Content
- What is feline calicivirus?
- Why is feline calicivirus dangerous?
- Feline Calicivirus - How Is It Transmitted?
- Feline Calicivirus Symptoms
- What is the diagnosis?
- Feline Calicivirus Treatment
- Feline Calicivirus - Prevention
At the Animal Expert we want the best for your pet, which is why we try to address all the illnesses, conditions and behaviors that may present themselves to your furry friend.
On this occasion, let's talk about the feline calicivirus, symptoms and treatment, because this disease is extremely common among cats and can be dangerous for your cat if it is not detected in time.
Always remember not to self-medicate your pet, go to your veterinarian for any unusual symptoms or behavior, and give your little friend all the love, care and nutrition he needs to be a strong, healthy animal. and happy.
What is feline calicivirus?
It is a disease highly infectious that usually affects large colonies of felines, due to the ease with which the virus is transmitted. However, it can also appear among domestic cats.
The calicivirus (FCV) is a type of feline flu. It manifests as an acute respiratory illness that affects the feline's upper tracts and can cause sinusitis and rhinitis. The virus belongs to the family caliciviridae, like Vesivirus.
Even when they appear to have been cured, cats that have been affected can become healthy carriers, which is where the high level of transmission of this disease resides.
Why is feline calicivirus dangerous?
Feline calicivirus is a virus whose infectious strain changes easily, that is, the same strain adapts and changes according to the environment in which it finds itself and the demands it presents, so that the virus develops small variations.
These variations have led to the existence of a large number of strains of this disease, which makes identification and precise prevention difficult.
Furthermore, even cats vaccinated against the virus can get it., precisely because of this mutability capacity. Of course, vaccinating them considerably reduces the chances, so it is considered mandatory to do so.
Its appearance is very frequent in wild cat colonies or shelters, as it spreads very easily. However, if your domestic cat has access to the outdoors, it can also become infected and other cats in the house, if any.
Also, sometimes your cat can chronically get this virus, or even become a carrier, which means that it will not show any symptoms or discomfort, but can transmit the disease to other cats.
Feline Calicivirus - How Is It Transmitted?
The main route of contagion is through the direct contact with infected cats or carriers, as it is transported in saliva and feces, albeit in smaller proportions.
The most common means of contagion occurs through objects or spaces used, or frequented by an infected cat and that involve contact with animal fluids, such as feeders, toys and toilet beds, as bacteria can survive in these areas for up to a period of 28 days.
They are more likely to contract the virus from young puppies, homeless animals, elderly cats and immunocompromised felines. However, any cat can be infected with the virus, so it is important to be up to date with vaccinations and the necessary care to prevent the spread.
It is important to note that this virus does not spread to humans or dogs.
Feline Calicivirus Symptoms
O feline calicivirus it is a respiratory disease, as the virus enters the animal through the mouth or nose, lodging in the lymphoid tissue that corresponds to the oropharynx, affecting the lungs. Its symptoms are:
- Colds
- sneezing
- Mucus
- Conjunctivitis
- Palate ulcers
- Ulcers on the oral mucosa
- nose ulcers
- Depression
The disease can be aggravated by causing pneumonia and arthritis, although it is only in rare cases. Some strains cause fever and lameness.
Symptoms usually appear 2 to 10 days after being infected. The pain of mouth ulcers causes the cat stop eating. Conjunctivitis can also cause corneal ulcers, due to the animal's efforts to scratch itself.
The virus cycle lasts about four weeks and most cats recover, although there are chronic cases and healthy carriers. About 80% of cats stop infecting the virus 75 days after they are cured, but the other 20% become healthy carriers for years, or even for the rest of their lives.
In recent years, a more virulent and dangerous strain of this virus has been discovered, called feline systemic virulent calicivirus (VS-FCV), whose additional symptoms to those already mentioned are:
- Jaundice (yellow skin)
- Swelling of the face and extremities
- Ulcers on foot pads, nose, mouth and ears
- hair loss
- Gingivitis
- Stomatitis
If it is not attended to in a timely and appropriate manner, the virus can cause death.
What is the diagnosis?
Symptoms help you quickly know if you are dealing with a case of feline calicivirus, especially when the ulcers appear in the animal's mouth. However, laboratory tests are performed with tissue cultures of the oropharyngeal mucosa.
Feline Calicivirus Treatment
Once confirmed the presence of the virus and the strain identified, the treatment will be prescribed. It is not a drug that kills the virus, however, they are prescribed drugs that provide support for the animal in the duration of its disease cycle, allowing to alleviate the symptoms and prevent them from worsening.
Antibiotics are prescribed for possible infections, as well as medications that help the cat breathe better and pain relievers to control the pain. In addition, antivirals are administered to control the effects of the infection.
Hydration is extremely important, therefore, in principle, a fluid therapy treatment will be prescribed according to the doctor's criteria.
If the cat refuses to eat because of pain, we recommend offering soft, fragrant food. If that fails, you should resort to assisted feeding in liquid form, through a syringe, always taking care not to hurt the animal or cause unnecessary stress.
Before mucous secretion and tears, it is necessary to help the cat with constant cleaning Made with a piece of damp cotton, to avoid discomfort for the cat and prevent possible complications due to bacteria.
The feline should be kept in a comfortable, warm and draught-free environment to help its quick recovery. In addition, it is essential that the animal remains isolated from other cats in its environment and avoids incursions abroad.
Consult your veterinarian about the possibility of testing to rule out diseases such as leukemia and feline immunodeficiency, as cats that suffer from this type of infection are likely to develop other diseases more easily.
Feline Calicivirus - Prevention
In domestic animals, we recommend following the vaccination schedule for kittens, as indicated by the veterinarian, repeating the boosters every year. While this does not stop the virus from spreading one hundred percent, it will be better protected than other animals.
If you rescued a lost feline, it must remain isolated from your other animals until it performs the necessary laboratory tests to rule out this and other diseases.
When it comes to a refuge, vaccination is also essential. Cats confirmed to be infected with feline calicivirus should be separated from others to avoid an epidemic. Each must have its own individual eater and its own sandbox. Periodically it is necessary to disinfect the objects he uses with products that eliminate the virus and are not harmful to the feline.
Those responsible for the refuge must take care of the last sick animals, after attending to all the others. They should wash their faces and arms and change their clothes when they finish handling the virus carriers.
The area where animals with calicivirus will be isolated should have adequate ventilation, low humidity and a cool temperature. Spaces will be cleaned frequently.
The most important thing for preventing this disease, in addition to maintaining a vaccination regimen, is to maintain strict hygiene that prevents its spread.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.