Feline herpes is an acute infectious disease that affects the upper respiratory tract. If an animal develops symptoms of herpes, it needs to be treated urgently to avoid serious health complications.
Signs of herpes
Usually the viral pathogen of herpes is located on the mucous membrane of the tonsils and nasopharynx, but sometimes it can focus on the tongue or conjunctiva. Infection occurs through direct contact of a cat with a carrier of the virus. The incubation period of the causative agent of herpes is from 2 to 6 days, in the body it can be from 1 to 3 weeks. The clinical picture of herpes in cats is a profuse discharge from the eyes from the nose, as well as keratitis, sneezing and the appearance of sores on the tongue. Feline herpes often manifests itself as blistering on the lips.
A laboratory study of the discharge of a cat with herpes can detect the virus already a day after infection.
The first symptoms of herpes usually appear after 10-20 days. Due to herpes sores and necrosis on the mucous membrane of the tongue, the cat can bring other infections into the body that will lead to the development of stomatitis or gingivitis. In the case of a secondary bacterial infection, these symptoms are complemented by bronchopneumonia and cough. The animal becomes lethargic, loses its appetite, its activity is minimized, and the body temperature rises.
Herpes treatment
If herpes is treated in a timely manner, it is quite easy to get rid of it. In rare cases, with a very weakened immunity or in childhood, the animal may even die. The cause of death can be bronchopneumonia against the background of an attached bacterial infection or severe dehydration. To treat herpes, the first step is to protect the cornea. For this, such ointments with antiviral effect are used, such as "Acyclovir" or "Tetracycline", which are placed under the lower eyelid 5-6 times a day.
It is necessary to protect the eyes so that viral damage does not lead to an inflammatory process, which will eventually turn into panophthalmitis.
To suppress the development of a secondary infection and prevent inflammation that occurs in the upper respiratory tract, the veterinarian will prescribe antibacterial drugs like Tylosin and the same Tetracycline. In addition to antibiotics, the cat will have to take a course of immunomodulatory medications and possibly intravenous saline solutions. The affected surface of the mouth and nose will also need to be treated with antibacterial drugs. Vaccination has proven itself as a prophylactic against herpes.
