How to Treat Feline Rhinotracheitis

Feline rhinotracheitis is a respiratory disease caused by infection with the feline herpesvirus. Cats can be infected by coming into contact with infected animals or their respiratory and digestive secretions. Symptoms of the disease include coughing, runny nose, purulent discharge from the eyes and nose, sneezing, increased body temperature, and loss of appetite. The treatment principles mainly involve anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs, and symptomatic treatment. Vaccination can be given to prevent the disease.

Causes of Feline Rhinotracheitis

Feline rhinotracheitis is a upper respiratory disease caused by feline herpesvirus 1 infection, mainly affecting young cats, with a mortality rate of 50%. The virus is mainly secreted from the eyes, nose, and pharynx of infected cats, and transmitted through contact or droplets. Once cats carrying the virus develop other diseases or their resistance decreases, the virus is likely to invade the body and cause disease.

Symptoms of Feline Rhinotracheitis

In the early stage, cats may only show symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and loss of appetite, without a fever. In the later stage, cats will have a fever, accompanied by watery eyes, purulent nasal discharge, and a large amount of secretions blocking the eyes and nostrils, causing respiratory obstruction, making it difficult for the cat to breathe or even open its mouth to breathe. If the above symptoms are present, it is highly likely that the cat has feline rhinotracheitis. Therefore, owners should take measures when cats show symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose to avoid exacerbating the disease.

Treatment Tips for Feline Rhinotracheitis

The most important treatment drug is specifically formulated lysine for cats, as cats cannot synthesize lysine in their bodies and need to supplement it from the outside to resist the virus. The rest of the drugs are used in conjunction with symptomatic treatment. In addition, owners need to pay attention to cats' daily warmth and health care, promptly supplement nutrients, and feed cats with goat's milk or nutritional meals as needed.