It is a highly contagious disease in cats and causes oral diseases and a mild to severe upper respiratory infection. It often affects young cats in age and acutely. The cause of calicivirus is one of the most common infectious agents isolated in cats with respiratory infection. This virus affects cats in It can cause disease in both domestic and wild cats.
What causes a Calicivirus infection in cats?
The cause is the feline calicivirus (FCV) and its members infect a wide variety of vertebrate animals, including rabbits, cattle, reptiles, birds and amphibians.
Why and how might my cat become infected with Calicivirus?
Infection most commonly occurs in multi-cat breeding environments. Especially in shelters and pet stores, where 25 to 40 percent of cats may be carriers.
Where infection occurs through direct contact with saliva, nasal mucus, and eye secretions from infected cats and through droplets of secretions that are spread when cats sneeze. The presence of the virus in urine, feces and blood has also been proven, and the infected cat gets rid of the virus within two to three weeks and remains pregnant and sheds the virus for several months.
"Exposed cats can become infected through direct contact with another infected cat or through environmental exposure to objects contaminated with infectious secretions."
What happens during a Calicivirus infection?
The incubation period for the virus before the onset of symptoms is 2-14 days, as the virus first infects the lining of the back of the mouth and multiplies in it, then moves to the other respiratory tracts and other organs through the blood, and in particular, this virus infects the lining of the mouth and the tissues of the lungs, cats often contract an infection in the system The upper respiratory tract and, in severe cases, may progress to pneumonia as the virus reaches the lungs.
Symptoms and complications of Calicivirus disease
Symptoms during infection with calicivirus are different according to the type and severity of the virus and also vary according to the severity of the disease. In the tongue and the lining of the mouth. Lethargy, slight limp and decreased appetite may also occur.
These symptoms last 5-10 days in mild cases, and up to six weeks in severe cases. During the course of the disease, an opportunistic secondary bacterial infection can also occur. As cats lose weight, infection can also cause pregnant cats to miscarry. Most cats recover completely, and the condition may develop gingivitis.
In some severe cases of infection, we notice more severe symptoms, high temperature, swelling of the head and legs with lameness, ulcers in the nose, eyes, ears, and foot pillows with hair loss, jaundice due to liver damage and appears as a yellow color in the nose and ears, and severe injury is fatal in 60% Of affected cats.
Diagnose the infection
Calicivirus infection is diagnosed by examining the signs and symptoms of respiratory disease, especially in cases of multiple breeding in shelters, for example, swabs from the eyes, nose and mouth are sometimes taken to diagnose the laboratory infection.
Laboratory tests detect the presence of FCV in two ways: by growing the virus in cells in a petri dish, or through the PCR test, a procedure that detects part of the genetic material for calicivirus. Both tests are equally effective, although PCR testing may be more common in some areas.
Treat the injury
Mild aunts are often treated at home, but severe infections require more nursing care, and the disease vaccine is the most appropriate way to avoid contracting the disease.
It takes constant care of injury and cleansing the nose and eyes. Using saline nasal sprays and drops to clean the nose, can be used. Certain drugs such as bromhexine help reduce congestion and increase the breakdown of mucous substances in the nose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce fever and reduce mouth pain, and broad-spectrum antibiotics can be used to treat secondary opportunistic bacterial infections, for example, amoxicillin acid combination Clavulanic.
"Most cats with uncomplicated calcis virus infection can be treated symptomatically at home."
Cats often lose their appetite for food due to congestion and ulcers in the mouth. Where it is advised to provide soft foods with a strong smell, which can be mashed to facilitate swallowing and slightly heated to increase the smell. If the kittens have not eaten for more than three days, they may need to receive fluids and intravenous nutrition, and an appetite stimulant may be prescribed.
Prevention of Calicivirus infection
Vaccines are the most appropriate way to prevent infection, although they do not protect completely, but they reduce the severity of infection when a cat is exposed to infection. The combination vaccine designed to prevent calicivirus infection includes vaccines against both Kaleici infection, feline herpes virus type 1 and feline panleukopenia virus, and it can be given by Injection or nose, which is the best method for rapid prevention.
Once the kittens reach six to eight weeks of age, they should receive a vaccination every three to four weeks, with the final booster dose given after 16 weeks of age. If the kitten is older than 16 weeks, give two doses of the vaccine, three to four weeks apart. Kittens should receive a booster vaccination every three years, unless they are in a high-risk environment and are breeding with multiple cats, in which case they should be revaccinated annually. Even cats that have recovered from calicivirus infection should receive booster doses, as they may not be protected from other virus strains.
Studies show that the nasal form of the vaccine results in faster protection against the virus, which may be helpful in containing outbreaks in shelters.
How can calicivirus infection be prevented?
In the event that your cat has an infection, you must isolate the affected animals and clean the food and water containers, the litter box, and other things that may be contaminated with the virus, especially in the case of multiple cat breeding,
Preventing direct contact between your cat and other cats will reduce the chance of your cat becoming infected. Additionally, following good hygiene and sanitation practices, such as washing your hands thoroughly before and after petting another cat, will reduce the likelihood of spreading the disease to your cat.
A dilute bleach solution consisting of half a cup of bleach per gallon of water is effective in killing the virus. Cleaning solutions containing phenol, such as Lysol, are also effective, but they should not be used around cats because they are irritating and toxic.
Objects contaminated with calicivirus can be disinfected by soaking for at least 10-15 minutes in a solution of bleach and water (1 part bleach to 32 parts water).
When you bring a new cat home, it is wise to isolate the animal from other cats in the home for one to two weeks while watching for signs of illness.
Are other cats in the house at risk of infection?
A cat infected with callus virus will be contagious to other cats during the incubation period and for at least 3 weeks after symptoms appear. A cat carrying calicivirus may always be contagious to other cats. Cats who are unvaccinated, young, or with chronic underlying problems are more susceptible to infection and may become seriously ill. For most strains of calicivirus, adult cats older than 3 years, or cats that have been adequately vaccinated are likely to develop a mild case of the disease, which may resolve without treatment.
Is my family in danger?
Calicivirus is a very special type that does not pose any danger to people or other types of animals.
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