Feline Herpesvirus: Welfare Management Guide

Key Welfare Considerations

• FHV-1 infects the majority of cats globally, establishing latency in trigeminal ganglia after initial infection.
• Reactivation during stress causes recurring bouts of sneezing, nasal discharge, and ocular disease.
• Ocular manifestations including corneal ulceration and conjunctivitis cause significant pain and welfare impairment.
• Chronic carriers experience repeated welfare impacts whenever immune stress triggers reactivation.
• Vaccination reduces disease severity but does not prevent infection or latency establishment.
• L-lysine supplementation was historically recommended but evidence of efficacy is limited.
• Famciclovir antiviral treatment can reduce episode severity and duration in clinically affected cats.
• Stress reduction is paramount in FHV-1 management — minimising triggers prevents reactivation.
• Multicat households and shelters have high FHV-1 prevalence, requiring careful management protocols.
• Corneal ulcers from FHV-1 cause acute pain requiring prompt veterinary intervention.
• Nasal congestion impairs smell, reducing food motivation and causing welfare decline.
• Ocular discharge can lead to periocular skin irritation and secondary bacterial infections.
• Supportive care including humidification, gentle cleaning, and appetite stimulants improves welfare.
• Environmental enrichment and stress reduction protocols are key preventive welfare tools.
• Long-term management requires owner education on recognising reactivation signs and prompt treatment.