Feline herpesvirus causes recurrent respiratory illness throughout a cat's lifetime. Understanding management reduces welfare impact from this very common infection.
Feline herpesvirus creates a lifetime welfare management challenge because the virus, once acquired, cannot be eliminated from the body. Recurrent flare-ups triggered by stress cause episodes of painful sneezing, discharge, and in some cats, corneal ulceration that is acutely uncomfortable. The welfare burden depends on frequency and severity of flare-ups — cats with rare, mild episodes experience minimal welfare impact, while those with frequent severe episodes face chronic respiratory discomfort. Stress reduction is the most effective preventive approach — multi-cat household conflict, environmental changes, and veterinary visits are the most common triggers. Acute episodes require veterinary assessment particularly for the eyes — corneal ulcers require prompt treatment to prevent scarring that permanently affects vision.