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Many of us at some point over winter will unfortunately succumb to the dreaded cold or flu. But you may wonder – can cats get the flu too? The answer is yes! However, we are generally not infected with the same viruses. You will not pass your flu on to your kitty, nor will you catch the flu from them.

Symptoms of cat flu

Similar to human flu, “cat flu” (or upper respiratory disease) can cause:

• sneezing and/or coughing
• nasal discharge or a snuffly nose
• conjunctivitis (eye infection and ocular discharge), corneal ulceration  (the clear part at the front of the eye)
• a sore throat (leading to a loss or change of voice)
• ulcers on the tongue, mouth and nose
• muscle and joint aches and pains
• decreased appetite
• fever
• general lethargy.

Whilst cat flu is rarely serious in adult cats, it can be fatal in kittens, adult cats that have suppressed immune systems (e.g. those suffering with FIV, FeLV), the elderly or those that are unvaccinated.

So what causes cat flu?

Approximately 90% of upper respiratory infections are caused by one (or both) of the cat flu viruses Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1) and Feline Calicivirus (FCV). Other, less common, causes of upper respiratory infection may include bacteria such as Chlamydophila felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica, or Mycoplasmas.

How is cat flu spread?

• Direct contact with an infected cat showing signs of upper respiratory infection (saliva, tears and nasal discharge contain the largest amounts of virus)
• Direct contact with a carrier cat shedding virus
• Contact with virus carried on clothing, food bowls and other objects (viruses may be able to survive in the environment and on objects for up to 2 (FHV-1) to 10 (FCV) days.

How is it diagnosed?

A presumptive diagnosis of cat flu is typically made via observation of clinical signs. Tests are available through specialised laboratories for FHV-1 and FCV using a swab of secretions obtained from the mouth or eye, however for uncomplicated cases these may not be required. For cases that do not respond to standard treatment, these tests are often performed and/or further diagnostics may be required including; blood tests, x-rays, advanced imaging and scoping the nose and throat under general anaesthesia.

How is it treated?

Treatment for upper respiratory infection is largely supportive and symptomatic. Antibiotics are often prescribed to combat secondary bacterial infections. Other treatments will depend on the cat’s symptoms and may include eye ointments, analgesics, mucolytics and nebulisation.

Excellent nursing care at home is another hugely important aspect of getting your kitty well as soon as possible. Just like us with the flu, they need to be kept warm and comfortable and provided with lots of TLC! If nasal congestion is severe and breathing is difficult steam inhalation may make discharges more liquid and more easily relieved by sneezing. Discharge from the eyes and nose should be gently wiped away and consider grooming your cat if they feel too unwell to manage on their own. Cats that cannot smell are often reluctant to eat, so we need to tempt them with strong-smelling foods such as canned fish or foods that are gently warmed. Cats that refuse to eat due to a poor appetite may need placement of a feeding tube to provide assisted nutrition. Feeding is essential as poor nutrition can contribute to disease and will  slow down healing. Intravenous fluids may also be needed if your cat is not drinking properly, to avoid dehydration.

For those cats that are suspected to have a herpes viral infection, there is an anti-herpes anti-viral drug Famcyclovir that is available and has been found to be safe to use in cats.

Are there any long-term consequences?

Although most cats recover from cat flu, it may take several weeks for the signs to abate. Almost all cats infected with FHV-1 will remain long-term carriers. Many of these will never shed significant amounts of virus whilst others may shed virus intermittently (in saliva, tears and nasal secretions), especially during times of stress. Some cats may show mild signs of flu again when they shed the virus.

Most cats infected with FCV remain carriers of the virus, and continue to shed the virus for a period of weeks or months after infection, but the majority (although not all) will eventually eliminate the virus within a few months.

Some recovered cats may develop long-term nasal problems because of damage caused by the viral infection. This may require intermittent courses of antibiotics for the remainder of the cat’s life.

Some poor kitties will suffer intermittent corneal ulceration which requires eye ointment and pain relief. Herpes virus can cause permanent severe eye damage in kittens that have not yet opened their eyes.

Can it be prevented?

Vaccination

The best way to try to prevent your cat becoming infected with cat flu is ensuring their vaccinations are up to date. As with the human flu, it is important to remember that there are many different agents that can cause cat flu so a vaccinated cat can still get cat flu, although symptoms are likely to be less severe. We recommend vaccination for cat flu for ALL cats, whether they live exclusively indoors or have access outdoors.

Barrier nursing

In addition to ensuring that all cats are vaccinated, where possible a cat showing clinical signs should be kept isolated from other cats (e.g. confined to one room) until recovered. Separate food bowls and litter trays should be used, and ideally the cat should be kept in a room that has very easy to disinfect surfaces.

If you would like to read more about upper respiratory infections please refer to our information page on cat flu. If you notice any of these signs in your kitty, they should be examined as soon as possible to assist in preventing long-term complications.

Here’s hoping our feline friends (and their humans) remain flu-free this winter!

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