Companion Animals

Companion Cat Feline Herpesvirus and Respiratory Welfare

Management of feline herpesvirus-1 infections and welfare of cats with chronic respiratory disease.

Key Facts

Feline herpesvirus-1 is a lifelong infection causing recurrent upper respiratory signs
Stress triggers recurrent bouts of eye and respiratory disease
L-lysine supplementation may reduce recurrence in some cats
Antiviral eye drops effectively treat corneal ulcers caused by FHV-1
Vaccination reduces severity but does not prevent FHV-1 infection or latency

Welfare Considerations

FHV-1 causes chronic recurrent respiratory and eye disease that reduces quality of life, and stress management combined with antiviral treatment significantly improves welfare.

What You Can Do

Reduce stress triggers for cats with recurrent FHV-1 disease
Use antiviral eye drops promptly for eye flare-ups
Vaccinate cats to reduce disease severity if exposed to FHV-1