FELINE VIRAL RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX (FVRDC), aka ‘‘FELINE INFLUENZA’’

GENERAL COMMENTS

Ailments associated with the respiratory tract are pretty common, and understandably so. The upper respiratory passages contain a lot of bacteria and other infectious agents. With every breath of air arrives a new horde of germs. Many of these germs will reside in the nasal passages and in the other organs leading to the lungs. It is not surprising, therefore, that the linings of these organs can, in the first instance, submit to the invasion of germs. The mucus membranes can be compromised in their integrity, thus paving the way for serious viral attack.
Of course, the bacteria and viruses (and even fungi) can continue living in these mucosal linings (of the throat, windpipe, lungs and nasal passages) even while the animal is recovering (reconvalescing) from the FVRDC disease. In fact, sometimes the animals would have a relapse, if certain stress conditions emerge.
We will deal specifically with the complex of viral diseases which result in respiratory distress (and even death). These viral diseases are highly contagious, and make cats fall very ill. In one household, every cat can be contaminated from the one sick cat that first contracted the disease.
It is interesting to note that young and adult (and even elderly) cats can succumb to the causative agents of this respiratory disease complex. However, our own empirical observation and experience underline the fact that young cats contract ‘Feline Influenza’ (colloquially known as “Cat Flu”) much more often than adult and old cats.
Please note that although I am calling this problem Feline Influenza, it really has nothing to do with the true influenza viruses. The main culprits associated with ‘FI’ are:
(1)the Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus (FRV), which belongs to the HERPES virus group (but which has nothing to do with the HERPES infection) in humans, and (2) the Feline Calici Virus (FCV).
The names of these viruses may be as meaningless to you as they are unimportant to me. For, as you will see, the symptomology and treatment are very similar. (The publication of these valueless tongue-twisting disease terminologies is therefore only done to impress you with my erudition).
Generally speaking, the FVRDC would incorporate ailments which have the following common symptoms: sneezing, increased lachrymation (tears), increased salivation and high fevers.
As the first paragraph would suggest, the natural transmission of the infectious viruses is via aerosol droplets, especially when infected animals sneeze.
The FRV and the FCV in fact affect only cats, and will not make humans ill.
Next week, we’ll deal with the specifics of “Feline Influenza”.
HAPPY EASTER!!