The term "cat flu" or "cat flu complex" refers to all infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract and mucous membranes of cats, with the nose, mouth, and eyes being affected in most cases. Since the interaction of various factors leads to the onset of symptoms, this is referred to as a multifactorial disease. Cats that live in shelters, breeding facilities, multi-cat households, or under very poor hygienic conditions are particularly susceptible to cat flu.
The triggers of cat flu include various viruses, bacteria, and fungi, which promote each other and can therefore occur simultaneously. A distinction is made between primary pathogens, which can cause the disease alone and independently, and (bacterial) secondary pathogens. The main pathogens are the feline herpesvirus and the feline calicivirus, although some bacteria (chlamydia, mycoplasma, and bordetella) and other non-specific viruses are also considered primary pathogens.
Herpesviruses occur in almost all animal species. In cats, they are one of the most common causes of cat flu, alongside caliciviruses.
The herpesvirus is transmitted through direct contact or via contaminated objects and contact persons, with young animals being mainly affected. However, the virus is not very stable outside the organism and is infectious for a maximum of 24 hours. The first symptoms may appear two days after infection. The main symptoms are respiratory symptoms such as nasal discharge in combination with conjunctivitis with severe eye discharge and corneal damage. These are accompanied by fever, loss of appetite, and sneezing. In pregnant cats, the infection can lead to abortion. Herpes viruses are very sensitive to temperature, which is why they cannot multiply above 37°C and therefore do not cause viremia (=spread of the virus via the bloodstream).
Once infected, animals remain carriers of the virus for life, whereby the virus retreats into the nerve cells and can be reactivated by certain factors such as stress or immune deficiency.
Caliciviruses, along with herpesviruses, are among the most common causes of cat flu. Here too, transmission occurs through direct contact with an infected animal. However, there are many different strains of the virus, which vary in aggressiveness and therefore lead to symptoms of varying severity and variability.
In contrast to the herpes virus, a calicivirus infection leads to viraemia after infection and virus replication, resulting in the spread of the virus throughout the body. The lungs and tongue mucosa are particularly susceptible. During the viraemia phase, the main symptoms are therefore nasal and eye discharge, fever and fatigue. Typical ulcerative changes in the gums and oral cavity are also characteristic, often exacerbated by secondary bacterial infections. Some calici strains also lead to joint and muscle diseases.
Chlamydia are bacteria that occur worldwide and are also transmitted through direct contact. As part of the cat flu complex, they cause conjunctivitis with sometimes purulent eye discharge, particularly in kittens aged five to twelve weeks.
These very small bacterial pathogens are detected in conjunctivitis and nasal mucosal inflammation in cats. However, they occur much less frequently than the main pathogens. It is still unclear whether mycoplasmas are primary or secondary pathogens.
These bacteria can cause primary or secondary upper respiratory tract diseases and also pneumonia. Large groups of cats in animal shelters and breeding facilities that live in cramped conditions are particularly at risk. Poor housing conditions and stress can promote infection. Typical symptoms include swelling of the lymph nodes in the lower jaw, loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing, eye and nasal discharge, fatigue, and fever.
As Bordetella bacteria are zoonotic pathogens (=transmissible to humans), strict hygiene measures must be observed when handling infected cats.
If you notice one or more of the above symptoms in your cat, please consult your veterinarian, even if the symptoms do not seem particularly serious at first. Your cat can then be examined immediately and treated accordingly. This will prevent the condition from worsening or even becoming a chronic respiratory problem.
In acute cases, your veterinarian will usually see a very clear clinical picture of feline rhinitis. In most cases, a diagnosis can be made based on your preliminary report and a general examination. However, the individual pathogens can only be detected with the help of further laboratory tests.
To do this, your veterinarian will take swab samples from the nose, eyes, or throat. These are examined in the laboratory for herpes and caliciviruses as well as bacteria. In order to be able to treat secondary bacterial infections in a targeted manner, it is also advisable to perform a laboratory test to determine the sensitivity of the individual bacteria to antibiotics, known as an antibiogram.
Viral infections can only be treated symptomatically. Bacterial infections are treated with appropriate antibiotics depending on the pathogen detected. Depending on the severity and course of the disease, your veterinarian may also prescribe mucolytics, cough suppressants, painkillers, or anti-inflammatory drugs.
For you as the owner of a sick cat, this usually means long and intensive treatment and strict hygiene measures. During this time, your cat should be able to recover in a clean, warm, well-ventilated, and stress-free environment.
If a sick cat is treated early enough, there is a good chance of a complete recovery. Older cats usually recover faster than young animals. However, in very young kittens or cats with a weakened immune system, cat flu can also take a severe course. In some cases, it can lead to damage to the eyes or chronic sniffles, or in the worst case, even death.
Vaccination against the viral pathogens that cause feline rhinitis (herpes and caliciviruses) is recommended as a "core component" by the Standing Vaccination Commission for Veterinary Medicine (StiKo Vet), a committee of veterinary experts. This means that every cat should be protected against these viruses at all times. Depending on the vaccine, the first vaccination can be given at eight or nine weeks of age, followed by a second vaccination three to four weeks later.
Vaccines are also available against the bacterial pathogens that cause cat flu (Bordetella and Chlamydia). Although these vaccines do not prevent infection, they can significantly reduce the severity of the disease. These vaccinations are recommended for cats that have a lot of contact with other cats, for example in boarding kennels, animal shelters, or cat breeding facilities. Vaccination against Bordetella is possible from four weeks of age and should be given at least one week before frequent contact with other cats. The vaccine is administered intranasally. Chlamydiosis can be vaccinated against using various combination vaccines. All vaccinations against cat flu provide protection for one year.
Your veterinarian can send you a personalized vaccination schedule for your cat via petsXL. You will then automatically receive notifications when it is time to make an appointment.
Piroplasmosis, also known as babesiosis, is a parasitic infection transmitted by ticks that is particularly prevalent in warm climates. Horses, dogs, and humans are all susceptible to this infection. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial infectious disease transmitted by ticks. It was named after its discoverer, the German physician Paul Ehrlich. The disease, also known as tick fever, is endemic in the tropics and subtropics, but also in the Mediterranean region. It is therefore important to be aware of it when traveling to southern destinations. Ehrlichiosis became known during the Vietnam War, when several German shepherd dogs belonging to American soldiers fell ill and died. German shepherds, Dobermans, and huskies are still particularly susceptible to this disease.
The word acupuncture comes from Latin and is composed of the words for "needle" and "prick." Classical acupuncture is one of the oldest therapeutic methods in traditional Chinese medicine and has also been practiced on animals in Europe since the beginning of the 18th century. It belongs to the field of complementary medicine, which means that it supplements the treatment methods of conventional medicine.
There are also "bleeders" among animals: animals with blood clotting disorders. These are either congenital or caused by another underlying disease. They are rare in animals, but can quickly become life-threatening in the event of major injuries.
Lyme disease is a globally widespread infectious disease transmitted by ticks that can affect both humans and our pets, especially dogs but also horses. Even though the disease is very rare in horses, Lyme disease should always be considered in cases of long-standing lameness, neck pain, or coordination disorders with no clear cause.
It's good that our dogs need to go outside regularly! This gives us the opportunity to take a break from our everyday routine of work, household chores, and everything else, to get some fresh air, relax, and do something for our bodies. Your dog can also be your exercise partner! There are various sports that are suitable for this. Make sure that you adapt the activity and level of exertion to your dog's breed, age, and health. It is also important that you do not overtax your dog and adapt the training to the circumstances. For example, a jog in the summer can push him to his physical limits, but you may not even notice because he is faithfully following you. Unfortunately, this can also have fatal consequences for your four-legged friend. So always be mindful—towards yourself and your faithful companion.
It can occur suddenly or develop slowly and almost unnoticed. The horse seems to be stiff, and riding together is no longer enjoyable. What is going on?
With age, signs of wear and tear become noticeable in the body, even in our horses. Good care, adequate nutrition, and appropriate training are the best prerequisites for a long, healthy horse life. It is always important to remain attentive in order to quickly notice small changes and take action.
You drive to the stable in high spirits and lead your horse out of the pasture full of enthusiasm. But as soon as you start walking it to the grooming area, you notice that something is wrong. The familiar sound of hooves on the ground sounds somehow different. When you lunge your horse, it becomes clear: your horse is lame!
Especially during the cold and wet season, dogs can also suffer from painful inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) and the entire lower urinary tract. The causes and symptoms are similar to those of bladder infections in humans. Is your dog urinating more frequently than usual and in pain when doing so, or has it even accidentally urinated in the house even though it has been house-trained for a long time? Then your dog may be suffering from a bladder infection, which should be treated by a veterinarian.
Every dog owner is very alarmed when their previously fit dog suddenly starts limping for no apparent reason. It can happen to anyone, whether your dog is athletic or laid-back. It is important to take a closer look: fortunately, the causes are often harmless and can be treated quickly.
Sometimes a violent coughing fit comes on completely unexpectedly and frightens us as much as it does our dog. Whether it's a dry "barking" cough, a mucus-filled retching or a wheezing sound, coughing can manifest itself in many different ways. It's important to investigate the cause so that we can help our dog quickly.
