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Cats + Infectious Diseases

  • Feline calicivirus is a virus that is an important cause of upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats. The typical clinical signs of an upper respiratory infection involve the nose and throat such as sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, and discharge from the nose or eyes. Calicivirus is highly contagious and infected cats can shed the virus in saliva or secretions from the nose or eyes. The standard core vaccines that are given to cats include immunization against calicivirus and will help reduce the severity of disease and shorten the length of the illness if your cat is exposed.

  • Feline hemotrophic mycoplasmosis (FHM) is caused by a microscopic bacterial parasite that attaches itself to the surface of the cat's red blood cells. The infected blood cells may break down, or they may be treated as “foreign” by the cat's immune system and be destroyed. Anemia occurs if enough red blood cells are infected and destroyed. The test of choice is called a PCR assay. Broad-spectrum antibiotics such as doxycycline, enrofloxacin, or marbofloxacin are used to treat M.Haemofelis infections. Transmission is not fully understood.

  • Feline herpes viral conjunctivitis is a form of primary conjunctivitis caused by the highly infectious feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), which is the most common cause of conjunctivitis in cats. This handout outlines the clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for affected cats.

  • This handout provides information on Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) in cats. Included is information on how the disease is transmitted, the clinical signs, the recommendations for isolation of the infected cats, and potential treatment guidelines should your cat be infected with this virus.

  • Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a complex disease caused by a virus that triggers an abnormal immune system response. Once ingested, it infects the intestine and may cause vomiting and diarrhea. It occurs worldwide in cats of all ages, but is most common in young cats, less than two years of age.

  • Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a virus that infects cats and depresses the immune system, making infected cats more prone to infections, anemia, and certain cancers. It is usually transmitted by direct contact between cats through close contact activities (mating, mutual grooming, sharing litter trays and food bowls). There is no cure, but a vaccine is available.

  • Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a virus that infects cats. FeLV depresses the immune system and cats tend to remain infected for life. There is no cure for FeLV, and the disease is fatal, so preventing FeLV through vaccination is highly recommended.

  • Feline panleukopenia (FPL), also sometimes called feline distemper, is a serious viral illness in cats caused by the feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV). Outlined in this handout is transmission, clinical signs, treatment, and prognosis of cats with FPL.

  • Feline upper respiratory infection (URI) is one term for a respiratory infection caused by one or more viral or bacterial agents. Synonyms for this condition include feline infectious respiratory disease and feline upper respiratory disease complex (URD).

  • Fight wounds often result in infections that can become serious if left untreated. Punctures from bites seal over quickly, trapping bacteria under the skin. If your cat is bitten, it is important to be seen by a veterinarian for treatment as soon as possible.