- NASAL DISCHARGE
- RUNNY EYES
- ORAL OR NASAL ULCERS
- HOARSE VOICE
- OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF
Despite the highly contagious nature of all the feline upper
- NASAL DISCHARGE
- RUNNY EYES
- ORAL OR NASAL ULCERS
- HOARSE VOICE
- OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF
Despite the highly contagious nature of all the feline upper respiratory agents, it is important to realize that most cats are at very small risk for exposure. In other words, in order to get this kind of infection, a cat must be in the same home as an infected cat or share the same human caretaker, toys or food bowls. Typically infected cats come from the shelter, are outdoor cats, or are housed in close contact with lots of other cats (experiencing crowding stress). Persian cats are predisposed to upper respiratory infection due to their inherent facial flattening. The average house cat who is not exposed to any rescued kittens, lives with only one or two other cats at most, and never goes outside is unlikely break with infection. Kittens are predisposed due to their immature immune systems and are usually hit the hardest.
The chief infectious agents that cause feline upper respiratory infections are: herpesvirus and calicivirus, together accounting for about 90% of infections. Other