How long does it take for a cat to recover from calicivirus?
Most cats will recover from FCV in 7-10 days. But they can become carriers and shed virus from oral and nasal secretions long term. Cats that become chronic carriers may develop oral inflammation (gingivitis/stomatitis) and be at increased risk for growths in the nose, mouth, or ear (nasopharyngeal or aural polyps).
How long do cats with calicivirus live?
Inhalation of sneeze droplets. Sharing or food bowls and litter trays. A contaminated environment (including bedding and grooming aids) – FCV can potentially survive up to a month in the environment, although probably often does not survive more than 7-14 days.
What is the best antibiotic for calicivirus?
Although viral infections do not respond to antibacterial drugs, broad spectrum antibacterial drugs (e.g., amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination, brand name Clavamox®) may be prescribed in an effort to prevent secondary bacterial infections from complicating the disease, particularly in kittens.
Can a cat recover from calicivirus?
Feline calicivirus is a highly contagious virus that causes a mild to severe respiratory infection and oral disease in cats. It is especially common in shelters and breeding colonies, and often infects young cats. Most cats recover completely after a calicivirus infection, but rare strains can be especially deadly.
Is calicivirus permanent?
There is no cure for feline calicivirus, nor is there a specific treatment for this common disease. However, supportive treatment can help keep your cat more comfortable while it recovers, as well as prevent secondary bacterial infections, such as pneumonia.
What do vets give cats for upper respiratory infection?
Treating Upper Respiratory Infections in Cats. Thankfully, many times URI cases have generally mild signs that will resolve on their own over time (much like if you caught the common cold). However, if your cat has colored eye or nasal discharge, your vet may prescribe antibiotics, either orally or in a topical eye.
What is the best antibiotic for upper respiratory infection in cats?
Doxycycline is an inexpensive and effective antibiotic for treating feline URI-- but wait there's more! In addition to the cost-saving benefits, Doxycycline has also been proven to be the most effective treatment for URI when compared to Clavamox.
How can I treat my cats mouth infection at home?
If your cat is suffering from stomatitis, then either switch to a soft canned food or moisten your cat's dry food with water, so it forms a mash. Some cats may even find it difficult to eat canned food; in this case, you may have to puree canned food until their gums heal.
Can calicivirus in cats be cured?
The mortality rate from feline calicivirus infection is low, but unfortunately, the disease is fatal in some individual cases. Most cats do make a...
What kills calicivirus?
There is no effective drug that kills calicivirus in the living body. The virus can be difficult to kill in the environment too, surviving for up t...
Is calicivirus deadly?
While most cats recover from Calicivirus infection, it can be fatal, especially in animals with poorer immune systems, such as kittens or immunocom...
Cause
Symptoms and Complications
- A cat’s symptoms will depend on the strain of FCV it contracts. At first the cat will have symptoms that look like a cold, with sneezing, nasal congestion, fever and sometimes drooling. Large amounts of discharge can come from the eyes and nose. In more severe cases, cats can also develop inflammation and ulcers on the tongue, and the lining of the mouth. Lethargy, mild lame…
Tests and Diagnosis
- How will my vet diagnose calicivirus?
Pet owners should always bring their cat to see the veterinarian if it shows signs of respiratory disease. FCV causes about half of the respiratory infections that occur in cats, but feline alphaherpesvirus1 (sometimes called feline rhinotracheitis virus) is another common cause and …
Treatment
- What are the treatment options for cats with calicivirus?
Currently there is no treatment to stop the virus, but pet owners can offer supportive care for their cat while its immune system fights the infection. Most cats can recover at home, but severely affected cats may need intensive nursing care. Keep the nose and eyes of the cat clean and use …
Prevention
- How do I vaccinate my pet against calicivirus?
Vaccines do not protect against FCV entirely, but they can greatly reduce the severity of the infection if your cat is exposed. Several combination vaccines against FCV, feline herpesvirus type 1 and feline panleukopenia virus (the cause of feline distemper) are available, which can be give… - How else can I help prevent the disease?
If you have multiple cats and one or more are being treated for FCV, then you should quarantine the infected animals and clean food and water bowls, the litter box and other items that may be contaminated with the virus. A dilute bleach solution made up of one half cup of bleach per gallo…
Additional Resources
- For veterinarians, the Merck Veterinary Manual provides information on calicivirus and other feline respiratory infections. The American Association of Feline Practitioners publishes a detailed fact sheetfrom their advisory panel.
Baker Institute and Calicivirus
- Dr. John S.L. Parker, associate professor of virology at the Baker Institute for Animal Health has worked with calicivirus for 15 years. He wants to know why some cats experience a short flu-like illness, while others develop a chronic gingivitis or the more severe life-threatening form of the disease. Parker’s research group has investigated different strains of the virus that cause outbre…
Other animals
Prevention
- Vaccination against the calicivirus is strongly advised. This infection can occur in cats of any age, but young kittens older than six weeks have been found to be most susceptible. Lack of vaccination or improper vaccination is thought to be an important risk factor, as well as lowered immune response due to pre-existing infections or diseases. Whi...
Cause
- Cats typically acquire feline calicivirus (FCV) after coming into contact with other infected cats, such as in a cattery, boarding facility or shelter. But because FCV disinfectants are not very effective against FCV, the virus may persist in the environment, which means that cats may come into contact with it without known exposure to other cats.
Diagnosis
- You will need to give your veterinarian a thorough history of your cat's health, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents or conditions that might have led to their current illness. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam to evaluate all body systems along with the overall health of your cat. Depending on the conclusions of the physical exam, your veterinarian may recomme…
Treatment
- Your cat will need to be hospitalized for intensive care and treatment if it has developed pneumonia, is experiencing severe life-threatening hemorrhages, or is not eating and drinking. Oxygen will be given if your cat is unable to breathe comfortably due to pneumonia. Ophthalmic antibiotics are prescribed for use in the affected eyes, and veterinary prescription pain medicatio…
Diet
- Your veterinarian will recommend a cat food diet made up of highly nutritious and easily digestible foods, to be given at regular intervals so as to maintain a positive energy balance and to prevent malnutrition. If your cat is suffering from oral ulcers, it will need to be given soft foods.
Prognosis
- Your cat's overall prognosis depends on the severity of the symptoms. Cats with uncomplicated cases of pneumonia, for example, typically recover within three to four days. However, severe pneumonia may be life-threatening. Oral ulcers and arthritis symptoms, on the other hand, generally resolve without complications.