| Feline rhinotracheitis is an upper respiratory infection | | | | corneal ulcers, and a fever. |
| caused by a virus. This virus is highly contagious, but | | | | Treatment |
| usually only causes mild symptoms in mature cats. | | | | To keep your cat from getting a secondary bacterial |
| However, this disease can be fatal to kittens if they | | | | infection, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics. |
| develop pneumonia. | | | | Feline rhinotracheitis usually goes away on its own |
| Transmission | | | | within ten days, so no other medications may be |
| As mentioned earlier, the virus that causes | | | | necessary. However, you may be able to give your |
| rhinotracheitis in cats is very contagious. It can be | | | | cat nasal drops to decrease the amount of discharge |
| transmitted to your cat if he comes into contact | | | | from the nose. |
| with contaminated cages, food dishes, or litter boxes. | | | | You will need to make sure your cat is consuming |
| Also, cats can become infected if they come into | | | | enough food and fluids. If not, he may need to have |
| contact with discharge from an infected cat's eyes, | | | | a feeding tube. You should also make sure to |
| nose, or mouth. As the owner, you also have to be | | | | minimize your cat's stress and keep him indoors. The |
| careful as you can harbor the virus on your hands or | | | | room should be warm and have plenty of ventilation. |
| clothing. | | | | You should also try to have a humidifier in the room. |
| Symptoms | | | | |
| Cats affected with feline rhinotracheitis show | | | | Prognosis |
| common symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. | | | | If affected by feline rhinotracheitis, your cat should |
| This includes sneezing, coughing, and discharge from | | | | fully recover within ten days. If he develops a |
| the nose. Some cats also get secondary bacterial | | | | secondary bacterial infection, recovery may take a |
| infections that can prolong the disease. Other | | | | little longer. In some cases, this condition causes the |
| symptoms that may develop include loss of appetite, | | | | cat to suffer chronic nasal discharge and sneezing. |