Feline Rhinotracheitis

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Condition

Disease Overview

Rhinotracheitis is a respiratory disease caused by herpesvirus-1. “Rhinotracheitis” means inflammation of the nose and windpipe, or trachea. Herpesvirus-1 also affects the reproductive tract and can cause problems during pregnancy. Feline herpesvirus type 1 is responsible for 80% to 90% of infectious feline upper respiratory diseases.⁶

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Transmission

Feline rhinotracheitis is spread between cats through direct contact with the eyes or nose of an infected cat or through contaminated objects, such as food and water bowls.

Clinical Signs

Sneezing
Discharge from the eyes and nose
Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane lining the eyelid)

Risk Factors

Cats that board often or come from a shelter environment
Cats in multiple cat households
Kittens and elderly cats have a higher risk of infection⁷
Indoor/outdoor cats are both at risk

References

American Association of Feline Practitioners. Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force. Feline vaccines: benefits and risks. Available at: http://www.avma.org/vafstf/rbbroch.asp. Accessed December 29, 2011.
Gaskell R, Dawson S, Radford A. Feline respiratory disease. In: Greene CE, ed. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders/Elsevier; 2006:149.