When I asked the vet about feline herpes, the person declined to comment, not wanting any “comments to be construed as treatment advice.” The vet was quick to say that, if you suspect your cat or kitten has an upper respiratory infection or eye infection, see your vet immediately for a proper diagnosis. If a vaccinated cat does contract the virus, the symptoms will probably be less severe than a non-vaccinated cat. The standard “core” vaccines your cat receives as a kitten and the yearly exam can help protect your cat against the virus. The virus is a major cause of upper respiratory infections, as well as conjunctivitis (swelling of the tissue around the eyes).įeline herpes can be spread from cat to cat by sharing litter boxes and food/water dishes and mutual grooming. In this case, lowering stress meant more seclusion from the household’s other pets - some rather rambunctious dogs.įeline herpes, also known as FVR (feline viral rhinopneumonitis) and FHV-1 (feline herpesvirus type 1), is an infectious disease known to affect only cats, domestic and wild. Cats infected with feline herpes might experience occasional flare-ups of their symptoms, especially in stressful situations, such as being introduced to a new pet, moving or a change in their routine. As the vet explained to my mother-in-law, both of her cats were now carriers of the feline herpesvirus, and they might “shed” the virus when stressed.

The only thing to do at that point was move forward with management.Īfter months of vet visits and antibiotics, Goldie and Hawkins finally stopped showing symptoms of feline herpes. The real bad news was that, by the time of diagnosis, her other cat, Hawkins, had already been exposed to the virus. Hearing that her cat had feline herpes was cause for recoil, but her vet quickly assured her that it could NOT be spread to humans or even dogs, and it was not the type associated with the sexually transmitted disease in humans. What to know if your cat has feline herpes Does your cat have feline herpes? Photography ©Eugene03 | Thinkstock. Many vet visits and tests later, Goldie had a diagnosis - feline herpes. In just a few weeks, the symptoms were back.

My mother-in-law took Goldie to the vet, who gave her some antibiotics. The director was pretty vague about the need for the ointment, simply stating Goldie had slight symptoms of an eye infection and the ointment was only a precaution. After getting her home, the eye didn’t clear up, and Goldie started exhibiting signs of an upper respiratory infection - sneezing and runny/watery eyes. The director handed my mother-in-law a small tube, and said it was “ointment” for the kitten’s eye. When my mother-in-law decided to adopt another cat, she chose a local cage-free rescue, where she adopted an orange tabby named Goldie.

Vet squish that cat