Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Feline calicivirus infection. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management.
- Journal:
- Journal of feline medicine and surgery
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Radford, Alan D et al.
- Affiliation:
- European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD). alanrad@liv.ac.uk
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a virus that can cause serious illness in cats, especially in adults. Infected cats can spread the virus through their saliva and eye secretions, and they often show signs like mouth sores, fever, and respiratory issues. Some cats may develop a more severe form of the disease, which can lead to high fever, swelling, skin sores, and even jaundice (yellowing of the skin). Diagnosing FCV involves testing samples from the cat's mouth, eyes, or blood, but positive results can sometimes come from cats that are carriers without showing symptoms. Treatment focuses on supportive care, including fluids and special food for cats that have stopped eating, and antibiotics to prevent additional infections. Vaccination is important, starting when kittens are 9 weeks old, and should continue throughout their lives, especially for those at higher risk.
Abstract
OVERVIEW: Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a highly variable virus. More severe, systemic forms of FCV infection have been observed recently. INFECTION: Sick, acutely infected or carrier cats shed FCV in oronasal and conjunctival secretions. Infection occurs mainly through direct contact. DISEASE SIGNS: The main clinical signs are oral ulcers, upper respiratory signs and a high fever. Feline calicivirus may be isolated from nearly all cats with chronic stomatitis or gingivitis. Cats with 'virulent systemic FCV disease' variably show pyrexia, cutaneous oedema, ulcerative lesions on the head and limbs, and jaundice. Mortality is high and the disease is more severe in adult cats. DIAGNOSIS: Diagnosis of FCV can be achieved by virus isolation or reverse-transcriptase PCR. Viral RNA can be detected in conjunctival and oral swabs, blood, skin scrapings or lung tissue using PCR. Positive PCR results should be interpreted with caution, as these may be a consequence of low-level shedding by persistently infected carriers. The diagnosis of virulent systemic FCV disease relies on clinical signs and isolation of the same strain from the blood of several diseased cats. DISEASE MANAGEMENT: Supportive therapy (including fluid therapy) and good nursing care are essential. Anorexic cats should be fed highly palatable, blended or warmed food. Mucolytic drugs (eg, bromhexine) or nebulisation with saline may offer relief. Broad-spectrum antibiotics may be administered to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Feline calicivirus can persist in the environment for about 1 month and is resistant to many common disinfectants. VACCINATION RECOMMENDATIONS: Two injections, at 9 and 12 weeks of age, are recommended, followed by a first booster 1 year later. In high-risk situations, a third vaccination at 16 weeks is recommended. Boosters should be given every 3 years. However, cats in high-risk situations should be revaccinated annually. Cats that have recovered from caliciviral disease are probably not protected for life, particularly if infected with different strains. Vaccination of these cats is still recommended.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19481035/