Cat flu is characterized by watery eyes and frequent sneezing. The best protection against the disease is early vaccination. If an unvaccinated cat falls ill, it should be presented to a vet to improve its current state of health and minimize the risk of consequential damage.
How do cats get infected with cat flu?
It's the same as with us: the greatest risk of catching a cold is through contact with a sick conspecific. Single cats that are only kept indoors are therefore the least at risk. However, this should not be a reason for keeping cats alone in the home. Many cats go outside and meet other animals again and again. If a sick cat sneezes or coughs on another cat, licks it, eats from the same bowl or there is some other form of droplet or smear transmission, an infection occurs.
What triggers cat flu?
Cat flu is also known as the cat flu complex. This term was chosen because there are many possible causes of the disease. Both bacteria and viruses can be involved - and several of them at once. The main causes are feline calici and herpes viruses, as well as the bacterial species Chlamydia felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica (which causes kennel cough in dogs). They can occur in various combinations, favoring each other and causing different symptoms.
Typical symptoms of cat flu
Depending on which viruses and bacteria are involved in cat flu, different symptoms occur. Typical symptoms are
- Frequent sneezing
- Mucus discharge from the nose
- Watery, crusty eyes
- Breathing problems
- fever
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty swallowing
- Heavy salivation
- Weight loss
- Tiredness
- Ulcers in the mouth
Which cats are particularly at risk?
As transmission is usually passed on from animal to animal, outdoor cats and animals in multi-cat households are particularly at risk. In turn, kittens under four months of age are at greatest risk, as are older cats and all animals whose immune system is weakened by illness, for example.
Is cat flu contagious?
Cat flu is highly contagious, which is why special precautions should be taken in the event of a suspected or confirmed diagnosis. In a multi-cat household, the affected animal should be separated. If it is usually allowed outside, this should be avoided until further notice so that no other cats are infected.
Although it is very unlikely, cat flu can also be transmitted to humans. As with cats, children and sick and elderly people are more likely to be affected by transmission than healthy adults. In any case, contact should not be too intimate and it is advisable to wash your hands if you have been licked by the cat.
How does the vet make a diagnosis?
Cats with suspected cat flu should be taken to a vet as soon as possible in order to improve the cat's condition and reduce the risk of secondary damage. If several typical symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes are present, the diagnosis is quickly made. However, to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will carry out a more detailed examination, which may include a swab of the mucous membranes, a blood test and listening to the lungs.
What is the treatment for cat flu?
A cat cold cannot be compared to a "little sniffle", which we also have from time to time. It is more like a proper flu. If the disease remains untreated, it can become chronic. It can also lead to changes in the eyes and pneumonia. Unfortunately, there is no medication against viruses, but there is against bacteria, which can be combated with antibiotics. If the cat has not been drinking and/or eating enough, it can be fed intravenously. The vet can also prescribe an expectorant and medication for coughing, as well as taking action against any inflammation. The immune system can also be supported by conventional medicine or homeopathy.
What home remedies are there for cat colds?
A cat with suspected cat flu should always be presented to a vet. He will tell you what you can do in addition to taking medication. This may include, for example, regularly cleaning the eyes and nose with a saline solution. Also make sure that the cat is undisturbed, has no contact with other animals and is kept nice and warm. High-quality food and your cat's favorite treats can also help it to develop an appetite and regain its strength soon.
Prevention through vaccination!
The best way to protect your cat from cat flu is to vaccinate it. The Standing Veterinary Vaccination Commission advises that this should be done as part of basic immunization. This means that kittens are already vaccinated against cat flu in order to build up defense mechanisms at an early stage. You can recognize this vaccination in the cat's vaccination certificate by the "RCP" sticker, which includes the vaccination against cat flu as well as the vaccination against feline enteritis. Kittens are usually vaccinated in the 8th, 12th and 16th week, during which time their natural protective mechanism through their mother's milk slowly fades and they begin to build up their own protection. Basic immunization is completed with a vaccination at 15 months of age. Depending on how high the risk of infection is, a booster is recommended every one to three years. Discuss this with your vet.