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This virus in the cat typically causes
an upper respiratory tract infection. Otherwise
known as the feline herpes virus, it behaves much like
that of the human herpes virus, and becomes embedded
in the nerve sheaths of the affected cat usually in
the nerves about the head.
At times of stress, the virus emerges,
and can cause symptoms of upper respiratory disease
such as sneezing, coughing, and discharge from the nose. Spread
of the virus occurs through the fluid discharge from
the sneezing and coughing cat. Humans are not
affected.
Some cats will only develop inflammation
in the eye(s) which may result in red eyes that have
excessive discharging. Ulcers can also occur on
the surface of the affected eye. Severely affected
cats can stop eating, and become dehydrated.
Treatment is supportive care with antibiotics
either given by mouth, or topically applied to the eye(s),
or both. Fluid therapy is reserved for those cats
not eating who have become dehydrated.
Although treatment is usually successful,
once infected by this virus, it will remain attached
to the cat's nerve sheath for life. Periods of
stress can then cause it to reemmerge.
Prevention through vaccination
is the best way of controlling this disease in the cat.
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