Feline herpes , or FHV-1 is a common disease in cats. It can affect a cat at any age, but kittens are particularly susceptible. It is responsible for approximately 80% or more of respiratory infection in cats. Most cats come in contact with it at some point in their lives. A virus causes it and once infection occurs, it does not go away. Symptoms may go in to remission, but the cat will carry the virus for life. It can cause a range of symptoms from mild to severe, and the effects vary greatly from cat to cat. It does not often, but can, cause death.

How infection occurs
Infection is usually spread through contact with fluids from the eyes, nose or mouth, or contact with anything that touched fluids. Infected mother cats often pass the virus to their kittens. Stray cats and ferals are particularly susceptible. Some conditions make infection more likely. These include:
Overcrowding
Frequent introduction of new cats or exposure to many different cats
High stress environments
Poor sanitation or ventilation
Poor nutrition

Symptoms
Symptoms range from mild to severe. This virus commonly causes upper respiratory symptoms and subsequent loss of appetite. Discharge from the eyes, usually brown in color, in common. It can also cause ulcers in the eye. Redness around the eye can indicate an ulcer. . It is important that ocular symptoms are treated promptly as ulcers can lead to rupture of the eye. With treatment, symptoms usually disappear within 7-10 days but can resurface at any time.

Treatment
Treatment may consist of oral antibiotics to prevent secondary infection. Ointment is usually prescribed for ocular symptoms. Your vet may also prescribe something to suppress the virus. Lysine is frequently used for this. One of the more troublesome symptoms of this disease is loss of appetite. It is dangerous for any cat to go more than a few days without eating, as they can sustain long-term damage. Because cats rely on their sense of smell for their appetite, the upper respiratory symptoms associated with herpes can cause a problem. Some vets may prescribe nasal spray to assist with this. If your cat refuses to eat for more than a few days due to this or any illness, please make sure your veterinarian is experienced in dealing with cats. Many who are not may prescribe forced fluids only or an IV and this does not always prevent long-term damage. Many vets prescribe special food, such as Hills A/D, to be force fed with a large syringe if the cat will not eat on its own. Please see a veterinarian for instruction on the proper way to do this.

Prevention
The upper respiratory/distemper vaccine given once a year protects against herpes to a certain extent but is not a guarantee. It does lead to less severe symptoms when infection occurs. Isolating sick cats, especially when they are symptomatic is also useful. Avoid exposure to sick or strange cats, and wash your hands after handling any strange or new cats. Avoid stress triggers, such as frequent travel, introduction of new pets or major changes in the environment. Lysine may be useful in an envrionment where there are both infected and uninfected cats, as it can inhibit the virus from reproducing.

Links
Herpes Viral Conjunctivitis: A Feline Problem
Feline Herpes
Feline Herpesvirus

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