Every cat owner does everything possible to provide their furry friend with the best conditions for health and proper development. However, sometimes, despite our efforts, unpredictable things happen, such as various diseases and disorders. One of them is the so-called calicivirus, which is an extremely common and, at the same time, very serious illness, often taking a deadly toll among cats. It is therefore worth knowing what symptoms this disease has and how to react in case they occur.
Unfortunately, despite our efforts, our pet may fall ill with calicivirus. This disease is caused by viruses of a specific group. Even if you have vaccinated your cat against them, it is possible that the disease will still appear and attack your pet. Thus, as with diseases of a viral nature, it is an extremely contagious illness, spreading easily and quickly. It is estimated that such a virus can survive outside the host’s body for up to 10 days, which is a really long period. It happens that an unsuspecting cat guardian may bring the virus home, for example, on their clothes or shoes, thus infecting the cat. However, most often, cats get infected either through the litter box or through saliva. Therefore, it is essential to separate the cat’s equipment if you have multiple cats, so they do not use the same litter box and bowls.
This disease has quite characteristic symptoms, which appear between the 2nd and 10th day from the moment of infection. Firstly, an unpleasant odor comes from the mouth of our pet, and we may notice blisters on its tongue. A characteristic discharge comes from the cat’s nose and eyes. Additionally, cats develop a fever and drool excessively. There may also be difficulty breathing, due to possible pneumonia. At the same time, the cat’s throat and mouth become ulcerated, making it difficult for our pet to eat any food.
Calicivirus – treatment
If you notice the above symptoms, do not wait and go immediately to the veterinarian. The doctor will most likely prescribe a suitable set of antibiotics for the cat. The veterinarian cannot do anything more for our pet; we must take care of the rest. It is worth providing our furry friend with special care, for example, regularly rinsing their mouth with water to remove the dripping discharge. Due to the existing ulcers, it is also advisable to change the food we use to the softest possible food to make it easier for the cat to eat. Moreover, try to ensure the cat has calm and comfortable conditions so that it can rest as much as it needs and recover. If it is not necessary, do not disturb the cat.
Calicivirus is a severe viral disease that is hard to protect our pet from. What you can do is to continuously observe your cat’s behavior. If you notice any alarming signs, go immediately to the veterinarian. Even if it turns out to be a false alarm, it’s better to be safe than sorry.