feline viral rhinotracheitis is an acute upper respiratory infection that is one of the most common infections in cats. Feline herpesvirus is also associated with several less common diseases, which include keratitis and feline herpesvirus-associated dermatitis. After recovery, feline herpesvirus typically becomes latent, though it stays with the cat for the remainder of his or her life. The virus may become reactivated due to stress or corticosteroid treatment, allowing it to be passed on to other cats.
Feline Herpesvirus Infection Average Cost
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Average Cost
$300
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Symptoms of Feline Herpesvirus Infection in Cats
Symptoms are typically strong during the initial infection and may recur in a lessened form if the latent virus becomes reactivated.
- Discharge from the nose or eyes
- Sudden sneezing "attacks"
- Conjunctivitis or “pinkeye”
- Keratitis (inflammation in the cornea)
- Watery eyes
- Pain in eyes
- Blurred vision
- Lesions around and in eye
- Eye ulcers
- Squinting
- Eye spasms that may result in the eye remaining closed
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Drooling
- Depression
- Loss of pregnancy
- Skin inflammation
Causes of Feline Herpesvirus Infection in Cats
Feline viral rhinotracheitis is caused by the transmission of the feline herpesvirus between cats. This most often occurs by:
- Contact with discharge from an infected cat's eyes, nose or mouth
- Living in a multi-cat household
- Sharing litter boxes
- Inhalation of sneeze droplets
- Sharing food bowls
- Contaminated bedding and grooming tools
- Poor nutrition
- Psychological or physical stress
- Poor ventilation
- Having a weakened immune system
Diagnosis of Feline Herpesvirus Infection in Cats
The veterinarian will need the cat's complete health history, a list of the symptoms, and an approximate date when symptoms first began. The veterinarian will examine the cat, which will include taking its temperature, looking for signs of nasal and eye discharge and examining the cat's eyes for signs of conjunctivitis.
Lab tests, such as a urinalysis, a complete blood count and a biochemistry profile, will be done. These tests may indicate a low white blood cell count, which is temporary. The veterinarian may take a sample of the discharge from the nose or eyes. This sample will be sent to an outside lab where it will grow in a culture. The infection can also be diagnosed with a corneal scraping or a biopsy. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test may also be performed on the sample. This advanced test looks for genetic material found in the virus. An x-ray may be performed to look for changes in the nasal cavity as a result of a chronic infection.
Treatment of Feline Herpesvirus Infection in Cats
Medications
Oral antibiotics and antiviral medications may be prescribed in order to alleviate symptoms and prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections. Ophthalmic antibiotic or antiviral drops or creams may also be prescribed for conjunctivitis or other eye infections that resulted from the feline herpesvirus. If the cat is severely congested, mucolytic drugs may be prescribed to help break down the mucus and aid in breathing.
Fluid Therapy
Cats who are severely dehydrated due to refusing to eat or drink may need to be hospitalized in order to receive intravenous fluid therapy and nutritional support. During the hospital stay, labs will be done in order to ensure that the organs are reacting properly to the fluids.
Nebulisation
Cats who are having breathing difficulties may receive nebulisation with saline. A mask will be placed over the cat's mouth and nose while a machine called a nebulizer produces a saline mist. The cat will inhale the mist, helping to clear the nasal passages.
At-Home Care
The cat will need tender care at home. Foods may need to be blended and presented warm in order to entice the cat to eat. Frequent fluids will need to be offered in order to prevent dehydration from occurring.
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Recovery of Feline Herpesvirus Infection in Cats
As both physical and psychological stress can cause a dormant virus to become reactivated, it's important to remove stressors from the cat's environment, such as young children and other animals. While the cat is recovering, the cat should be isolated from other household cats in order to prevent feline herpesvirus from being spread. Proper nutrition will help the cat to recover from the infection faster. Refusal to eat or drink will require a prompt return to the veterinarian to prevent the condition from becoming fatal. Young kittens in the home can receive a vaccination to prevent the virus. This vaccine is typically given at nine and 12 weeks of age, with yearly boosters being administered to cats who are at-risk.
Feline Herpesvirus Infection Average Cost
From 324 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$300
Top
Feline Herpesvirus Infection Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Kitten
Ginger
6 Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Very Bad Cold
I found a kitten at a city park, covered in mud & very lethargic. I actually didn’t think she was alive, but she is & she has a home now. She has a terrible cold w/ a lot of congestion. Her nasal secretions are slightly green; her eyes get caked up; and she seems to be trying to swallow post nasal drip frequently. More worrisome to me is that she barely eats. We’ve tried everything we can find, including the high calorie paste stuff, but she’s not going for it. Same with kitten formula, though I suspect she’s at least 6 weeks old. She’s nothing but skin & bone. She also has a terrible mouth odor. More than kitty breath, it smells like she’s eating from the litter box but I know she’s not.
The local vet is $250 just to walk in & there’s a 4 week wait for the humane society clinic. What do you recommend?
July 12, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
I think that Ginger does need to be seen by a veterinarian, as she has overcome fairly grim circumstances. She may need to be dewormed, she might need antibiotics, and she may need supportive care to help her become healthy again. If she is congested, she probably can't smell, and probably won't eat until that is resolved. I hope that everything goes well for her.
July 13, 2018
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Mix
salt
1 Month
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Infected Eye
Boogers
Third Eyelid P
Sneeze Attacks
i dont have a vet appointment till wednesday and im worried what do i do to help her in the meantime? she has yellow discharge from her eye and her third eyelid is popping through nd its red & she has sneeze attacks where she sneezed 3-7 times.
May 28, 2018
2 Recommendations
You should try to remove the discharge from the eye with a warm damp cloth and flush the eye out with sterile saline if you have some; an ophthalmic antibiotic ointment may be used as well, but you should visit your Veterinarian on Wednesday for a thorough examination and systemic treatment. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 29, 2018
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Feline Herpesvirus Infection Average Cost
From 324 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$300
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
