What are the clinical signs of cat flu?
Signs of cat flu are similar to colds and flu in people. FHV-1 tends to cause more severe disease, the major signs are inflammation of the lining around the eye (conjunctivitis) and nose (rhinitis). This causes a clear discharge from the nose and eyes which becomes thickened and purulent as the disease progresses due to secondary bacterial infection. Cats tend to be dull and depressed with a raised temperature, sneezing and are reluctant to eat. Coughing is also a feature in some cases. Rarely the virus will cause skin lesions and invade the lungs causing pneumonia. Without treatment signs usually resolve in 2-3 weeks but some cats are left with a chronic, intermittent nasal discharge or eye disease. FCV tends to cause less serious disease, but clinical signs are dependent on the strain of virus that is involved. Mouth ulceration can be a prominent feature of the disease causing severe inappetance. Ulcers may also sometimes occur on the tongue, nose and hard palate. Some strains of FCV
