Feline upper respiratory disease complex causes significant discomfort in cats and is largely preventable through vaccination in domestic and shelter settings.
Upper respiratory infection causes significant discomfort - nasal congestion, eye discharge, ulceration, and appetite loss in affected cats. Shelter cats experiencing respiratory disease during the most stressful period of their lives face compounded welfare costs from stress, disease, and unfamiliar environment. Vaccination programmes in shelters prevent the most severe disease. Home management of persistently infected cats requires stress management to minimise recurrence.