Herpesvirus infection in cats is a common and easily spread disease of the upper respiratory tract and eyes. It is a disease caused by the herpes virus FHV-1 and is mainly a problem in breeds with a higher concentration of cats or poor zoohygienic conditions. This disease is particularly dangerous for young or immunocompromised adult cats.
FHV-1 is shed in the eyes and nasal secretions for up to several weeks after infection. The main symptoms are sneezing, nasal discharge and eye involvement (keratoconjunctivitis).
Infectious rhinotracheitis in cats is part of a group of diseases known as 'cat colds', which share similar clinical signs. Other causative agents of feline rhinitis are feline calicivirus (FCV), Chlamydia spp, Mycoplasma spp.
