What is cat flu?
Coryza is a common and highly contagious respiratory and ocular disease that affects 30 to 60% of cats. It is a complex respiratory syndrome involving a combination of viruses (the best known are feline herpesvirus FHV-1, which causes feline infectious rhinotracheitis, and feline calicivirus FCV) and sometimes bacteria (chlamydia, bordetella, mycoplasma).
What are the signs?
Coryza can affect the eyes, nose, and/or mouth with different signs, depending on the agents responsible for the infection:
Ocular: eye discharge, crusting around the eyes, red eyes, closed eyes, corneal ulcers.
Respiratory: runny nose, stuffy or crusty nose, wheezing, sneezing, coughing.
Oral: gingivitis, hypersalivation, mouth ulcers.
Others: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dehydration, etc.
How can my cat get cat flu?
-Through direct contact with another animal
-Aerosols (sneezing)
-Contaminated surfaces
-Human transmission via hands, clothing, or shoes
Coryza is often present in feral cats and mainly affects kittens, older cats, and unvaccinated adults weakened by another illness or by stressful events or living conditions. The disease is also more common in animals living in groups (shelters and catteries) due to the highly contagious nature of the virus.
The viruses responsible for cat flu can survive for several days to several weeks in the environment and on contaminated surfaces.
Can my cat fully recover from coryza?
The clinical signs of coryza usually disappear within 10 to 14 days with appropriate treatment. Subsequently, some cats completely eliminate the virus from their bodies, while others remain chronic carriers and intermittently excrete the virus for the rest of their lives.
Indeed, just like the herpesvirus in humans, the feline herpesvirus has the ability to remain inactive in the nervous system and reactivate in cases of stress or decreased immunity. It is then excreted and responsible for recurrent clinical signs of varying intensity.
Can coryza be transmitted from cats to other species or to humans?
Coryza is a specific disease. The agents of feline coryza are specific to cats; they cannot be transmitted to dogs or other domestic animals, but only to other cats.
Feline coryza is not a zoonosis. It cannot be transmitted to humans. However, humans can infect other cats by carrying the viruses and bacteria responsible for the disease on their hands, clothing, shoes, etc.
What are the treatments?
When your cat is infected and has coryza, the main hygiene measures and treatments that your veterinarian may recommend are as follows:
Clean the eyes with specific eye cleansers, and sometimes administer eye lubricants (artificial tears based on hyaluronic acid, etc.) to protect the eyes from further complications.
Administer antiviral and/or antibiotic eye drops to treat the local infection.
Clean the nose by gently removing crusts and secretions with a clean, damp compress.
Facilitate breathing by decongesting the nasal passages through inhalation of a blend of essential oils suitable for cats.
Administer oral medication to control fever and viral or bacterial infections if necessary.
Despite therapeutic care, in severe cases, the cat's condition may worsen and require hospitalization for more intensive treatment and care.
How can I prevent my cat from becoming infected?
1. Vaccination
Your veterinarian will recommend vaccinating your cat at 6 to 8 weeks of age. Two injections, sometimes three, should be given one month apart, followed by an annual booster, for effective long-term protection against coryza.
2. Avoid stress
If possible, reduce your cat's exposure to stress. Feline herpesvirus can be reactivated during stressful situations or when immunity is low. Complementary foods or nutritional supplements (L-lysine, cysteine, vitamins B6, A, C, E, zinc, omega 3, probiotics, etc.) can be useful in supporting cats during periods of risk (pregnancy, birth, nursing, weaning, moving, when a kitten is introduced into a new home with other cats, weakened immune system, etc.).
3. Strict hygiene measures, especially in communities
How to prevent your only cat from becoming infected: Ensure your cat receives the appropriate vaccinations, maintain a clean environment, and limit contact with potentially infected cats.
How to prevent your infected cat from infecting other cats in the house: Isolate the infected cat from other cats, use separate equipment (such as food bowls and litter boxes), disinfect all shared surfaces and objects (food bowls, litter boxes, and toys), and practice good hygiene by regularly cleaning contact areas.
How to prevent spreading the virus/bacteria: Wash your hands and change your clothes after handling an infected cat or its personal belongings, and avoid touching other cats or sharing equipment between cats if they are sick.
Can my cat get cat flu even though it has been properly vaccinated?
A vaccinated cat can still be infected with coryza, but will generally develop a less severe and less contagious form of the disease.
Source: Dômes Pharma
