🐾 Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)
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🐾 Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection in cats caused by Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1).
It mainly affects:
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The nose
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Sinuses
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Throat
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Eyes
It’s one of the most common causes of “cat colds.”
🧠 What’s Actually Happening?
When a cat is infected:
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The virus attacks the lining of the nose and throat
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Inflammation develops
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Thick nasal discharge forms
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Eye irritation occurs
The virus can also become latent, meaning:
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It hides in nerve tissue
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It can reactivate during stress
Once infected, many cats carry it for life.
⚠️ How It Spreads
FVR spreads through:
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Direct contact with infected cats
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Sneezing droplets
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Shared food bowls
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Litter boxes
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Human hands or clothing
It spreads quickly in:
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Shelters
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Multi-cat households
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Breeding facilities
🔍 Symptoms
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Sneezing
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Runny nose
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Eye discharge
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Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
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Fever
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Loss of appetite
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Lethargy
In severe cases:
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Corneal ulcers
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Difficulty breathing
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Pneumonia (rare but possible)
Kittens and elderly cats are most at risk.
🧪 How It’s Diagnosed
Usually based on:
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Clinical signs
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Physical exam
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History of exposure
Lab tests (PCR) can confirm in certain cases.
🛠 Treatment
There is no cure for the virus, but symptoms can be managed:
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Supportive care
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Fluids
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Appetite stimulants
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Antibiotics (for secondary bacterial infections)
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Antiviral medications (in some cases)
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Eye treatments
Most healthy adult cats recover in 1–2 weeks.
💉 Prevention
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Core FVRCP vaccine
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Isolating sick cats
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Good hygiene
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Reducing stress
Vaccination doesn’t prevent all infections — but it reduces severity.
💥 Bottom Line
FVR is:
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A contagious viral respiratory infection in cats
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Often mild in healthy adults
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Potentially serious in kittens or stressed cats
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Manageable with proper veterinary care
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