Feline rhinotracheitis is a kind of cat flu. Caused by a virus, the condition can leave the animal with weaker or intense symptoms. Although it is a fairly common disease among kittens, great care and attention is needed with the cold kitten, as the condition can worsen if proper care and treatment are not followed. Because it is a viral disease, it is alsoYou need to be even more cautious when you have more than one kitten at home to prevent the others from being infected too. We've put together everything you need to know about cat flu to understand what the disease is and to be able to take care of your cat with a cold or try to prevent it from being infected.

What is rhinotracheitis in cats?

Feline rhinotracheitis is a respiratory infection of the upper tract that affects domestic cats. Along with feline calicivirus and bacterial agents, it is part of the Feline Viral Respiratory Complex, an infectious disease caused by either Feline Herpesvirus 1 or Feline Calicivirus, although the former is the main cause of the disease. As with other herpes viruses, thistype is very species specific and is only known to cause infections in both domestic and feral cats.

The kitten is infected by direct contact with virus particles, which is spread in the saliva and secretions from the eyes and nose of a cat that is a symptomatic carrier. In addition, direct contact with infected objects can also transmit the disease, such as food bowls, litter boxes and toys. Once infected, the animal becomes a lifelong carrier of the virus, which can eitherIn very young kittens, the elderly and cats with chronic or immunosuppressive diseases such as FIV and FELV, the disease can develop severely and even be fatal.

Feline rhinotracheitis: symptoms are similar to those that characterize human flu

The symptoms of feline rhinotracheitis are similar to those of flu in humans and the severity will depend on the status of the infected kitty's immune system. Kittens and elderly cats - and those with other conditions - are typically more fragile and are likely to have stronger and more severe symptoms. The onset of feline viral rhinotracheitis is marked by:

• cat with fever
• frequent sneezing
• inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
• inflammation of the lining of the nose (rhinitis)
• excessive salivation

The fever may reach 40.5°C, but it decreases and then may come and go. Initially, the disease causes a clear discharge from the cat's nose and eyes, but it may increase in quantity and become greenish or yellowish mucus and pus. At this point, depression and loss of appetite become evident in the kitten, which becomes listless. Severely affected cats mayInflammation of the mouth with sores develops, and inflammation of the cornea also occurs in some cats and can lead to ulcers in the area. Other signs of the disease are loss of sense of smell, enlarged lymph nodes and difficulty breathing.

A cat with calicivirus may show other symptoms.

In the case of calicivirus infection, other symptoms may present.

Feline calicivirus most often affects the tissues of the mouth and lungs. There are many strains related to feline calicivirus. Some strains cause mouth sores, while others produce fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and feline pneumonia. It is often impossible to distinguish feline herpesvirus viral rhinotracheitis from feline calicivirus infection.

When sick, the kitten tends to be very weak, only wants to sleep, does not eat properly, coughs and sneezes a lot. Shortness of breath and fever are already symptoms that need a lot of attention. If you notice that your cat is having a lot of difficulty breathing or breathing with its mouth open, you need to take it to the vet as soon as possible. Symptoms can persist for 5 to 10 days in cases of sickness.When the cat is not treated immediately, weight loss can be severe.

How is rhinotracheitis diagnosed in cats?

The veterinarian's initial diagnosis is based on the typical symptoms of rhinotracheitis, described above, and an analysis of the animal's health history. These features can be difficult to distinguish when more than one infection is present. A definitive diagnosis is based on isolation and identification of the virus by laboratory tests and examination using the PCR technique,which is used to detect the DNA of the symptom-causing agent in samples of oral and nasal mucosa, nostrils or eye secretions. However, diagnosis of feline viral rhinotracheitis can be difficult because the virus is shed only periodically and because even cats without symptoms can show the presence of the virus.

How to prevent rhinotracheitis in cats?

The main way to prevent rhinotracheitis is to vaccinate your cat. Vaccines against herpesvirus and calicivirus are part of the recommended vaccination schedule for all kittens from 45 days of age. The vaccines that prevent the disease are V3 and V4, known as polyvalent vaccines. They are mandatory in the vaccination protocol. But it is important to note that the vaccine is not mandatory.The purpose of the vaccine is to prevent clinical complications of the disease, it reduces the chances of contamination by the viruses and development of the disease, but does not prevent the cat from being infected.

In addition to annual vaccinations, one of the ways to prevent rhinotracheitis is to prevent your cat from coming into contact with other infected felines by preventing it from having access to the street. Another way to prevent the disease is to keep your cat's immunity high. To do this, it is important to offer a balanced diet, rich in nutrients and vitamins, so that your feline keeps its immunity high. You tooyou can administer vitamin and mineral supplements to supplement the pet's nutrition, especially if it has a disease, but always with the recommendation of a veterinarian. Hydration is another crucial factor in maintaining the animal's immunity, so invest in cat water fountains around the house, to encourage the kitty to always hydrate.

Feline rhinotracheitis: treatment focuses on managing the symptoms of the disease

Treatment of feline rhinotracheitis is often directed at the symptoms of the disease, but broad-spectrum antibiotics are also helpful if kitty is also experiencing secondary bacterial infections. Antihistamines may be prescribed early in the disease to relieve nasal and eye congestion. Treatment with nebulization or saline nasal drops may be recommended to make thenasal lavage and help remove dry, thick secretions. Eye ointments containing antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent corneal irritation, which is caused by dry secretions from the eye.

If your kitten has corneal ulcers, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to treat the lesions. If your kitten is having a hard time breathing, you may need to put them on oxygen to improve their breathing. Depending on your kitten's health, you may need to keep them in the clinic to give them all the care and assistance they need. However, in the case ofMost of the time, the care provided at home by the veterinarian is enough.

How to care for a cat with the flu at home?

Home treatment for rhinotracheitis is basically following all the advice given by your vet, but there are a few things you can do to help your kitten recover.

Make the cat drink more water! Keeping the pet hydrated more often is essential in the treatment, as the lack of fluids in the body can worsen the condition. Homemade serum is also a solution: the way to prepare it is very simple, just mix 1 liter of mineral water, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 3 tablespoons of sugar and juice of 1/2 squeezed lemon. Remember to offer the serumIf your cat doesn't want to drink naturally from its bowl, you can use a syringe to administer the serum directly into its mouth.

Make sure the kitten is eating well! Keep an eye on the animal's appetite so that it receives all the essential nutrients. If you notice that the kitten is not wanting to eat the dry food, try offering more attractive options such as sachets and pâtés. In case it does not eat voluntarily, you can administer the food in a syringe and ensure that the kitten feeds itself. In extreme cases, where the feline does not drink water or feeds on food.no way, you need to take it to the vet urgently.

Keep your cat warm! It is also very important that you keep your pet warm with cat clothes or blankets that he can curl up in and sleep warm. Otherwise, let your pet rest well to recover his energy and clean his nose and eyes well with saline to prevent the discharge from drying out and causing discomfort.