Diseases of domestic animals: calcivirus in a cat

Calcivirus infection or calciviroz in a cat is an acute disease. It is accompanied by a sudden increase in body temperature in the animal and the damage to the mucous respiratory tract. Infection is quickly transmitted and is contagious.

Those cats who had been ill with the disease, subsequently have a persistent, and most importantly, long-term immunity. It is a viral infection, its causative agent belongs to the family Caliciviridae. All species of this group are distinguished by high sensitivity to solutions of chloramine and bleach. They are resistant to heat and ether. They prefer a moist environment in which they can live up to 10 days. That is why calciviroz in a cat is revealed much more often if it has open access not only to the street, but also to the basement rooms.

The main source of the disease are sick animals both with bright signs of the disease, and with a latent form. They excrete the virus into the environment not only from the nasal and oral cavity, but also with urine and feces. Therefore, it is safe to say that calciticosis in a cat appears during transmission not only by contact, but also by food, and aerogenic. Especially susceptible to this disease are young animals from 1 month to 2 years. Most often, the disease manifests itself in the cold season.

Calcitovirus in a cat can flow in different ways. Often the disease is invisible, has hidden symptoms. It is combined with other, mycoplasmal and bacterial infections, this fact causes a fatal outcome in almost 90% of cases . Such disappointing statistics are explained by the lack of treatment and neglect of the disease.

The first signs of infection can be easily identified. This is primarily a discharge from the eyes and nose. Gums are also inflamed, and they acquire an unnatural pale pink color. In a later period of the disease, ulcers can be seen in the oral cavity, while the cat begins to cough. Vomiting and difficulty with bowel movement are noted, the sick animal suffers from diarrhea, then constipation.

But in fact there is only one characteristic, which precisely determines calciviroz - this is the duration of the course. A cat can show more signs of the disease for more than a week, and then go on a recovery. But this is only apparent prosperity, because the disease very soon again makes itself felt. In this case, the animal regularly eats and drinks. This is also the cunning of calciviroz in a cat, its treatment must be continuous and timely. Of course, the asymptomatic form is much more terrible and dangerous. You can still see a playful and healthy animal in the morning, and in the evening get a lethal outcome.

Often, this disease is an epidemic. Where several animals live at once, the disease is quickly transmitted by air. It is not necessary to believe that if a cat does not have access to the street and lives only in an apartment, then the calciviroz is not afraid of it. The owners can very easily bring the virus into the house on the sole of the shoe. That is why at the first suspicions it is necessary to immediately lead the animal to an appointment with a veterinarian. Of course, the opinion that calcitvirus of cats is dangerous to humans is mistaken, but it is still worth observing all the sanitary rules for keeping pets.