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Pet parents sometimes wonder if vaccines are the best choice for their pets. Viruses affecting cats provide good reasons for vaccinations. One such example is feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis.
It can take less than 24 hours for a newly infected cat to spread the disease to other cats. FHV-1 is spread when a cat encounters virus particles that are shed through saliva, eyes, and nose of an infected cat. While cat-to-cat transmission can occur, clothing, furniture, and bowls can also be contaminated.
Knowing this, it's helpful to understand how long the virus can live outside the body in the environment. FHV-1 virus particles can be active for approximately 30 minutes. Objects can be a source of infection for up to 18 hours if they are moist or wet. Once the surfaces are dry, the virus loses and dies within a short period of time.
FHV-1 can appear as a “cold” or “allergies” such sneezing, nasal congestion, blinking and squinting. Possibly the most telltale signs are clear, yellow, or green pus emanating from the eyes or nose. Cats may also exhibit fatigue, poor appetite, and enlarged lymph nodes.
What can feline guardians do to manage FHV-1? When noticing notice any signs or symptoms, isolate the cat immediately from other cats and call a veterinarian.
All surfaces should be immediately disinfected. Soak all objects in a bleach and water solution for at least five minutes. If an item cannot be bleached, thoroughly washing in hot water and soap would be the next resort. Soft toys and blankets should be washed in hot water and laundry detergent. You may also want to use a furniture cleaner for upholstered furniture. Remember, the virus only survives on wet or moist surfaces, so companion pet parents may want to block access to these items from non-symptomatic cats for a day or two.
Finally, the best line of defense against FHV-1 is to vaccinate against it. This vaccine is written as FVRCP and after initial protection with a first dose, it is best to revaccinate every one to three years.
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