Feline Upper Respiratory Disease Complex
"Feline Upper Respiratory Disease Complex" is the term used to describe a condition affecting the mouth, nasal passages, sinuses, and upper airway in cats and kittens. There are multiple causes of feline upper respiratory complex, but 80-90% of the cases are caused by feline herpes-1 (also called feline rhinotracheitis virus) and calicivirus (pronounced cal-ee-chee). Other causes include Chlamydia psittaci, feline reovirus, Bordatella bronchiseptica, Pasteurella spp., and mycoplasmas. Infections and symptoms by some of these agents may occur secondarily to an infection with rhinotracheitis virus or calicivirus.
How is feline upper respiratory disease complex spread?
Both feline rhinotracheitis virus and calicivirus are spread through
contact with the discharge from the eyes and nose of an infected
cat. This usually occurs through direct cat-to-cat contact. Food
dishes, hands, bedding etc., which have been contaminated with
infected discharge, can transmit these viruses from one cat to
another.
What are the symptoms of feline upper respiratory disease
complex?
The symptoms of feline upper respiratory disease vary as to which
virus, bacteria, etc. is the cause, the age of the animal, and
other health factors.
How is feline upper respiratory disease complex diagnosed?
The diagnosis of feline upper respiratory disease complex is made
based on medical history (e.g., vaccination status and possibility
of exposure to an infected cat), clinical signs, and rarely through
special laboratory tests to determine the exact cause of disease,
e.g., isolating the virus. If a cat has recurrent episodes of
disease, has signs of disease even though it was vaccinated, or
the symptoms last longer than two weeks the cat should be tested
for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency).
How is feline upper respiratory disease complex treated?
The treatment of cats with feline upper respiratory disease complex
is basically the same, regardless of cause and includes:
Cats with upper respiratory disease are generally not hospitalized
unless their symptoms are severe due to the contagious nature
of the disease. In severe cases, fluid therapy, supplemental oxygen,
or a tube placed in the stomach for feeding cats who will not
eat may be necessary.
What is the prognosis for cats with feline upper respiratory
disease complex?
Most cats infected with feline rhinotracheitis virus or calicivirus
will become chronic carriers of the virus. This means they will
continue to be infected with the virus but not show any signs
of the disease. In the case of rhinotracheitis (herpes-1), cats
will often shed the virus in secretions from the eyes and nose
after they have been stressed, e.g., boarding, moving, new addition
to the household, nursing kittens, etc. Cats with calicivirus
will shed the virus continually for years. Cats who have been
vaccinated for calicivirus and then exposed to an infected cat
may become infected with the "wild" virus (the strain
of virus that occurs naturally and can cause disease, not the
vaccine strain), never show signs of disease, become carriers
of the wild virus, and continue to shed the wild virus.
How is feline upper respiratory disease complex prevented
and controlled?
Vaccination is the primary way to prevent feline upper respiratory
disease complex. There are several different types of vaccines
available: a modified live injectable vaccine, a modified live
vaccine that is administered into the nose, and an injectable
killed vaccine (for more information on these types of vaccines,
see The Production and Types of Vaccines.
The modified live injectable vaccine is often a combination product
which includes rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia,
another viral disease of cats. Combination vaccines may also include
feline leukemia virus and Chlamydia. Modified live injectable
vaccines should be administered very carefully, so none of the
vaccine gets into the eyes, nose, or mouth of the cat, otherwise
the vaccine could induce clinical signs of disease.
The modified live intranasal vaccine is manufactured differently so it is safe to give in the nose, although mild sneezing or nasal discharge could occur. The advantages of this vaccine are that it provides better and more rapid protection (within 2-4 days of giving the vaccine), can be given to very young kittens, and is effective even if maternal antibodies are present. It is recommended that this vaccine be used in limited situations in which there is a high but unavoidable risk of exposure.
The killed injectable vaccine often comes as a combination product. Some killed vaccines are licensed to be used in pregnant cats so the newborn kittens will be born with more protection. These vaccines are also used in debilitated or immunodeficient cats. Some are licensed for use in very young kittens.
Regardless of which vaccine is used, kittens need a series of vaccinations to become protected. Vaccination schedules should take into account the potential of exposure of the kittens to cats who have disease or may be carriers of the viruses.
Remember, vaccination is not 100% effective. Vaccinated cats can still become infected with the wild strain of virus, show mild signs of disease and become carriers of the virus.
Because vaccination is not 100% effective, and rhinotracheitis virus and calicivirus are widespread, other control measures are often necessary in areas where cats are in close proximity, e.g., boarding facilities and catteries. Suggested control and prevention measures include:
The information on this page was obtained from the site www.peteducation.com