Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Feline Calicivirus Welfare

Managing feline calicivirus and its welfare impacts, including virulent systemic strains.

Key Facts

Feline calicivirus causes oral ulceration, joint pain, and respiratory signs with significant welfare impact
Virulent systemic FCV (VS-FCV) causes severe multi-organ disease with high case fatality rates
Vaccination reduces severity but does not fully prevent infection due to strain variation
FCV is highly contagious and spreads rapidly in multi-cat environments including shelters

Welfare Considerations

Calicivirus causes significant acute welfare harm through painful oral ulceration and systemic disease. Shelter outbreaks of VS-FCV can be devastating for both resident cats and staff welfare. Robust vaccination, isolation protocols, and environmental decontamination are the primary welfare tools.

What You Can Do

Keep core FCV vaccination current for all cats, particularly those with outdoor access
Implement strict isolation procedures for new arrivals in multi-cat environments
Contact your vet immediately if your cat develops mouth ulcers or sudden onset severe illness