When my mother-in-law decided to adopt another cat, she wanted to go through a rescue. She chose a local cage-free rescue, where she chose an orange tabby (red, if you want to get technical) named Goldie. She had to fill out a brief adoption form, and received instructions to meet the director on a certain date to have Goldie spayed. The director also handed my mother-in-law a small tube, and said that it had an “ointment” for the kitten’s eye. 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. Excited about her new kitten, my mother-in-law didn’t ask a lot of questions.
I’m sure my mother-in-law wishes she had asked a lot more questions at the time of Goldie’s adoption. 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. My mother-in-law took Goldie to the vet where she was given some antibiotics. In just a few weeks, the symptoms were back. Many vet visits and tests later, Goldie had a diagnosis — feline herpes.
What to know if your cat has feline herpes
What happens if your cat is diagnosed with feline herpes? Photography ©Eugene03 | Thinkstock.
Hearing that her cat had 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. The real bad news was that, by the time of diagnosis, her other cat, Hawkins, had already been exposed to the virus. The only thing to do at that point was move forward with management.
After months of vet visits and antibiotics, Goldie and Hawkins finally stopped showing symptoms of feline herpes. 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. Cats infected with feline herpes might experience occasional flare-ups of their symptoms, especially if they are stressed, such as being introduced to a new pet, moving or a change in their routine. In their case, lowering stress meant more seclusion from the other pets she had — some rather rambunctious dogs.
What exactly is feline herpes?
Feline 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. The virus is a major cause of upper respiratory infections, as well as conjunctivitis (swelling of the tissue around the eyes). Feline herpes can be spread from cat to cat by sharing litter boxes and food/water dishes and mutual grooming. The standard “core” vaccines your cat receives as a kitten and the yearly exam can help protect your cat against the virus. If a vaccinated cat does contract the virus, the symptoms will probably be less severe than a non-vaccinated cat.
What are the symptoms of herpes in cats?
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, it’s important that you see your vet immediately for a proper diagnosis.
Be sure and let your vet know if your cat has come in contact with any stray cats, was recently adopted or spent time in a vet office with cats who were potentially infected with feline herpes. While antibiotics might be necessary for cats with severe infections, others might respond to treatment with L-lysine, an amino acid that can help prevent the virus from replicating. With her vet’s guidance, my mother-in-law was able to keep her cats in good health by supplementing their premium diet with L-lysine.
Managing feline herpes
Feline herpes sounds scary, but it’s a manageable condition, and surprisingly common. Many people might not even be aware their cats have the virus because the kitties display no symptoms. With prompt attention from your vet and some simple management techniques, your cats can continue to live happy, healthy lives.
Tell us: What about you? Have you ever had a cat who was diagnosed with feline herpes? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Thumbnail: Photography ©krblokhin | Thinkstock.
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About Meghan Lodge: Fits the Aquarius definition to a fault, loves animals, and is always pushing for change. Loves ink, whether it’s in tattoos, books, or writing on that pretty sheet of blank paper. Proud parent of Toby (cat) and Axle (dog). I’m a former quiet nerd who’s turned bubbly animal-obsessed advocate.
