What Can You Do If Your Cat Has Feline Herpes Virus?

People always say "Prevention is better than cure." About 80% of cats have been exposed to FHV at some point in their life. It is difficult to prevent infections. Vaccination is available for FHV, however it is not 100% protective. Vaccinations can only help to reduce the severity of the cat flu and conjunctivitis. The normal 4-in-1 or 3-in-1 vaccination that your cat receives does cover FHV along with other viruses.

To attempt to lessen the severity of viral cat flu in cats, it is recommended that all kittens receive their three kitten vaccinations starting from 6 to 8 weeks of age and an adult booster vaccination 1 year after the last kitten vaccination. The subsequent booster vaccinations frequency can then be determined by the vet based on the risk of infection.

If there is low risk of infection by the viruses that the veterinarians vaccinate against, then it be best to give a booster vaccination every 3 years instead of yearly vaccinations.

Can I catch herpes from my cat?
No, only domesticated cats and their close relatives can catch Feline Herpes Virus.

Cat flu has many causes apart from FHV. Please seek veterinary attention should your cat develop cat flu and/or conjunctivitis. Do not attempt to self-medicate at the detriment of your cat or kitten.

Read More On Related Topics:

1. What Is Feline Herpes Virus Infection?
2. Is There Any Cure For Feline Herpes Virus?
3. What Are The Treatments For Feline Herpes Virus?
4. What Can You Do If Your Cat Has Feline Herpes Virus?

Is There Any Cure For Feline Herpes Virus?

Unfortunately, there is no effective cure for FHV in the cat. There is a saying that says: "Herpes is forever!" Like in the human, once infected, a cat can either eliminate the virus from the body, or it becomes a carrier and lives with the virus for life. This virus enters and hides in the nerve systems of the cat, thus protecting it from being killed by the cat's immune system. There it stays dormant in the nerves until in times of illness or stress, when the body's immune system is suppressed, the virus then resurfaces to cause disease.

Your cat will subsequently either start sneezing again or get its eye problem back. It is through this clever mechanism that FHV results in chronic recurrent cat flue or eye problems. Cats have an increased risk of becoming carriers if they are infected at a young age before they have vaccination immunity or mature immune systems.

Read More On Related Topics:

1. What Is Feline Herpes Virus Infection?
2. Is There Any Cure For Feline Herpes Virus?
3. What Are The Treatments For Feline Herpes Virus?
4. What Can You Do If Your Cat Has Feline Herpes Virus?

Tips On Bringing An Adult Pet Home

A new pet will need time to get used to your home. Your household must also get used to the animal's personality and needs.

Do not overwhelm the new pet with too much attention. It is likely to be already frightened and disoriented. While baby animals especially need a lot of time to sleep and rest, full-grown ones must also be given space to check things out. You should, of course, have pet-proofed your home so nothing within reach poses a danger to it.

If you have adopted a stray or abandoned animal, take these important first steps:

• Have a vet give your pet a thorough check-up. It may have picked up illnesses during its time on the streets, or through a previous owner's mistreatment. A vet will identify the health problems and advise you how to manage them.
• Get it vaccinated against serious disease common to its species. It is always heartbreaking for any caring owner to lose a pet to an illness that could have been prevented.
• Try to learn what its regular diet was before you adopted it so that you can gradually ease it into a new one. If you just take a stray off the streets and feed it nothing buy top-grade commercial pet food, it may suffer digestive upsets. First, give meals that are three quarters of its usual food with a bit of the new, then decrease and increase the relevant quantities over a week until it is comfortably eating eh new food only.
• Toilet-training, obedience-training and understanding household rules will take time. Be very patient. Never hit, frighten or scream at the pet if it makes a mess.