The feline herpes virus most commonly infects kittens and causes sneezing, ocular and nasal discharge, and a reluctance to eat and play. With good nursing care, the vast majority of kittens return to normal within 3 weeks. Vaccinated kittens may still develop the disease, but the illness is less severe. Approximately 80% of FHV infected cats become latent carriers with a 45% chance of viral re-activation. Adult cats with eye disease due to FHV are more likely to be suffering from viral re-activation than from a primary FHV infection.

Feline Herpesvirus Is Specific To Cats.

There are also dog herpesvirus, people herpesvirus, cow herpesvirus, chicken herpesvirus and horse herpesvirus. In fact, most animals have their own type of herpesvirus. These viruses will not infect other species, i.e., when a cat has herpesvirus, the owner has nothing to fear as far as getting the disease. Herpesvirus is a common respiratory pathogen (infectious agent) that causes an upper respiratory disease in most cats. The virus is everywhere and it infects most cats in almost every cattery in the country. It is our belief that almost every kitten is exposed to this virus following birth as the virus is often found in the birth canal of the queen. As a respiratory disease, the virus is acquired by aerosol, that is one cat sneezing around another cat. The virus is killed by drying and sunlight but can live for many hours in a moist, cool environment. The problems associated with herpesvirus depend on the age at which the cat first acquires the virus. Neonatal conjunctivitis occurs in kittens who have not yet opened their eyes. In young cats, 6 months to 4 years, conjunctivitis (redness of the white of the eye)

How Do We Know It Is Herpes?

There is only one test that is accurate enough to be worth doing if one wants to know for sure if Herpes is present or not, and that is the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test. This is a DNA test that amplifies the presence of viral DNA so that even one single virus can be detected in a sample from a conjunctival swab. The extreme sensitivity of this test has made it somewhat problematic for laboratories to run. Prior to PCR technology, serum antibody levels were run but widespread vaccination against Herpes has made these results difficult to interpret. At this point, the clinical presentation of the patient is what leads to the diagnosis of Herpes in most cases.

Treatment

Treatment for herpesvirus involves the use of topical medications (drops or ointment) which must be applied frequently (every 6 hours) for at least 4-6 weeks. Viruses must live inside other cells in order to survive and reproduce. They cause infection by becoming part of the host cells and altering their DNA. This is the reason that treating a viral infection is so difficult. Anti-viral medications must act by altering the ability of the virus to reproduce without killing the host cells. Full recovery requires successful activation of the animal's immune system to eliminate the virus.

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