Rhinotracheitis in cats is a disease of viral etiology that affects the respiratory system.
Symptoms
The development of the pathological process is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- rhinitis;
- cough;
- increase in body temperature;
- inflammation of the bronchopulmonary system;
- Lacrimation, eyelid adhesion, purulent discharge, narrowing of the eye socket.
The provoking factor for the development of the disease is a type of feline herpesvirus. Cats are susceptible to its effects at any age, but the disease is especially dangerous for kittens, because for them it often ends in death. The way rhinotracheitis spreads is airborne. The virus itself is considered highly contagious, which contributes to the rapid spread of the disease among animals when they are kept in groups.
Treatment
Treatment of the cat is carried out comprehensively. Its basis is symptomatic therapy, which eliminates the symptoms of the disease, and the prescription of antiviral drugs. The eyes require special attention in the treatment of rhinotracheitis. In order to prevent corneal ulceration, the eye sack is treated with an eye ointment with antibiotic or acyclovir. The treatment is given at least 5 times a day.
To get rid of nasal oozing, naphthisin is prescribed. The throat of a sick animal and its oral cavity should be rinsed with chlorhexidine no more than 4 times a day. If the disease is accompanied by fever, together with nasal effusion and increased salivation it leads to dehydration. The lack of water is compensated by the administration of glucose and sodium chloride.