This is unfortunately a common and highly contagious condition in our cats, and it should not be taken lightly. If you think your little companion is ill, it is imperative to take them to the veterinarian, as only they can examine the cat and make a diagnosis.
What is cat coryza?
Cat coryza is an upper respiratory tract condition. It is caused by the infection, either simultaneously or not, of various pathogens, viruses, and bacteria. These may include Feline Herpesvirus type 1 (FHV), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), Reovirus, and the following bacteria: Chlamydophila Felis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Mycoplasma, Staphylococcus, Escherichia.
Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is a virus that targets the cells lining the respiratory and digestive tracts. It undergoes many mutations, which then lead to the creation of strains with varying levels of virulence. FCV alone can cause a mild coryza, resulting in stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth lining) and nasal discharge.
Feline Herpesvirus type 1 (FHV) is the virus responsible for feline infectious rhinotracheitis. It particularly affects the tissue made up of cells lining the respiratory and ocular systems. A unique feature of FHV: it persists in nerve ganglia and may reappear during the cat's lifetime. Stress or immunodeficiency, for example, can trigger the virus's reactivation.
Reovirus is a pathogen that is relatively less important than FCV and FHV. It alone causes a coryza with ocular and respiratory involvement.
Chlamydophila felis is a bacterium that mainly causes conjunctivitis and damage to the nasal mucosa.
The other bacteria mentioned above, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Mycoplasma, Staphylococcus, Escherichia, can be present, particularly in the case of a secondary infection.
Transmission of coryza
In cats, the transmission of coryza occurs through direct or indirect contact. As mentioned earlier, it is a highly contagious and resilient virus.
There are risk factors to be aware of: cats subjected to stressful situations (moving, arrival of a new pet, etc.) are more likely to be infected. Cats at risk also include those living in breeding facilities and shelters, kittens aged 2 to 12 weeks, and cats with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
Symptoms of coryza:
The bacteria and viruses responsible for coryza will generate different effects and symptoms. In a cat suffering from coryza, you may notice:
- Respiratory issues caused either by feline herpesvirus or feline calicivirus.
- Sneezing (cat sneezing)
- Rhinorrhea (runny nose), caused by feline herpesvirus.
- Ocular issues, conjunctivitis (red eyes) with serous (non-clear) and purulent discharge. Ocular lesions can be more severe, such as corneal ulcers.
- Ulcers of the tongue and palate, caused by feline calicivirus.
- Chronic stomatitis and gingivitis, also caused by calicivirus.
- Anosmia (loss of smell) and ulcers caused by coryza can lead to loss of appetite or difficulty eating, sometimes leading to anorexia.
More severe, hypervirulent forms are also possible with fever, edema, and jaundice. In this form, mortality can reach up to 67%.
How is it treated?
Only a veterinarian can prescribe treatment after making a diagnosis and guide you on what steps to take. If your cat is suffering from coryza, they will need what is called comfort care as well as treatments tailored to the symptoms.
Depending on the case, this may involve ocular care, oral care, and comfort care. Comfort care is essential in managing coryza, especially cleaning secretions, inhalations, and nutrition. Nutrition is an important point not to neglect, particularly if your cat has oral lesions, loss of smell, or fever. You should consider offering your cat an appealing diet, which you can blend or slightly warm up. If your cat refuses to eat, the veterinarian may consider placing a feeding tube (through the digestive tract).
It is also important to confine your little companion to avoid contamination with other cats.
Once comfort care is in place, antiviral treatment may be introduced. For more severe cases, the administration of antibiotics for 8 to 10 days is highly recommended. Please note, that currently, there is no treatment that can completely eliminate the viruses responsible for coryza from the body.
Coryza is a frustrating condition both for the cat's family and for veterinarians. Several factors contribute to this: the many causes of chronic coryza, its incurable nature, its chronicity, the difficulty families face in administering treatment to their cats, and the possible presence of multiple cats in the household.
My cat doesn't go outside, is it still useful to vaccinate against coryza?
Prevention against coryza is entirely possible through vaccination. It is advised to vaccinate your cat, even if they do not go outside, at least against feline panleukopenia and coryza. These two viruses are particularly resilient and can be indirectly brought into your home (via shoes, bags, clothes, etc.).
Coryza vaccines all contain at least one strain (the part of the vaccine that corresponds to protection against a single pathogen) against feline herpesvirus and one strain against feline calicivirus. The latter is also a particularly resilient virus in the environment and can be indirectly brought into contact with your cat, even if your cat does not interact with other cats.
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