Feline respiratory disease complex Navies March 2011

Definition Feline Respiratory Disease complex includes conjunctivits, rhinosinusitis, lacrimation, salivation, oral ulcerations. Species specific- Exotic and Domestic Felines FVR-Feline Viral Rhinotrachitis FCV- Feline Calicivirus

Etiology Caused by either : – Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus (FVR) (herpes) – Feline Calicivirus (FCV) – Chlamydia felis (C felis) – Viruses (80-90%): herpes and calcivirus (ulcerative stomatitis) virus, bacteria, Modified live vaccines (mild signs in most cases), FeCV, FIV, fungal infection, polyp, piece of grass snorted up into nasal passages...,

History of Feline Respiratory Disease Complex FVR was first isolated from cats in 1958 in the United States – It is a leading cause of infectious upper respiratory tract diseases in cats. – It is related to other Herpesviruses such as those that cause cold sores and chicken pox in humans – Infects only felines FCV first discovered in the 1950s – It is a leading cause of infectious upper respiratory tract diseases in cats. – Related to other caliciviruses that cause disease to humans and other animals such as the norwalk virus. – Does not affect humans

Signalment of Infected Cats Severe symptoms are usually confined to kittens of up to 6 months and senior cats Any cat regardless of signalment is susceptible to Feline Respiratory Disease Complex if they are not vaccinated. Adult cats are unvaccinated or in a multi- cat environment.

How it is Transmitted? FVR /FCV/C felis – Direct contact with the discharge from the eyes and nose of an infected cat. – Aerosol: Sneezing may contaminate the environment. – Fomites: Food dishes, hands, bedding, and other objects which have been contaminated with infected discharge. – Not zoonotic Calicivirus is shed continuously FVR is released intermittenly Incubation period is 2-6 days for FVR/FCV Incubation period is 5-10 days for pneumonitis C felis – Mode of transmission is not certain however the bacterium that causes feline chlamydia is unable to survive in the environment. – Not zoonotic

Clinical Signs of Feline Respiratory Disease Complex FVR Sneezing Nasal Discharge Conjunctivitis Abortion Fever Loss of appetite Drooling Oral ulcers(rare ) Depression FCV Eye discharge Loss of appetite (mild) Oral ulcers Chronic Gingivitis Joint and muscle pain Depression (mild) Fever may reach 105'F (40.5'C) but subsides and tends to fluctuate from normal to 103'F (39'C)

Clinical Signs Cont…. C felis Conjunctivitis Watery eyes Runny Nose Sneezing Coughing If disease progresses Dyspnea Fever Loss of appetite Pneumonia (young kittens)

Diagnosis Presumptive diagnosis is based on typical signs. a.FVR affects conjunctivae and nasal passageway b.Caliciviruses oral mucosa and lower respiratory tract Chlamydial is chronic, low-grade conjunctivitis Isolation and ID of agent-oropharyngeal mucosa, extrenal nares and conjunctival sacs are preferred sampling sites.

Diagnostic Tests & Expected Results Polymerase chain reaction Virus isolation Fluorescent testing of cells taken from the conjuctiva FCV FVRC Felis

Treatment Fluids for dehydration Broad spectrum antibiotic Decongestant, antihistamines, vaporization can be administered Clean eyes and nose often throughout the day Offer odoriferous food or force feed if necessary Avoid using cortisone as an anti- inflammatory Decrease any extra stress to cat Apply topically for oral infections – Idoxuridine (Stoxil) – Vidarabine (Vira-A) – Trifluridine (Viroptic) 1% Good nursing care Broad spectrum antibiotics Force feed if ulcers prevent cat from eating Oxygen therapy if cat is dyspneic Disinfect environment with bleach FVR FCV Both: Nasal and ocular discharge should be removed frequently for comfort of cat or saline nasal drops/nebulization may aid in removal of secretions.

Treatment Cont…. C felis Topical and systemic use of antibiotics

Prognosis Mortality is low except for kittens and seniors. Most cats will recover. Almost all cats that are infected with either FVR or FCV can remain carriers for months to years without any symptoms Carriers of FVR shed the virus through eye and nose secretions when stressed. Carriers of FCV shed the virus continually for years.

Prognosis Continued…. Carriers of C felis intermittently shed from oropharynx which usually stops in 2 months but can last for 7 months. Some cats never recover from the disease and continue to show symptoms for the rest of their lives. Cats that are vaccinated for FCV can contract the ”wild” strain of FCV from an infected cat – Wont show any symptoms – Become carriers of wild strain of FCV – Will continually shed the wild strain of FCV

Prognosis Chronic carries or virus-infected with virus with no symptoms

Pathologic Lesions fVR Reddened/swollen conjunctivae and nasal mucous membranes covered with a serous and purulent exudate Focal necrosis of these membranes may occur (severe cases) Larynx and trachea may be mildly inflammed Acidophilic intranuclear inclusion body FCV Ulceration of the oral mucosa Vesicles on tongue and hard palate become lesions Ulceration of median nasal septum (occasionally) Acute pulmonary edema (serious cases)

Pathologic Lesions Cont…. C felis Causative organism may be identified in Giemso- stained conjunctiva smears or scrapings. The elementary bodies are intracytoplasmic mycoplasmas occur as extracellular coccoid bodies. Often seen on the surface of conjunctival epithelial cells.

Prevention The best prevention is vaccination! FVR /FCV/C felis – MLV vaccine (parenterally) for kittens under 9 wks should be vaccinated twice, every 3-4wks until they are 12wks or older. – Oronasal vaccinations may cause sneezing for 4-7 days after inoculation – Adult cats should be vaccinated every1-3 yrs Control of environmental factors such as overcrowding, exposure to sick cats, and stress

Client Education FVR Highly contagious Vaccinated cats may show mild symptoms Transmittable by contact of hands or clothing Can improve appetite in sick cats by warming food or using an odoriferous type of food Disinfectants kill Feline Herpesvirus Type-1 Not zoonotic FCV Highly contagious Clinical signs can last 5- 7 days Oral ulcers can last 7-10 days Cats that salivate profusely can become dehydrated and need fluid therapy Force feeding may be necessary

Resources Common Diseases of the Companion Animals 2 nd Editon –Alleice Summers

References sp?cfile=htm/bc/ htm sp?cfile=htm/bc/ htm &aid= &aid=210 health/feline_viral_respiratory_disease_comple x-page2.htm health/feline_viral_respiratory_disease_comple x-page2.htm