Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus cause chronic upper respiratory disease in many cats that profoundly affects their quality of life and requires ongoing welfare management.
Chronic feline upper respiratory disease, particularly herpesvirus, causes recurring bouts of sneezing, ocular discharge, nasal congestion, and in severe cases corneal ulceration that are painful and affect normal daily function. Cats with chronic nasal disease have impaired olfaction that reduces appetite and quality of life. Calicivirus oral ulceration causes significant pain that prevents normal eating and self-grooming. Managing environmental stressors to reduce recurrence frequency is the most important welfare intervention for chronically affected cats.