Feline Calicivirus Infection is a viral disease that usually occurs in kittens and young cats, causing mild to moderate upper respiratory tract infections. Within the scope of studies, it has been proven that approximately 80% of upper respiratory tract infections in cats are caused by Feline Calicivirus, Feline Herpesvirus-1 or both. Common traits in kittens and young cats that are particularly at risk include:
- Living under stress
- Not enought feeding
- Suppressed immune system
- Crowded and unhygienic life
What is Feline Calicivirus (FCV)?
Feline Calicivirus is a contagious virus that causes mouth lesions and mild to moderate respiratory infections in cats. This disease, called FCV for short, is a rapidly mutating strain. Upper respiratory problems in cats are quite common. FCV, especially in areas where cats live collectively, such as shelters; the risk of infecting young and kittens is very high. Most infected cats who achieve appropriate treatment will recover completely. However, in rare cases that mutate and are combined with other infections, it can carry a fatal risk. Stress, suppression of the immune system, other upper respiratory pathogens or having the Herpes virus can also cause cats to contract this disease.
How Feline Calicivirus (FCV) Is Transmitted?
FCV can be transmitted to another cat through the bodily fluids of the infected cat. It also spreads through secretions in the mouth, nose, or eyes. Here are some points that pave the way for the transmission of the virus and need to be considered:
- Shared cages and areas
- People who care for cats with the disease
- Shared food and litter boxes
- Viruses that enter the air through sneezing or coughing
- Cats biting or licking each other while playing
It is critical that cats who are worried about carrying the FCV virus are kept away from areas where other cats are present, that common areas are disinfected, that the people responsible for the care of different cats are contacted and that they remain sterile.
What Are the Symptoms of Feline Calicivirus Infection in Cats?
Symptoms of Feline Calicivirus infection may vary depending on the strain of Calicivirus and may persist for 5 to 10 days in low-severity cases and up to 6 weeks in more severe cases. Common symptoms are as follows:
- Discharge from the eyes or nose
- Sneezing
- Swelling of the pink tissues around the eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Keeping one or both eyes partially closed
- Pain-induced loss of appetite
- Drooling
- Bad breath
- Sores in the mouth or on the hairless skin of the nose
- Difficulty walking
- Pneumonia
- Ulcers around the mouth, tongue and mouth
In rare cases, calicivirus disease can cause joint pain in some cats. In this case, limping and fever may occur. Cats with this form of the disease may hesitate to walk or may limp often. Especially in kittens, limp syndrome typically occurs after vaccination or upper respiratory tract symptoms.
Pneumonia can also occur in cats when calicivirus infection is severe. This infection can cause painful ulcers in various parts of cats, especially the tongue. Due to the pain experienced, cats may experience drooling and intense appetite loss. FCV can also cause stomatitis, which can be encountered in the form of inflammation in the lips and mouths of cats.
It can also cause persistent inflammation (chronic stomatitis) in some cats' mouths that requires lifelong treatment.
Although very rarely, Calicivirus can mutate into a different form, which is quite deadly called Virulent Systemic Feline Calicivirus (VS-FCV). The possibility that the vital risk in VS-FCV may increase to 67% may increase even more in epidemics that occur in areas such as shelters where there is a crowded cat population.
How to Diagnose Calicivirus (FCV)?
Calicivirus infection can be diagnosed by the veterinarian by performing some examinations and tests such as:
Physical Examination: The veterinarian examines the cat's nasal and eye discharges by physical examination. Commonly investigated symptoms during the examination include:
- High fever
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Limping
- Ulcers in the mouth and paws
- Myocarditis
Serological tests:The levels of antibodies in the cat's blood are measured and antibodies produced to fight the infection are detected.
Complete blood count: By looking at values such as the number of white blood cells, values that show that the cat is fighting infection are examined. Generally, immune cells are found to be decreased.
Viral antigen tests: It is used to detect the proteins caused by the infection.
How Is Calicivirus (FCV) Treated?
Although there is no definitive treatment for Calicivirus infection in cats today, it is seen that cats usually overcome this infection with supportive treatment methods. In the treatment of calicivirus infection, the methods used primarily to reduce symptoms such as pain and fever are as follows:
- Antibiotics can be used for the treatment of secondary infections that may arise due to infection.
- Fluid therapy can be performed to regulate fluid levels, prevent dehydration and maintain electrolyte balance.
- Nutritional support can be given to prevent malnutrition that may occur due to loss of appetite.
Soft foods that can be mashed are given to relieve symptoms such as sores in the mouth and congestion in the throat and to facilitate feeding.
Generally, mild cases recover without clinical symptoms. Most cats recover completely after calicivirus infection. The aim of this disease is to defeat the disease by strengthening the immune system rather than treatment.
How to Avoid Feline Calicivirus?
Vaccination is one of the most important ways to reduce the risk of calicivirus infection and to prevent it. Vaccination does not provide 100% protection for pets against Calicivirus infection, but can be effective in reducing symptoms and risk of disease progression when exposed to infection.
Calicivirus; It is more common in multi-cat environments, shelters, or among stray cats. Cats and kittens with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting this virus.
Because an infected cat is more likely to transmit Calicivirus to other cats, it is critical to isolate it from other cats, separate common items and disinfect the environment regularly.
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