Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Welfare: Upper Respiratory Infection Management

Feline upper respiratory infections are extremely common, especially in shelter cats, causing significant illness and welfare compromise.

Key Facts

Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus account for most upper respiratory infections
Symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, eye inflammation, and mouth ulcers
Stress is a major trigger for herpesvirus reactivation in carrier cats
Vaccination reduces severity but does not prevent infection completely
Shelter cats are at particularly high risk due to density and stress

Welfare Considerations

Upper respiratory infections cause significant discomfort including difficulty breathing, eating, and grooming. Chronic carriers can suffer repeated flare-ups throughout life. Environmental stress reduction, L-lysine supplementation, and prompt treatment reduce suffering and transmission in group housing settings.

What You Can Do

Ensure your cat is vaccinated against herpesvirus and calicivirus
Minimise stress in multi-cat households to reduce disease reactivation
Support shelters with good isolation and disease management protocols