My cat has Herpes!? How could this have happened? He is an only cat!

It’s OK! We promise you can’t get this type of herpes virus from your cat, and your cat was not cheating on you!

This type of herpes virus acts like the ‘common cold’ in cats and is the most common upper respiratory complaint we see during the year, even in kitties current on their FVRCP vaccination.

Many cats actually have the herpes virus in their body. Herpes is highly contagious between cats, so just being around another cat with an upper respiratory infection at some point (shelter, breeder cattery, kitten play classes, foster environments, even in utero!) usually means your cat has been exposed to the herpes virus and at some point will show the symptoms.

Many times we will see what is called a “flare up.” One day your cat is completely normal and then the next he is a sneezing, watery-eyed mess. Just like in people, the virus is diagnosed by the variety of symptoms your cat may exhibit. They can range from uncontrolled sneezing, watery eyes/conjunctivitis, nasal congestion, lethargy, mild fevers, discharge from the eyes or nose, and sometimes drooling due to ulcers in the mouth or eyes and a lack of appetite (because they usually cannot smell their food).

Most of the time this virus will rear its ugly head when the cat is stressed (moving, car rides, new friends visiting, a new pet etc….) and their immune system has dropped a bit. It normally can take the body anywhere from 7-21 days for recovery time depending on the severity of the case and if a secondary infection is involved.

Treatment usually starts with giving L-lysine (an amino acid that is known for it’s efficacy on boosting the immune system) and extra TLC from you. There are some cases that do need antibiotics due to a secondary bacterial nasal or eye infection present that the virus invited in to play with.

Cats that have frequent outbreaks of the virus can take L-lysine on a daily basis to help keep the virus in a dormant state. The nice benefit of this supplement is that it comes in a variety of ways (treats, paste, and powder) to give to your cat effectively without pilling your cat!

If you suspect your cat is starting to get an upper respiratory infection, do not hesitate to contact NOVA Cat Clinic to set up an appointment for our veterinarians to determine how to effectively treat your cat.