Adopting a Cat with Feline Herpes

Have you considered adopting a cat, but are a little worried because they have feline herpes? This common condition in cats is manageable and doesn’t stop most cats from living long, happy lives. While it’s essential to understand the disease, provide the necessary care, and take appropriate precautions to keep other cats safe — feline herpes doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. Read on to explore what you need to know to keep your new friend feeling their best.

A variety of common diseases can affect pet cats, and feline herpes is one of them. There is no cure for feline herpes, but symptoms can be managed so that cats with feline herpes can still make wonderful pets.

What is feline herpes? 

Feline herpes, also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), is a common infection caused by feline herpesvirus type 1 (FeHV-1, FHV or FHV-1). This disease can cause lifelong challenges for infected cats and pose a risk to other felines.

This contagious disease results in a variety of upper respiratory symptoms that can cause issues in cats of all ages. Being well-versed in this disease will help you properly care for an infected cat and also help prevent other cats from becoming infected.

How do cats get feline herpes?

While some diseases can only be spread through a bite or scratch, feline herpes is spread much more easily through both direct contact and indirect contact with feline herpes virus particles. These particles can be found in the saliva as well as eye and nose discharge of an infected cat. Since it is believed that most (if not all cats) with feline herpes can become carrier cats, they most likely have the virus particles that can be spread, too. 

Even if an infected cat isn’t showing symptoms, these virus particles enter the environment and stick on food and water dishes, toys, and other surfaces. Here, the virus particles can come into contact with other cats and infect them. This means a cat does not need to come into direct contact with an infected cat to get feline herpes. However, indirect transmission is more likely if the particles have not dried out — so once the saliva, eye, or nose discharge dries on a surface, the virus may die off. Still, appropriate and thorough cleaning of these surfaces and items is recommended.

Types of feline herpes

There is only one type of feline herpes virus: feline herpes virus type 1. This virus is commonly abbreviated as FeHV-1, FHV, or FHV-1 and is also referred to as feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR). No matter which name you decide to call it, they are all a result of the same virus.

Feline herpes symptoms

Knowing which signs and symptoms to look out for is an important part of caring for a feline herpes-positive cat. Although feline herpes is a lifelong disease, it is possible to manage the symptoms of active infections and keep your cat comfortable. 

When initially infected, a cat will typically begin showing symptoms within two to five days, and these symptoms can last for a few weeks. Throughout the life of your cat, symptoms will recur when the chronic infection once again becomes active. These symptoms can be minor to severe:

• Sneezing

• Nasal discharge

• Congestion

• Open-mouth breathing

• Coughing

• Difficulty breathing

• Squinting

• Ocular discharge

• Corneal ulcers

• Lethargy

• Fever

• Decreased appetite

Respiratory symptoms 

Since the virus affects the nose and throat of your cat, feline herpes makes itself known through visible upper respiratory symptoms. The respiratory signs of feline herpes can include sneezing, nasal discharge, congestion, open-mouth breathing, and coughing. These symptoms can be minor, so sometimes pet parents don’t realize their cat has an active feline herpes infection. But they can also be so severe that your cat has difficulty breathing. You should seek immediately veterinary attention if your cat has trouble breathing or if your cat has any other health concerns.

Ocular symptoms (feline herpes eye)

Eye issues are commonly seen in cats with feline herpes infections. Squinting, ocular discharge that can be clear or thick, and conjunctivitis are all issues that can develop during an active feline-herpes infection. Extremely painful ulcerations of the eye called corneal ulcers are also often seen in cats with feline herpes.

Other potential signs and complications

Aside from respiratory and ocular symptoms, other indications of an active feline herpes infection may include swollen lymph nodes, which are difficult to see or feel. Additionally, your cat might become lethargic, develop a fever, or have a decreased appetite. The latter signs may occur due to other feline herpes symptoms causing a decrease in a cat’s ability to smell their food, and difficulty swallowing due to excessive coughing or enlarged lymph nodes. Or a cat may simply not feel well from the infection.

Secondary issues from feline herpes that are left untreated include a variety of complications such as bacterial infections, pneumonia, and even liver diseases. Thankfully with proper treatment, this disease can be managed, and your cat can live a happy, long life.

Feline herpes treatments

While there is no cure for feline herpes, it can be managed long-term. Treatment options will vary depending on the symptoms your cat is exhibiting.

Treatment of respiratory symptoms

If your cat is experiencing minor respiratory symptoms of feline herpes, they may only need regular nose-wiping. But if symptoms are severe, oxygen therapy and antibiotics may be prescribed by your veterinarian. Because symptoms will be recurring, your veterinarian may also recommend some home remedies for feline herpes, such as placing your cat in a steamy bathroom for 10 to 15 minutes to help clear congestion. If your cat has any difficulty breathing, you should seek immediate veterinary attention.

Treatment of ocular symptoms

Different types of eye drops and ointments may be prescribed for cats with ocular symptoms. Sometimes simple eye-wiping to remove discharge is needed, but if symptoms worsen or lead to more serious issues like conjunctivitis or corneal ulcers, prescription medications will be required.

Other treatments for feline herpes

Historically, an oral lysine supplement was recommended as an at-home feline herpes treatment, but this treatment is rarely used due to its ineffectiveness and concern for increasing the severity of the disease. However, there are vet-approved immune-support supplements along with various immunotherapy medications. Your veterinarian may discuss utilizing these and other options to support your cat’s immune system and decrease the severity of the infection — but there is no cure for feline herpes. 

Adopting a cat with feline herpes 

Cats with feline herpes can make wonderful companions but there are several factors to consider when adopting a cat with this chronic, but manageable, disease. Here are a few tips to consider before getting a cat.

Health considerations

Cats who are infected with feline herpes have a chronic illness. While symptoms may come and go, they can lead normal lives. Extra precautions should be taken to avoid spreading feline herpes to other cats, so be sure to thoroughly wash your hands and change your clothes to avoid spreading the virus to other cats. If you want to have more than one cat, two (or more) cats with feline herpes can live with each other. Otherwise, any cat with feline herpes should be the only cat in the household. That said, there are no health concerns surrounding infected cats living with other types of pets.

Care considerations

Since feline herpes causes a variety of symptoms, regular care to manage and treat these symptoms will be required throughout your cat’s entire life. Administering medications, wiping eyes and nostrils, ensuring your cat is eating well, and doing what you can to avoid stressing your cat or otherwise compromising their immune system are essential. Being aware of, and comfortable with, these factors is critical to providing your cat with the care they need. 

Financial considerations

A cat with feline herpes will most likely require more visits to the veterinarian. Pet insurance may not be available for your cat, since feline herpes is considered a pre-existing condition. So set aside some money each month to pay for future medications and vet visits. Additionally, since cats with feline herpes require a special (if smelly) canned cat food that hydrates them and encourages them to eat, you should budget for this type of food — and not less-expensive dry kibble.

If you’re ready to adopt, you can search Adopt a Pet for cats and filter based on criteria such as breed, age, color, and other qualities that are important to you.

Commonly asked questions

Is feline herpes contagious to other cats?

Feline herpes is unfortunately very contagious to other cats. The virus particles can live in the environment and infect other cats of any age if they ingest or inhale them, so even if cats don’t have direct contact with each other, the virus can spread. If you have a cat who does not have the feline herpes virus and bring an infected cat into your household, the uninfected cat will likely become infected, even if they are vaccinated for the disease. Vaccinating a cat for feline herpes won’t prevent infection, but it will decrease the severity of symptoms. Keeping your cat indoors can help stop the spread of the disease.

Can dogs get feline herpes?

Feline herpes does not spread to dogs, as this specific virus only affects cats and chinchillas. Some ailments can be transmitted from a cat to a dog, but feline herpes is not one of them. This means your dog is not at risk for contracting feline herpes and can cohabitate with your cat, as long as the pup does not stress out the cat. 

Is feline herpes contagious to humans?

Feline herpes does not spread to humans. Diseases that can be passed from an animal to a human are called zoonotic diseases and include rabies, ringworm, toxoplasmosis, scabies, among other ailments. Cats can carry some of these zoonotic diseases, so it’s always important to ensure your new cat is free of these ailments even if they don’t have feline herpes.

References

Cross-Species Transmission of Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) to Chinchillas

Feline Herpesvirus (NIH)

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis

Herpesvirus Infection in Cats (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis)

Lysine Supplementation Is Not Effective for the Prevention or Treatment of Feline Herpesvirus 1 Infection in Cats