Calicivirus in Cats

What is feline calicivirus?

Calicivirus (FCV) is a common viral infection found in cats that is characterised by the presence of flu-like symptoms such as upper respiratory infection. It is a member of the Caliciviridae family.

80 – 90% of all feline respiratory disease complex is due to feline calicivirus or feline rhinotracheitis virus (feline herpesvirus). Dual infections with both feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus are relatively common. [1] Calicivirus usually affects the throat, eyes, nasal cavity and oral cavity in cats although sometimes the lungs, musculoskeletal system, and intestines can also be affected.

In the healthy adult cat, the mortality rate is relatively low; however, kittens, older cats, and immunosuppressed cats are at increased risk. Feline calicivirus is common in shelters and overcrowded environments. The geographical distribution of calicivirus in cats is worldwide.

Transmission

Infection occurs via direct contact, aerosol or fomites (objects such as floors, food bowls, clothing, caregivers).

Direct contact and aerosol:

The most common mode of infection is direct transmission from an infected cat. The virus replicates in the respiratory tract and oral tissues and is shed in the oral, eye and nasal secretions as well as urine and feces.

Indirect contact and carrier cats:

• Contaminated food bowls, litter trays, flooring, bedding, caregivers etc. Calicivirus is resistant to many disinfectants and can live in the environment for several weeks.
• Cats can remain carriers for years after infection, which means even though they have contracted the virus, become sick and recovered, the virus is still shed in excretions, and it is possible to infect other cats.

Once the cat recovers from calicivirus, he will either stop shedding the virus after two to four weeks or go on to become a chronic carrier and shed the virus from time to time, particularly during stressful periods or when he is sick. These carrier cats may or may not display symptoms when they are shedding.

Symptoms

The incubation period of calicivirus is between 2-6 days.

Several calicivirus strains can affect cats, and symptoms differ depending on the virulence of the particular virus causing infection. Some strains may cause mild symptoms only, others severe.

• Sneezing
• Conjunctivitis
• Nasal discharge
• Ocular (eye) discharge
• Fever
• Rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes)
• Salivation due to mouth ulcers
• Ulceration of the tongue and palate are most common
• Gum inflammation
• Pneumonia can develop with more virulent strains of calicivirus
• Calicivirus can cause transient arthritis in the joints of some infected cats leading to limping (known as limping syndrome) which has been seen in both calicivirus and also after vaccination. [2]

Secondary bacterial infections can complicate feline calicivirus. It is not uncommon for a cat to develop anorexia (loss of appetite) and dehydration which can further weaken an already sick cat.

Virulent systemic feline calicivirus

There is a particularly virulent form known as ‘virulent systemic feline calicivirus or VS-FCV‘ with a mortality rate of 40%.

Many symptoms also include the upper respiratory tract, as well as ocular discharge, facial and limb swelling, hair loss and ulceration of the ears, face and feet, jaundice and eventually multiple organ failure.

Diagnosis

Feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus account for 80 – 90% of all feline respiratory disease complex.

• If oral ulcers are present, calicivirus is most likely.
• If corneal ulcers are present in the eyes, herpesvirus is most likely.

Specific tests may be necessary to identify the pathogen involved. Not all veterinarians will recommend these tests as the treatment for viral upper respiratory infections is mostly the same.

• Polymerase chain reaction and/or viral isolation.
• Serology to detect coronavirus antibodies. However, this poses two problems. 1) If your cat has been exposed to the coronavirus (and remember, there are many strains) in the past, he will have antibodies. 2) It can take up to seven days for the cat to produce antibodies after infection, so the test may return a false negative.

Treatment

Treatment is generally supportive while your cat’s immune system fights the infection. There are currently no antiviral drugs available to treat calicivirus. Hospitalisation will be necessary for severely affected cats; however, most cats will receive treatment as an outpatient.

Medical therapy:

• Broad-spectrum antibiotics: Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections but may be prescribed to treat secondary bacterial infections.
• Anti-inflammatories: To reduce fever and relieve symptoms of lameness and ulcers.
• Corticosteroids: Can relieve inflammation associated with transient arthritis.
  
• Interferon is an antiviral that has shown a reduction in the severity and duration of clinical signs related to the virus.

Supportive care:

• Fluids to prevent or treat dehydration.
• Oxygen therapy for cats who have difficulty breathing.
• Clear discharge from the nose and eyes with a damp gauze soaked in saline solution.
• If the cat has oral ulcers, offer soft food, congested cats often can’t smell, warm the food to stimulate the appetite, if the cat has become anorexic, force-feeding may be necessary.
• Increasing humidity can be of assistance to the congested cat.

Update, January 2019: The Winn Feline Foundation has recently published a report on the use of two drugs that inhibit viral replication. Nitazoxanide is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic and antiviral drug and a nucleoside analogue, 2′-C-methylcytidine (2CMC). Both drugs have gastrointestinal side effects; however, a combination of the two medications at lower doses to avoid side effects shows promise as a future treatment for FCV.

Cats can shed the virus for 30 days after infection and in some cases, for the rest of their life.

Disinfection

Disinfection is vital as calicivirus can remain infectious in the environment for as long as 28 days.

Safety

• Disinfectants can irritate the airways, eyes and skin. Always apply in a well-ventilated room and wear protective handwear.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the correct dilution as well as contact time.
• Rinse where people and/or cats will come into direct contact with the surface such as cages and food bowls.
• Some disinfectants are inactivated if they come into contact with organic matter; therefore, it is necessary to physically remove organic material before disinfecting surfaces.
• Allow surfaces to completely dry.
• Do not mix disinfectants unless instructed to do so.

Prevention

• Routine vaccination of your cat. Vaccines can help to decrease the severity of the disease but haven’t been able to reduce its prevalence. Give at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age.
• Avoid overcrowding of feline populations and keep stress down, the more cats in an environment, the higher the risk of calicivirus occurring.
• Always wash your hands when handling cats; it is easy to transfer the virus to other cats.
• Quarantine new cats for one to two weeks before introducing them to resident cats.
• Isolate sick cats from other household cats to prevent spreading the virus.

Is calicivirus contagious to humans?

No, humans can’t become infected with feline calicivirus.

References:

• [1] The Merck Veterinary Manual
• [2] Cat Lovers Vet

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