Taco Belle Times: "Tails" of a Baby Boomer Veterinarian: SNEEZING CATS: HERPES VIRUS INFECTIONS

I am back from Kanas City to see the son of a Kernersville friend win with his horse at the American Royal Horse Show. In addition, I saw a parade horse class similar to that seen in the Tournament of Roses Parade, traveled to see President Harry Truman’s home place & library,

witnessed a Sicilian donkey race,

and had a private tour of one-hundred-year old mansion decorated by the same group out of NYC that did the Vanderbilt mansions. As a side trip I went to see a Museum of Natural History touring exhibit on the horse at the Prairie Fire Museum in Overland Park, Kansas

and visit a coffee roaster that had a DC-3 as their symbol on the top of the building.

All were very cool stuff!

My only complaint was the dry air caused a lot of sinus irritation and nose bleeds. It took several days to return to normal. Unfortunately, many of my kitty patients do not have such short courses of sinus discharge and sneezing.

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT IN NEWLY OBTAINED CATS OR KITTENS FROM RESCUE GROUPS, HUMANE SOCIETIES, FERAL COLONIES, OR OTHER FACILITIES INHABITED BY LARGE NUMBERS OF CATS?

Discomfort associated with crusty/snotty noses and weepy/red eyes. These problems are commonly ASSOCIATED with viral Herpes upper respiratory infections(URI). Often they develop secondary opportunistic bacterial infections. Herpes viruses are mainly life threatening in weak kittens that stop eating or develop secondary pneumonia. Other signs may include any combination of the following.

• Sneezing “attacks”

• Eye ulcers

• Fever (NORMAL IS 101 TO 102.8F)

• Loss of appetite (loss of sense of smell)

• Drooling

• Squinting

HOW DOES HERPES VIRUS INFECT CATS?

The virus invades the nose, eyes, sinus, throat, mouth and tonsils of a cat which causes inflammation and fever. This is life threatening in kittens.

ARE FELINE HERPES VIRUS CONTAGIOUS TO OTHER CATS? PEOPLE? DOGS?

Yes, they are highly contagious (shared litter boxes, grooming), so it is always wise to isolate a cat under treatment, and to feed and water your sick kitty separately in multi-cat households. Even with careful isolation, because the stress factor (ex. Neutering), relapses are common. These problems usually resolve within a few weeks of good care but some cases linger and continue to shed for months.

It is not contagious to humans and dogs.

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

Most commonly by signs as viral isolation is reserved for more persistent cases.

DO VACCINES PREVENT THE VIRAL HERPES INFECTION?

There are vaccines, however, most kittens are already infected with the herpes (rhinotracheitis) before they leave their mothers. Immunizations do not prevent infection, rather they lower the severity of the infection.

ARE SOME CATS PERMANENTLY INFECTED AND PERSISTENT SHEDDERS OF THE HERPES VIRUS?

Yes, once infected, the virus remains in a cat’s body for the rest of their life.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON TREATMENTS?

Supportive care as there are no cures for viruses, only the secondary bacterial infections. Some will remain infected the remainder of their lives. Treatment of the eye infections with topical medications is critical, especially if painful corneal eye ulcers (herpetic ulcers). Flare ups of herpes virus can return with the stress of boarding, changes in the house routine, and other illnesses. Here are some additional approaches to care:

• Keeping the nostrils and eyes clear of discharges. Use cotton balls dipped in warm water to wipe away any discharge.

• Antibiotics may be prescribed, but these are ineffective against the herpes virus, but may be used to treat secondary infections that can occur.

• Antiviral drugs: Famcyclovir, anti-nausea drugs: Cerenia

• Ensuring the cat is receiving food and liquid intake. Force feeding, IV fluids or sub cutaneous fluids if necessary.

• L-Lysine is an essential amino acid which has been shown to suppress viral replication.

• Intranasal vaccine 2 to 3 times a year

• Human alpha 2b interferon

• Probiotics

• Zyrtec once a day as an anti-histamine

Dr. Betsy T. Sigmon, Diplomate American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Canine & Feline

Creature Comforts Animal Hospital

Cary, NC

Many thanks for the kind works, and many purchases of the new children’s book, CHA CHA Chacobelle and the Canine Conga. Let me know if you would like me to do a reading at your elementary school or library.

I have learned in the presentation last Thursday at West Lake Elementary School that when you imply that every child has a gift, do not be surprised if the ask “where is our present” at the end of the reading. I think next time I will substitute the word “talent” for gift.