How to Treat Feline Herpes

Feline herpes, also called FHV-1, is a common viral infection in cats. Like herpes in humans, it can never be cured and there is no foolproof vaccine against it. If your cat is prone to upper respiratory or eye infections or conjunctivitis, the most common culprit is the herpes virus. Some cats carry the virus and are rarely, if ever, ill, while others are stricken by chronic eye infections and life-threatening respiratory infections. There are ways to reduce the likelihood of illness, manage the condition and keep your cat relatively healthy, even in a multi cat household.

Instructions

1. Having your cat tested for herpes is an option if your cat appears affected by the disease, but generally cats are diagnosed by the clinical symptoms of frequent eye and respiratory infections. If you decide to have her tested, ask for the DNA test, which is more expensive but more reliable than the more common serum antibody test, which produces many false-negative results. There are bacterial infections like chlamydia which mimic the symptoms of the herpes virus. Treatment and management of both conditions differ, so it's important to understand what you are dealing with.

2. Establish a relationship with a vet who is very experienced in dealing with cats. Primary infections must be treated with antibiotics, but long term antibiotic use weakens the immune system so it can be a delicate balancing act. An experienced vet will help you to come up with a sensible medication regime and will be well-read in current research on feline herpes.

3. Maintain a stress free, healthful environment for your cat. Like any herpes, symptoms can flare up when the cat is stressed. Keep feeding times and daily routines consistent. Make sure your cat has a quiet, private area in your home to retire to when she needs it. Keep her litter box cleaned out regularly. If cats aren't feeling well, they may start pottying inappropriately outside the litter box and letting it get too full can further deter her from using it.

4. Feed a high quality diet consisting of at least 50 percent canned food and always provide fresh water. Cats with frequent mucous build up in their sinuses can lose their appetite for both food and water. Not only will a high quality diet be more nourishing and enticing, feeding canned food supplies water, which is extremely important to cats for kidney health. Cats fed an all-dry diet are often chronically dehydrated, which is why many cats succumb at fairly young ages to kidney disease or struvite crystals. Additionally a high quality diet supports a healthy immune system. You may want to look into raw or cooked diets for your feline friend.

5. Give your cat Lysine, an amino acid cheaply available in capsules or as loose powder at health food stores. This helps alleviate herpes symptoms in many cats by suppressing the amino acid arginine, which feeds the herpes virus. The recommended dose for a cat is 500 mg per day. Feeding canned food makes this easy, as it does not have a strong taste and can be mixed with the food. It will not harm uninfected cats so is safe to use in a multi-cat household. It takes about a month of Lysine supplementation to determine if your cat will benefit from it.

6. Make sure all cats in your home, including the affected cat, has been vaccinated for feline herpes. While this vaccination will not prevent the cat from getting the virus, it can drastically reduce symptoms.

Tips & Warnings

• Kittens are the most susceptible. Many healthy adult cats are immune to the disease and can co-exist with an infected cat.

• Feline herpes cannot be contracted by dogs or humans, only by other cats.

• Let your vet know of any supplements you are giving your cat. In the event your vet has to prescribe medication, she needs to know of anything that may possibly interact with the meds.

• Do not give unnecessary vaccinations to your cat as these weaken the immune system. No cat needs annual vaccinations, and indoor cats may not need vaccinations after the initial kitten series. Do your research on vaccinating cats and talk to your vet.

• Do not let your infected cat come into contact with kittens, as they are the moist susceptible. Most cats acquired the herpes virus when very young as they have no immune defense.