Calicivirus is a highly contagious disease of cats and can cause signs similar to those of feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR). Calicivirus is transmitted in the respiratory secretions of an infected cat.
Signs Of Calicivirus In Cats
Like FVR, signs of calicivirus include sneezing, coughing, runny eyes and nose, fever, lethargy, heavy drooling, and lack of appetite. If the eyes are involved, the cat squints and has a heavy mucous discharge from the eyes. Calicivirus can also cause sores on the mouth and tongue. Calicivirus is not so often fatal as FVR, but it is extremely contagious. Diagnosis is made on the basis of the clinical signs. The virus can be isolated in the laboratory, but this process is expensive and time-consuming.
Like FVR, signs of calicivirus include sneezing, coughing, runny eyes and nose, fever, lethargy, heavy drooling, and lack of appetite. If the eyes are involved, the cat squints and has a heavy mucous discharge from the eyes. Calicivirus can also cause sores on the mouth and tongue. Calicivirus is not so often fatal as FVR, but it is extremely contagious. Diagnosis is made on the basis of the clinical signs. The virus can be isolated in the laboratory, but this process is expensive and time-consuming.
Treatment For Calicivirus
Broad spectrum antibiotics that fight a variety of infections are used to treat secondary infection. Intensive supportive therapy is also necessary, and may include intravenous fluid therapy, forced feeding, and sometimes blood transfusions. Without this intensive care, a cat with severe calicivirus infection will not survive, but will die from starvation and dehydration.
Broad spectrum antibiotics that fight a variety of infections are used to treat secondary infection. Intensive supportive therapy is also necessary, and may include intravenous fluid therapy, forced feeding, and sometimes blood transfusions. Without this intensive care, a cat with severe calicivirus infection will not survive, but will die from starvation and dehydration.
Prevention Of Calicivirus
The calicivirus vaccine has proven very effective in controlling this serious disease. It's given as a 3-in-1 vaccination with the panleukopenia and FVR vaccines, first when the kitten is six to eight weeks old, then at three-weekly intervals until 14 to 16 weeks. Older cats must have yearly booster shots.
The calicivirus vaccine has proven very effective in controlling this serious disease. It's given as a 3-in-1 vaccination with the panleukopenia and FVR vaccines, first when the kitten is six to eight weeks old, then at three-weekly intervals until 14 to 16 weeks. Older cats must have yearly booster shots.
Calicivirus In Cats:
Pet Meds: Dogs | Pet Meds: Cats | Dog Health : By Breed | Cat Health : By Breed | Dog Grooming | Cat Grooming | Pet Top 10's | Pet Food Recipes
Pet Meds: Dogs Pet Meds: Cats Common Dog Health Issues Common Cat Health Issues Dog Grooming Cat Grooming Pet Top 10's
Pet Health:Home
Copyright 2006-2011 PetMedsOnline.Org
Online Store For Cats!
Find everything from basic grooming items and tasty treats, to high tech devices designed for pets!
Find everything from basic grooming items and tasty treats, to high tech devices designed for pets!
Pet Top Lists!
From the friendliest cat breeds to the most intelligent dogs, you'll find it all on our "pet top list" pages!
From the friendliest cat breeds to the most intelligent dogs, you'll find it all on our "pet top list" pages!
