Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) is an infectious disease caused by feline herpesvirus type-1. As with other herpes viruses, the virus is very species-specific, and is only known to cause infections in domestic and wild cats. The virus can infect cats of all ages. Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis is a major cause of upper respiratory disease in cats and is the most common cause of conjunctivitis.
Transmission:
As with most viruses, a cat becomes infected with this virus by direct contact with virus particles. The virus is excreted in saliva and in discharges from the eyes and nose of an infected cat. Therefore, an infection occurs when a susceptible cat comes into direct contact with an infected cat, or comes into contact with inanimate objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with viral particles.
Symptoms:
Some infected cats can remain without symptoms, yet act as carriers and spread the infection to other non-infected cats. The following symptoms may also be sporadic in carriers:
- Sudden, uncontrollable attacks of sneezing
- Watery or pus containing nasal discharge
- Loss of sense of smell
- Spasm of the eyelid muscle resulting in closure of the eye
- Eye discharge
- Inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye
- Keratitis
- Lack of appetite
- Fever
- General malaise
- Loss of pregnancy