How is FPV transmitted?

FPV is shed in the feces of infected cats and can survive for up to a year in the environment. Cats can become infected by ingesting contaminated feces or objects, such as food bowls, litter boxes or bedding. Humans can also carry the virus on their shoes or clothing and introduce it to new cats. The incubation period of FPV is 2 to 14 days.

How is FPV diagnosed?

FPV is usually diagnosed based on clinical signs, history and physical examination. A blood test can reveal a severe decrease in white blood cells (neutropenia and lymphopenia), which is a hallmark of FPV infection. A fecal test can detect viral antigen or DNA using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. However, these tests may not be conclusive as some cats may shed the virus intermittently or not at all.

How is FPV treated?

There is no specific treatment for FPV infection. The main goal of therapy is to provide supportive care and prevent secondary infections. This may include fluid therapy, electrolyte supplementation, antiemetic drugs, antibiotics, deworming and immunotherapy. The prognosis of FPV infection depends on the age, immune status and severity of the disease. Some cats may recover completely, while others may die despite intensive care.

How is FPV prevented?

The best way to prevent FPV infection is to vaccinate cats against the virus. Kittens should receive their first vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks of age and then booster shots every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Adult cats should receive annual revaccination or as recommended by the veterinarian. Vaccination can protect cats against most strains of FPV, but not all. Therefore, it is also important to isolate sick cats from healthy ones, disinfect contaminated surfaces and objects with bleach or other effective agents, and practice good hygiene when handling infected cats.

Feline Calicivirus (FCV)

FCV is a highly contagious virus that belongs to the calicivirus family. It infects cats worldwide and causes a mild to severe respiratory infection and oral disease. It is especially common in shelters and breeding colonies and often infects young cats. Most cats recover completely after a calicivirus infection, but some may develop chronic complications such as gingivitis, stomatitis or arthritis. Rarely, FCV can mutate into a virulent strain that causes systemic disease with multiple organ failure or death.

How is FCV transmitted?

FCV is shed in the saliva, nasal mucus and eye discharge of infected cats. Cats can become infected by direct contact with these secretions or by aerosol droplets that spread when cats sneeze. FCV can also be found in urine, feces and blood of some cats. FCV can survive on surfaces for up to a month and can be transmitted by fomites such as food bowls, litter boxes or bedding. Humans can also carry the virus on their hands or clothing and introduce it to new cats. The incubation period of FCV is 2 to 6 days.

How is FCV diagnosed?

FCV is usually diagnosed based on clinical signs, history and physical examination. A swab sample from the mouth, nose or eye can be tested for viral antigen or DNA using ELISA or PCR, respectively. However, these tests may not be conclusive as some cats may shed the virus intermittently or not at all. A blood test can measure the antibody level (titer) against FCV, but this may not distinguish between natural exposure and vaccination.

How is FCV treated?

There is no specific treatment for FCV infection. The main goal of therapy is to provide supportive care and relieve symptoms. This may include fluid therapy, electrolyte supplementation, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, antiviral drugs and painkillers. The prognosis of FCV infection depends on the strain, immune status and severity of the disease. Most cats recover within 1 to 2 weeks, but some may develop chronic or recurrent problems.

How is FCV prevented?

The best way to prevent FCV infection is to vaccinate cats against the virus. Kittens should receive their first vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks of age and then booster shots every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Adult cats should receive annual revaccination or as recommended by the veterinarian. Vaccination can protect cats against most strains of FCV, but not all. Therefore, it is also important to isolate sick cats from healthy ones, disinfect contaminated surfaces and objects with bleach or other effective agents, and practice good hygiene when handling infected cats.

Feline Coronavirus (FCoV)

FCoV is a common virus that belongs to the coronavirus family. It infects cats worldwide and has two different forms: feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) that infects the intestines and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) that causes the disease feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). FECV usually causes asymptomatic infection or mild diarrhea, while FIPV causes a fatal systemic disease with inflammation of various organs. FCoV does not harm humans or other animals.

How is FCoV transmitted?

FCoV is shed in the feces of infected cats and can survive for several weeks in the environment. Cats can become infected by ingesting contaminated feces or objects, such as food bowls, litter boxes or bedding. The virus can also be transmitted by saliva, nasal mucus or blood of some cats. FCoV can mutate from FECV to FIPV within a cat’s body due to random errors during viral replication. The factors that trigger this mutation are not fully understood, but they may include genetic susceptibility, immune status and environmental stress.

How is FCoV diagnosed?

FCoV is usually diagnosed based on clinical signs, history and physical examination. A fecal test can detect viral antigen or DNA using ELISA or PCR, respectively. However, these tests may not be conclusive as some cats may shed the virus intermittently or not at all. A blood test can measure the antibody level (titer) against FCoV, but this may not distinguish between FECV and FIPV infection. A fluid sample from the abdomen or chest can be tested for viral antigen or DNA using ELISA or PCR, respectively. These tests are more specific for FIPV infection, but they may not be sensitive enough to detect low levels of virus.

How is FCoV treated?

There is no specific treatment for FCoV infection. The main goal of therapy is to provide supportive care and prevent secondary infections. This may include fluid therapy, electrolyte supplementation, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and immunomodulators. The prognosis of FCoV infection depends on the form of the virus and the severity of the disease. FECV infection usually resolves spontaneously or causes mild symptoms, while FIPV infection is almost always fatal.

How is FCoV prevented?

There is no effective vaccine for FCoV infection. The best way to prevent FCoV infection is to reduce exposure to the virus and minimize stress in cats. This may include keeping cats indoors, limiting contact with other cats, providing a clean and comfortable environment, feeding a balanced diet and providing regular veterinary care. Testing and isolating FCoV-positive cats may help reduce viral shedding and transmission in multi-cat households.